Spring racing at Pimlico shows decline in handle

Horseracing Betting Lines

05/26/2010 - Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The recently concluded spring race meet at Pimlico Race Course showed a noticeable drop in wagering from 2009. The Maryland Jockey Club announced that average wagering figures were down nearly nine percent during the meet that ended Saturday, May 22.

"We expected the numbers to be down based on the Preakness figures, which dictate whether the numbers will be up or down for the meet," said Tom Chuckas, Maryland Jockey Club president and chief operating officer. "The build up to this year's Preakness did not match 2009 when Rachel Alexandra- mania took over the industry. But we were still able to generate the sixth largest handle ever in the 135-year history of the event."

The average daily handle dropped 8.7 percent from $6.854 million to $6.257 million. However, attendance rose almost 10 percent at Pimlico with the Preakness attracting 95,760 compared to last year's crowd of 77,850.

"We are proud of this year's infield experience and our partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Black-Eyed Susan Day which made for an outstanding weekend," added Chuckas. "Our staff is meeting Friday afternoon to begin planning for the 2011 Preakness. We will look for ways to build on the momentum that began here a week and a half ago."

This year's 135th Preakness Stakes had wagering of more than $52.76 million with the entire race card on May 15 totaling better than $79.million, sixth among Preakness Day handles.

In 2009 the respective numbers were $59.7 million and $86.6 million.

Sportautochance Horseracing Betting News

<< In the FCS Huddle: Top 10 FCS Offensive Linemen
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at Villanova are responsible for being liaisons between their teammates, coaches and athletic administration. Their guidelines say they must be willing to be

<< Orioles shoot for series win over A's
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manager David Trembley saw his Orioles put together one of their best games of the season that, funny enough, came against an Athletics club that they have struggled against over the last few seasons. Baltimore will t

<< Giants ace Lincecum puts focus on visiting Nats
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Though often a victim of a shaky bullpen this year, Giants ace Tim Lincecum knows the result of his last start is mainly on him. An extra-focused Lincecum is probably the last thing the Nationals want to see tonight

<< White Sox close out set with Tribe at Progressive Field
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A well-timed matchup against a National League opponent helped get Chicago's Mark Buehrle on track. Now he'll try to lock down his first road victory of the year and give the White Sox their first series win over t

<< Boston goes for sweep of Rays behind Lackey
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Starting pitching was supposed to be one of the Red Sox's strengths in 2010. That has been the case over their current four-game winning streak, but things could go sour quick if John Lackey can't find his form. The stru

Woods among British Open champs to compete in Champions' Challenge >>
St. Andrews, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tiger Woods is among 28 former British Open winners that have accepted invitations to compete in a four-hole challenge event the day before the start of this year's championship. The 150th B

Brodeur signs 1-year deal with Senators >>
OTTAWA (AP) -Backup goaltender Mike Brodeur has signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators, after spending most of last season with their AHL affiliate in Binghamton.The 27-year-old Brodeur was recalled to Ottawa twice last season, going 3-

Buehrle, Guillen ejected for arguing balks >>
CLEVELAND (AP) -White Sox starter Mark Buehrle and manager Ozzie Guillen have been ejected in Chicago's series finale against the Cleveland Indians for arguing two balk calls.Guillen was tossed in the second inning Wednesday by first-base umpire Joe

Wallace on fast track to replace Santonio Holmes >>
PITTSBURGH (AP) -Mike Wallace is on the fast track to replacing Santonio Holmes as the Steelers' primary deep passing threat. Byron Leftwich needed only one practice to realize that.During a 7-on-7 passing drill recently in a voluntary practice, Wal

Super Bowl may get name for Giants-Jets stadium >>
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -Being chosen to host the Super Bowl in 2014 may help the Giants and Jets finally get a new name for their $1.6 billion stadium.Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, the owners of the teams say the selection of the stad

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.