Saratoga and Northlands Parks are two tracks at the opposite ends of racing hierarchy. While Saratoga is for wealthy horsemen, elite trainers, and horseplayers around the world, most people have no idea where Northlands Park is (Edmonton). Northlands runs cheap claimers and Alberta-breds around a five furlong bullring. Saratoga had a $48,592 carryover entering Monday's card and Northlands had a $7,201 carryover for Sunday's card. Which was the better play?

Saratoga
Minimum: $2
Carryover: $48,592
Pool Size: $245,368
Takeout: 26%

$245,368 was bet in and $230,164 was returned to bettors.

Effective Takeout: 6.2% - still a negative expected return.

The Pick 6 was hit for $26,393 which was just slightly better than the parlay value of $25,822.

Northlands Park
Minimum: $1
Carryover: $7,201
Pool Size: $5,314
Takeout 24.8%

$5,314 was bet in and $11,197 was returned to bettors

Edge: 110.7% !!!

The Pick 6 was hit for $10,023, five times greater than the parlay value of $1,918.

The caveat is that your upside is limited at Northlands as a result of the small pool. At Saratoga you could have a six figure payday but at Northlands the most the winner could take home was the whole pool (which someone did). For me Northlands made more sense to play than Saratoga. Unfortunately all I had to show for it was three consolations.