ARC stand to lose in Derby betting

TOP OF THE CLASS seems to be in a league by himself and would take some catching in next Wednesday’s Royal Oak Derby.

This son of Freshly Squeezed/ Crescendo having won the Easter Guineas and Midsummer Classic with consumate ease should be at prohibitive odds to win the final leg of this year’s Triple Crown. The manner in which the Glenn Mendez-trained three-year-old star galloped on Sunday, put broad smiles on the faces of  his connections who have set their sights on the $120,000 winners’ purse in the 2000 metres event, along with  the $250,000 incentive bonus from CLICO for clinching the triple and become only the second horse to do so since racing was centralised at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, in 1994. But while all the signs of  Top Of  The Class completing the feat look good for his owners and the sport, it is not the same for the promoters. The class seen in the chestnut by all, poses a slight problem for the Arima Race Club, who are sure to lose a significant amount of revenue through the betting on a day when the turnover is usually at its best.

Simple reason is that few will oppose Top Of The Class accomplishing the treble, and if so, will shy away from punting in the Blue Riband event on Republic Day. The win pool is likely to be hurt most, since few will shell out their hard earned cash to back this illustrious colt at very short odds and will prefer to go for a place bet on an outsider in the 18-horse field. At 1/9 or at best 1/5 in the market, Top Of The Class could also be damaging to both the Exacta and Quinella pools, as punters will be forced into making “Mister Can’t Lose”  their key selection, which makes little sense either way because, if he wins, as he is expected to, then turfites will not get value for money. Because of  this, wisdom will prevail and punters will instead support the superstar with their money in their pockets.

With a big slice in revenue likely to be lost in this classic, on the day when the betting is at its best, alternatives must be looked at to attract interest. The thought being thrown out to the ARC  management committee is to keep Top Of The Class out of the betting and allow him to run only for the purses. With the Merlin Samlalsingh-owned colt out of calculations the market will again become attractive to all forms of  betting, Win, Place, Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta. The seven or eight runners with only a glimmer of hope of denying Top Of  The Class the distinction of landing the Triple Crown, will then be the ones vying for positions in what becomes an open market. This innovative measure used successfully in the United States previously, will create greater betting interest and swell the lines to the tellers, bringing in needed revenue that otherwise would be lost on the day.