Re: Mitchell goes into the D-Barn... (486 Views)
Posted by: (IP Logged)
Date: August 05, 2005 02:28PM
I don't think "stiffing" a horse makes a lot of economic sense in most cases.
First, by stiffing your horse to cash a bet later you are potentially giving up a piece of the current or potential purse. Then you have to deal with the risk that the horse will go bad between the time of the "stiff" and the "betting coup". So you have to recover that much long term money/risk on your future bet just to break even.
A large enough bet on that "future race" will likely depress the payoff and you still have to deal with the risk of a horrible trip, the horse getting hurt during the race, or a surprise performance by a competitor that gets you beat.
There's got to be easier ways to make money. :)
I think "no try" prep races for first time starters that the connections know are short/green etc.... (and things like that) happen more often. Then the crackdown race occurs with an equipment change etc... when the horse is ready.