Pocono Downs Handle

[theokodjak26]

Today the Monticello average race handle $71,000. Saratoga average $50,000. Pocono last two afternoon handles average a little less than $30,000 a race. Pocono has much better horses, drivers, trainers and 5/8 racing allows for more competitive racing where the outside posts have a better chance to be involved in many cases. So what gives here? Is it the bad reputation Pocono has earned regarding cheating?

[Yonkers1A]

Today the Monticello average race handle $71,000. Saratoga average $50,000. Pocono last two afternoon handles average a little less than $30,000 a race. Pocono has much better horses, drivers, trainers and 5/8 racing allows for more competitive racing where the outside posts have a better chance to be involved in many cases. So what gives here? Is it the bad reputation Pocono has earned regarding cheating?

Yes

[Bitter Truth]

Also betting options [50cent  rolling pic 3] certainly makes a difference.

[Jctoronto]

Sitting in east Toronto teletheater Monday

Keep making these observations

Noon Saratoga et start. Canadian crazies allowed to play 20 cent supers 60cent tris, win 4s pk5...

1210 Monticello. Canadian crazies get no discount. Buck minimum everywhere BUT I believe the start time and the straight foreward same horses and drivers each week makes people 'think' its easy. Its dirty as hell but there is a 'method to its backstretch madness' and i think veteran half mile and program players can readily follow.  Bigger handl. Bigger payoffs. Its in with our north of border getting gang

Starting later than thst, and often hard to find, Pocono canadian crazies get no discounts. Dollar minimums. (and much the same crew and nominal action as Harrahs Philly and its buck mins)

TV positioning on monday...
4 on one wall.   L-R. Sara Monti Parx Mahoning V.
No room for Pocono.
I looked around big room..found it buried. A couple places with Fairgrounds 130p, etc.
And on Meadows days even more lost.

UP HERE, POCONO CONSIDERED A PRICEY AFTERTHOUGHT.  THE BUZZ YRS AGO..THE 530P TIMESLOT IS NOW LONG GONE...OHIO and all its 20cent mins have clearly taken that timeslot.
Harrahs Philly..the feel much the same...no one cares.

[bello]

Pretty simple answer.

Open the program   see
Eckley
Dowse
Tanneyhill
Mosher
Pena

Look elsewhere    Inmates literally run the asylum

[Harness Stats]

You guys can correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Pocono's takeout in exotics is higher than anywhere else and that's the main reason the handle sucks.

[theokodjak26]

I believe the exotics used be a 30% takeout. Nowadays I believe it has been lowered to be somewhat competitive.

[MR.DALRAE]

Takeout is still the highest

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Today the Monticello average race handle $71,000. Saratoga average $50,000. Pocono last two afternoon handles average a little less than $30,000 a race. Pocono has much better horses, drivers, trainers and 5/8 racing allows for more competitive racing where the outside posts have a better chance to be involved in many cases. So what gives here? Is it the bad reputation Pocono has earned regarding cheating?

Goes to show you huh? Can't apply logic to an illogical situation. LOL.

[The Exporter]

Going back to the days when they ran Thoroughbreds, Pocohoe had a piss poor handle.

[dinkadoo]

1) Not a fan of PA racing - high takeout

2) Line up racing, guys will choke their horse to give a buddy a hole, no movement

3) Pocono should have a welcome sign out front -- Welcome one and all trainers with a shady reputation.