I hear you and there's no arguing that the CAWs are a problem (that can be fixed in the way you suggest).

MY complaint is those that lay the problems of racing entirely at the feet of the CAWs, instead of what we really need - large competitive fields. These bring liquid pools, which make CAWs a (more) minor factor.

"The retail player can't make money anymore" sounds silly, when 10/14 races had exactas that paid at least 40-1.

(And why anyone would spend their time watching a 2-hour basketball game hoping to cash their +130, as opposed to a Pegasus type day, is beyond me)