Why does anyone ever bet to place?
I know of lots of folks who got started betting $2 to win, and $5 to place each race.
And, not necessarily on the same horse.
It's a fun way to have action, a good chance of collecting some tickets each day, and not lose more that $63 on a 9 race card in a worst case scenario. Yes, the opportunity to make "big bucks" is remote unless one runs the table, but it still can make for a fun......and profitable....afternoon.
If one wants to "stretch it out" from the $7 per race, going with a 3 horse quinella box can be OK for the $6 wager.....where offered.
If I've got a horse I really like that is NOT the favorite, it's very common for me to bet it solidly with a backup place wager.......if I'm convinced it's gonna be on the board. I do it most often when I totally discount the favorite. (edit: but I DO a double check glance at the place pool before making the wager, just to make certain it seems worthwhile.........and I define "worthwhile" for a backup place bet as recovering 50% or more of my win wager should the horse finish 2nd).
Last month, or possibly in December, a horse claimed from up here went down and ran in SoCal. She was made the favorite, and based upon my following up here, I completely tossed from the race. She ran out of the $$ and I cashed a nice Win and Place on my selection.
|