superfecta and trifecta rules

[CLOCKERTERRY]

Janine has a notice from the IRB about the new "official" superfecta and trifecta rules. Six betting interests for a super, and five for a tri. Except if it is a stakes then I think they can go even lower.

I am holding out for when Illinois gets to the point of Washington state, and allows superfecta betting on four horse races. Then we will know we have hit the bigtime, and I will be assured of always hitting my supers.

http://www.barntowire.com/2005/IRBnotes051104.html

[Thomas Graham]

Terry:

To be more precise, the minimum number to card supers and tris remains unchanged, at seven and six betting interests respectively.  However, should the race be reduced by scratches to five and six betting interests, respectively, the super and tri can remain.

I like this because it's happened to me more than once that I bet a tri or super and there's a late scratch at the gate and the wager is cancelled (but I still "hit" it).  Or in the extreme, if a horse is declare a non-starter reducing the field and the bet is cancelled (that's happened at least once that I am aware of).

TJG

[CLOCKERTERRY]

To be more precise, the minimum number to card supers and tris remains unchanged, at seven and six betting interests respectively.  However, should the race be reduced by scratches to five and six betting interests, respectively, the super and tri can remain.

Good catch, right you are.

[Stat Man Steve]

Interesting, I'd noticed it too. 

On further thought, though, I've got a funny feeling we might see quite a few 7 horse fields scratch down to 6 and keep the Superfecta.  (And 6's down to 5's & keeping the Trifectas).  Remember how many of us were noting that some horses seem to be entered to help fill a race so they can finalize a card, but often scratch?  Now they can get their '6th & 7th Entry' so they can card the Trifecta and Superfectas, and not lose those wagers when the scratch that extra 'Filler Entry'.