How did they ever

[SCUDSBROTHER]

come up with the idea to switch people to the favorite when their horse is scratched in p3/4/6? If you think about it,it is really odd to do that.Lets say there is a 5 horse field with 2 chalks,and 3 prices.If one of the chalks get scratched,then the people on the other chalk have to absorb all that money(their price on the p3/4 etc is cut in half.)The people on the 3 price horses get the same amount of payoff as they were getting before(when they had to beat 2 chalks,now it is just one,but they get paid like they beat both of them.)Like in the 4th at Colonial today.After one of the 2 top selections was sratched,I think the $2 pick 3 to the favorite was gunna pay about $50(it was paying $98 before the other chalk got scratched.)The favorite went off at 1/2.The winner went off at 5/2(paid $7.40)The pick 3 paid $337.80.

So the win prices would be $3(if the chalk had won,)and $7.40 (for the winner.)

$7.40 versus $3=a ratio of 4.4 more

$337.80 versus $50=a ratio of 5.7 or so.

Must be nice to beat 1 chalk,and get paid as if you beat 2 of them.That's a nice break they get.

[Pedigree Ann]

In the real world, one would expect a refund, but the tracks don't like to give back money. A consolation payoff would be another possibility; they do it with some bets, although it does reduce the size of the payouts for winning tickets, which has publicity value. I think it's habit mostly - they've done it this way for years.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

In California,they changed the pick 3(any scratches in the 2nd or 3rd leg result in consolations.)In the pick 4 though I think you still get the favorite.

[randallscott35]

Scuds,

Pinnacle doesn't give you the favorite. That's the way it should be.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Scuds,

Pinnacle doesn't give you the favorite. That's the way it should be.

Well,the way I read it,they give you your money back(not a consolation.)You get a 10-1,a 20-1,and then your single in the last leg scratches.What do you get? At Pinnacle you get the price of your ticket back(correct me if I am wrong,but that is what their rules say.)I didn't read about a consolation on that site.If Your single scratches in leg 3,then you're evidently not getting credit for the prices you worked hard to get in the 1st 2 legs.I have asked people repeatedly about this,but nobody has said they give you a consolation.They give you whiff(as far as I can tell.) Single the 1st leg if you play p3/p4 on that site.

[randallscott35]

You get a conso when there is one. With a Pick 4, when I got scratched out of Wonder Lady and the other horse on Belmont day, I got my money back rather than having a dead ticket put on Adieu. That's a plus, not a minus.