Fairmount,

I guess you answered Boscar's question it's you that is in the place pools all around the country. As far as special counseling, you're not there yet maybe another Spa weekend in the back yard with Richiebee's guided tours will qualify you? If he mentions Schenectady call in sick.

Whatever works for you and is in your comfort zone that's turns a positive ROI cannot be argued with for sure. Those of us of a certain age cut our teeth that way and many old timers swore off exotics as voodoo for sure. When I started playing daily in the 70's there was only a triple on the last race, exacta's in the 3rd, 5th & 7th, Quinella's in the 2nd & 4th with early and late doubles in NY.
You had 9 races a day, no simulcast, no co mingling of pools on special days the Derby etc... NY had a separate wagering pool. You would bet out of town tracks with book makers and the Saturday NY feature had the bars packed to watch Frank Wright and Charlsie Canty with the only non triple crown televised racing.

Even the bookies resisted exotic wagering as they didn't want to get beat for a lot on a small bet. They capped exotic payouts at 50/1 and most even had $1,000 cap on a total payoff at first. That always made me scratch my head there were guys that would take $ 1,000 win bet at 10/1 but would only pay out up to $ 1,000 on an exotic bet.

I can remember my grandfather screaming at me calling me an idiot when I wasted a $10 horse on an exacta key as opposed to betting to win. He would think we were all nuts betting pick 3's, 4's, 5's, 6's, tri's & supers!!!!!!

Good luck,

Frank D.