August 25 Saratoga ROI Wagers go here

[cruzan200246]

Yes I realized my tardiness. Thanks

[JolyB]

Once again I managed to successfully hit an exotic bet and still come up with a losing total. This time it was a $15 trifecta on the Personal Ensign. The winning tri had the top three horses in pari-mutuel order and only paid $5.90 per $1. I also played a "hedge" trifecta in a smaller amount out of a desire to make sure I had the winning combination on way or the other, and in the process structured my way into a losing exercise. That can happen when the combination with the smallest possible payout comes in.

In fairness, I think that the Stewards were incorrect in their decision. It seemed to me that Abel Tasman clearly fouled Elate in deep stretch and probably prevented Elate from getting past. Mike Smith has been down this road before and may well have done a better job of pleading his case than Jose was able to. His post race comments almost suggested that Abel was more adversely affected by the contact than Elate was, even though it was pretty clear that Smith, who was whipping left handed, initiated the contact. I'm pretty sure that if the top two had been reversed, the tri would have paid enough more to have pushed me into positive territory. If I sound bitter, it's because I played that combination with real $$ as well (although obviously not as much) and was hoping for a positive ROI on a successful analysis.

[RUFFIAN]

“...Stewards were incorrect in their decision.
It seemed to me that Abel Tasman clearly fouled Elate”

============================

According to the discussion by the three TV commentators at the time
After watching the replay several times two of the three felt it was a 50-50
In fraction by those Jockeys

ABEL Did Veer in ~ But the replay clearly shows that ELATE Did ALSO

I agree with the steward decision
An unfortunate incident tarnished the beauty of the race

It’s probably a Sure Bet That Discussions Of
“IF decision was right or wrong?” Will Go On & On
With 2 Opinions = Depending upon who is speaking their mind

Had they reversed the decision there would have been a major outcry as well

This is nothing new in horse racing
Ya Win Some ~ Ya Lose Some
Some Will Smile ~ Some Will Cry
And Some May Never Understand Why

[JolyB]

The stretch drive was eerily reminiscent of these same two horses in last year's Coaching Club, with the same race riding, the same review and the same result.

I've always felt that the one whose actions initiate the contact is more at fault that the second one whose horse veers. However, there is no question that reasonable people may disagree, and your position may be influenced by whether your ox was gored or not.

I do wonder whether just as baseball umpires seem to have slightly different strike zones for all stars and rookies, do racing stewards have slightly different points of view for hall of fame jockeys and apprentices. Just my opinion, but if a young jockey had done exactly what Mike Smith did, he would have been taken down and given days.

[RUFFIAN]

''your position may be influenced by whether your ox was gored or not''

OMG! THERE WAS AN OX IN THE RACE & I MISSED SEEING THAT!
Way Too Much 'Catnip' May Be At Fault!

[Real Quiet]

You MUST be slipping Ruff. There were 13 Ox's running and I think I bet them all.

[cal828]

Originally Posted by JolyB

Once again I managed to successfully hit an exotic bet and still come up with a losing total. This time it was a $15 trifecta on the Personal Ensign. The winning tri had the top three horses in pari-mutuel order and only paid $5.90 per $1. I also played a "hedge" trifecta in a smaller amount out of a desire to make sure I had the winning combination on way or the other, and in the process structured my way into a losing exercise. That can happen when the combination with the smallest possible payout comes in.

In fairness, I think that the Stewards were incorrect in their decision. It seemed to me that Abel Tasman clearly fouled Elate in deep stretch and probably prevented Elate from getting past. Mike Smith has been down this road before and may well have done a better job of pleading his case than Jose was able to. His post race comments almost suggested that Abel was more adversely affected by the contact than Elate was, even though it was pretty clear that Smith, who was whipping left handed, initiated the contact. I'm pretty sure that if the top two had been reversed, the tri would have paid enough more to have pushed me into positive territory. If I sound bitter, it's because I played that combination with real $$ as well (although obviously not as much) and was hoping for a positive ROI on a successful analysis.

Well at least you hit your tri. Wish I could say the same. My ability to hit a tri seems to have gone far far away. Not sure where. Maybe Antarctica. I might as well be picking penguins.