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General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: toothman on November 24, 2025, 12:33:04 AM

Title: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: toothman on November 24, 2025, 12:33:04 AM
I've been wondering how much things have changed in the sport in the last ten years or so--.
Always thought of Yonkers leading the pack.
So I used the handle info on the USTA site and my abacus to compare the total track handles on Thurs, Nov 20. I have time on my hands now...Used Tues the 18th for PCD.
So these are the handles PER RACE
Monti---50,755
Yonkers-30,399
Chester-26,142
Pocono-19,535

Seems to me that bettors are turned off by the style of racing at Yonkers where horses outside the 5 rarely leave/try.
For a track that has been denigrated and disparaged as the quintissential "B" track, it appears that bettors like the product.
Is it becoming a haven for the gamblers? more driver antics?
And whats up at Pocono?


Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: Sakit on November 24, 2025, 09:54:15 AM
I've been wondering how much things have changed in the sport in the last ten years or so--.
Always thought of Yonkers leading the pack.
So I used the handle info on the USTA site and my abacus to compare the total track handles on Thurs, Nov 20. I have time on my hands now...Used Tues the 18th for PCD.
So these are the handles PER RACE
Monti---50,755
Yonkers-30,399
Chester-26,142
Pocono-19,535

Seems to me that bettors are turned off by the style of racing at Yonkers where horses outside the 5 rarely leave/try.
For a track that has been denigrated and disparaged as the quintissential "B" track, it appears that bettors like the product.
Is it becoming a haven for the gamblers? more driver antics?
And whats up at Pocono?
that’s not good news for harness racing
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: Grandstand Handicapper on November 24, 2025, 12:48:13 PM
Considering a massive amount of the handle comes from off-track, I have no idea what the majority of the general public looks for. I think they would be on two ants on the ground, LOL.
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: Lance on November 24, 2025, 06:02:30 PM
I remember comparing handles at Yonkers and BigM one weekend. If memory serves me correctly the handle at Yonkers was much larger.
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: NOTHING BUT TRUTHS on November 24, 2025, 10:01:19 PM
years ago in the aldrich years they wanted a million a night at northfield. i think they would hit it on the regular if im not mistaken.
not sure what it is now a days.
aldrich would play games and wait until the money came in. then he would tell the starter when to go.
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: Trigger on November 24, 2025, 10:12:35 PM
years ago in the aldrich years they wanted a million a night at northfield. i think they would hit it on the regular if im not mistaken.
not sure what it is now a days.
aldrich would play games and wait until the money came in. then he would tell the starter when to go.

I remember when Case blew up the pools there.

When the purses were $2000 more or less.
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: Equus Caballus on November 25, 2025, 01:03:46 AM
I've been wondering how much things have changed in the sport in the last ten years or so--.
Always thought of Yonkers leading the pack.
So I used the handle info on the USTA site and my abacus to compare the total track handles on Thurs, Nov 20. I have time on my hands now...Used Tues the 18th for PCD.
So these are the handles PER RACE
Monti---50,755
Yonkers-30,399
Chester-26,142
Pocono-19,535

Seems to me that bettors are turned off by the style of racing at Yonkers where horses outside the 5 rarely leave/try.
For a track that has been denigrated and disparaged as the quintissential "B" track, it appears that bettors like the product.
Is it becoming a haven for the gamblers? more driver antics?
And whats up at Pocono?

I’m willing to say the majority of these handles (85%+) are computerized bots betting for rebates
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: Papillon on November 25, 2025, 09:29:33 AM
I’m willing to say the majority of these handles (85%+) are computerized bots betting for rebates

I would say this estimate is close to reality

a few months ago i said the amount of CAW handle was around 50% at most tracks and was mocked and chastised --but then suddenly a few agreed with me

85% seems high but certainly within the realms of reality
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: NOTHING BUT TRUTHS on November 25, 2025, 10:49:27 AM
the public was betting a million a night on those $2,000 races. it was the only show in town most nights.
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: sledge hammer on November 25, 2025, 02:34:43 PM
Northfield's handle is down like every other track out there but they still handle more than most.
The explosion of sports betting apps being legal everywhere may be the final nail in the coffin.

Remember when horse racing was the only legal form of internet gambling? Wasn't that long ago. Now there's too much competition so the action junkies who bet racing just because it was there now bet sports and online casinos. So we're left with the diehard racing fans who are fewer and fewer by the day.
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: NOTHING BUT TRUTHS on November 25, 2025, 02:51:44 PM
I would say this estimate is close to reality

a few months ago i said the amount of CAW handle was around 50% at most tracks and was mocked and chastised --but then suddenly a few agreed with me

85% seems high but certainly within the realms of reality
caw's were not around when case was at nfld. people bet northfield to bets case alone. he was the money maker. they gave him a license. took advantage of it. genius.
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: Equus Caballus on November 26, 2025, 03:23:04 AM
I would say this estimate is close to reality

a few months ago i said the amount of CAW handle was around 50% at most tracks and was mocked and chastised --but then suddenly a few agreed with me

85% seems high but certainly within the realms of reality

I don’t think having seeded liquidity in the pools is necessarily a negative thing

I think the biggest thing that’ll help the wagering handles is fixed odds

Prediction markets are a textbook example as long as markets have consistent liquidity

The public is slowly but surely becoming more educated on exchange style wagering and the learning curve is there

Legally speaking, who knows with how slow things move in this country if it could ever become a reality
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: Still Like Harness on November 30, 2025, 04:31:00 AM
Fixed Odds ? In a ten horse harness race we would witness nine drivers fall out of the bikes so that they could all cash on the winner ! The race track would close, go BK and it's officially all over. I can't believe trump actually posted on Horseplop because he is the only one dumb enough to say something like "FIXED ODDS" !
Title: Re: Fun facts comparing handles at different tracks
Post by: pocketrocketwinner on November 30, 2025, 10:42:03 AM
I don’t think having seeded liquidity in the pools is necessarily a negative thing

I think the biggest thing that’ll help the wagering handles is fixed odds

Prediction markets are a textbook example as long as markets have consistent liquidity

The public is slowly but surely becoming more educated on exchange style wagering and the learning curve is there

Legally speaking, who knows with how slow things move in this country if it could ever become a reality

The CAW money simply adds to the takeout. Its not a positive thing. In fact, it's so negative that it is in the process of crumbling the entire industry.

A CAW operating at (-8%) adds an estimated 2% + to the takeout.

Any gambler showing smart betting in the fixed odds game would be quickly severely limited and ultimately banned.
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