Lots going on here behind the scenes that most of us will never know.

A few things we do know: NYRA, unlike Churchill and Stronach is quasi-government. It is not privately owned. NYRA recently had a $450 million loan approved for the Belmont project. When folks likely started raising issues with folks in the higher govt positions, it was easier for NYRA to be persuaded (forced) to improve the CAW situation for retail players. NYRA isn't doing this out of the kindness of their hearts.

The fact they did not make it 2 minutes like the WIN pool rule already in place is telling. There were some hard negotiations with folks on at least a few sides of this most likely to end up at this timeline.

In Kentucky, the legislator who raised this issue has surely had some folks trying to get to him you can be certain. Translate that as Stop his bill from going forward that seeks to end or curbing CAW play at Kentucky tracks.

My other thought is truly if the exacta pools will see the massive hits as noted by a few here already. It is believed by some that only one group is responsible for the late hits that are in concert with the front runner that breaks bad, or a price horse FTS that fires to the front and all the exactas are pounded in accord with the start of the race. One person has theorized that high frequency trading could exploit the ancient tote system. The tote system that no one and I mean no one of note in a position to do so has said "Let's upgrade it." Not one word in the NYRA articles or press releases whatsoever about upgrading the tote system. Not one.

So, Boscar as much as I've sparred with you on this subject, I'll be very, very curious if the pools have the same money coming in late, if certain plays are hammered way, way below what is expected, and if the start of races at NYRA are reflected in the exacta pools.

The worst part of this is the condescending nature of folks closely connected to the NYRA circuit towards fans that aren't (to their eyes) appreciative of the changes. I really was born both in the wrong part of the country apparently and with the wrong attitude. I didn't know you could treat people so poorly in public or behind a keyboard and still be paid handsomely in a job where you rely on the public to make a living. But New York, New York loves these kinda guys . . .



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/2026 11:15PM by Fairmount1.