from the DRF:

NYRA seeks to uncouple entries

The New York Racing Association is seeking approval from the New York State Racing and Wagering Board to uncouple entries in a race from the same trainer provided the horses are running for different owners. New York is one of the few jurisdictions that is mandated to couple same trainer-different owner entries in maiden, allowance, and claiming races.

NYRA president and CEO Charles Hayward said the coupling of entries cost NYRA more than 300 betting interests in 2005.

According to NYRA senior vice president Bill Nader, the state board will open the issue up to public discussion and said if a rule change is made, it likely would not occur before 2007.

......

opinions?

most bettors do not like uncoupled entries.

i do not like coupled entries.

when you bet a coupled entry, unless you like the two horses about the same (vs otherwise individual odds), you are paying for a horse you do not want. it's great to get an extra shot, but you have to pay for that extra shot. taking a coupled entry, when you only like one of the horses, is like buying a $80 stock that you think is going to $120, but having to pay $100 for that stock, and getting an extra option that you deem overvalued (or worthless). in the long run, if you are paying $100 for $80 stocks, even if they are pretty good picks, you are losing money.

unless you like the two horses in a coupled entry equally, you can not bet that coupled entry. get a lot of coupled entries, and the betting aspect of the game is ruined.

uncoupling entries has its drawbacks as well. a lot of funny things can take place when you have uncoupled entried, but if it's a choice between handicapping what the motives of the trainers might be, or not being able to bet the race at all, i'll take the gamble.






Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/2006 07:55PM by Michael D..