odds

In a Zoom call with members of the racing media, NYRA lifted the curtain Friday regarding the drop in Computer Assisted Wagering play after the racing organization put certain "guardrails" in place intended to limit the wagers of the CAW players. In July 2021, NYRA became the first racing organization in the United States to establish a timing restriction for CAW activity, shutting off the win pool to CAW players with two minutes to post. A more significant step was taken in Dec. 2025 when CAW players were not allowed...

Mike Battaglia, who has served as Churchill Downs's morning line oddsmaker for more than five decades, will retire from the role ahead of the 44-day spring meet and be replaced by Nick Tammaro, according to a press release from the track on Friday. Battaglia was responsible for setting the odds at Churchill Downs since 1974. He also served as the track's announcer from 1977-97 and later as a simulcast host from 1997-2007. "I'm very appreciative of everyone at Churchill Downs for the opportunity over the years," Battaglia said. "It's been...

Come January of next year, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) will limit Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) play one minute to post in nearly all pools, according to NYRA president and CEO David O'Rourke during Tuesday's Global Symposium on Racing in Tuscon, Arizona. By far the most aggressive step taken yet to manage CAW play by any track operator in the country, this will mean that all CAW players will be limited to a maximum six-bets per second when they bet into the NYRA product within one minute to post...

Jeff Siegel has been named as the new Morning-Line Maker for Santa Anita, replacing Jon White who announced his retirement earlier this week. In a release sent Friday afternoon, Santa Anita noted that Siegel will begin the positive effective with the beginning of the Autumn meet, Sept. 27. "Jeff is universally respected by his peers, be them horseplayers, horsemen, or his fellow analysts," said Santa Anita's Senior Vice President and General Manager Nate Newby. " We are excited that Jeff will be expanding his role at Santa Anita in taking...

It was an era of controversial stewards' calls, late money affecting the odds before the break, and tracks facing increasing financial pressure from government. It was a time when criticism of short field sizes was rampant, breeding operations continued to take risks on untested sires, and when sugar horses--those who didn't run often in order to preserve their stamina--were seemingly everywhere. If that wasn't enough, the age witnessed the rise of the Kentucky Derby as an increasingly highly commercialized party, as debates raged over when Pimlico's Preakness Stakes should run....