Playing the Odds

I was intent to make it to the casino to place a bet on #4 in the Belmont Stakes. I certainly am not going to be learning the ropes and doing research on horses myself but because Mark Belling, local radio icon, appears very accomplished in the field and the casino with OTB is very close I am open to his advice. One Mother’s Day I was intent to use his recommendations but I was too busy with work. His picks were spectacular. I missed out there.

After placing many bets on one race after Mr. Belling first started distributing his immense knowledge of the sport I quickly determined that was not the way for me to catch a windfall. I had some winning tickets and some losing tickets and I soon recognized that playing the odds would be more appropriate in my case. Gaye Dawn’s advice, from the movie “Key Largo” starring Humphrey Bogart, is the approach I have set myself to. There is no sense in betting on horses that don’t give you great odds, your just not getting a sufficient return for the investment.

So I have been looking for long shots in his picks over the last …two years? but couldn’t make it to the OTB because of conflicts in my schedule. But I felt really good about his advice on #4 in this last Belmont Stakes. I felt sure I would finish my work for that day and make it to the OTB easily to place the bet. The job I was on took longer than I anticipated and I missed my chance. No matter. I was going to bet on #4 to place but #4 finished third. If I had put the $5 I set aside for my bet on show, I would have cleared over $25.

So if the odds are good I am just going to bet to show next time. I might not win as much but have a better chance to win with good odds. I would certainly make more money, get a greater return, that way than on betting a favorite to win.