The Rabbit effect on owners and bettors

[headstr8ner]

So Juddmonte Farms/Chad Brown enters 2 horses , Flintshire and Inordinate,  in the Sword Dancer and spend approx $16K EACH in nomination and entry fees for a Million Dollar race. Winner gets $535K and 5th place “Rabbit” gets $40K. That’s almost $600K. Winning Jockey  get 10% of the $535K ($53,500) and 5th place “Rabbit” jock gets 5% of the $40K ($ 2000) Or, do the jockeys split the combined $55,500 for their predetermined \"collusive\" riding? Maker’s horse, Roman Approval, ends up getting slammed by rabbit and comes in 6th when maybe he finishes 4th for an extra $35K to his owners.  The “acceptable” rabbit strategy seem unethical to me, especially if jocks share the 2 mount fees. Does anyone know if that’s what happens?

[plasticman]

It\'s just part of the handicapping process. Is it ethical? Depends on who you ask, there\'s plenty of \'unethical\' behavior amongst the participants but as handicappers our job is to view the process from afar and make adjustments along the way.

Would the game be better if all the participants were the most ethical people on the planet? Probably, but that\'s not reality.

[headstr8ner]

Thanks for the response. I fully understand the reality of ethics. But would it not be less of an ethical dilemma if the Racing Commissions made the two horses an entry like in non-stakes races?  Then the betting public would be less likely to feel “robbed”. I have been going to Saratoga yearly since 2 year old Secretariat won his first allowance race with his new rider Ron Turcotte.  Each summer, I find many more new track goers at Saratoga than anywhere else. They come with innocent and fresh minds and bet real dollars on numbers, names, looks, etc. They are unaware of “Rabbit” strategy, but sadly bet on a horse that in all likelihood will not hit the board.  Unfortunately, a trainer, owner, jockey and even the Racing Commission have no problem taking money from these patrons/bettors who are making all kind of straight and exotic bets using this Rabbit. How much money did NYRA/Travers take in on Inordinate who was destined to not hit the board?