Is the Pick-5 the Best Bet in Horse Racing?

[gam]

Looking at the payout of the late pick-5 at Saratoga, when compared to the pick-4, it definitely seems that way.  The pick-4 came back at $864.  While there was a 19-1 winner in the first (and extra) leg of the pick-5 it nonetheless paid over $55,000.  If you multiplied the $864 by 20 you get a little over $17,000.  So the premium for the pick-5 was more than three times the simple multiple.  No doubt pick-5s are tough wagers, but it certainly seems the payoff justifies the attempt, at least in many cases. 

[cherokeescot]

I’m struggling with the Pick 1 at the moment but I agree that not just at Saratoga but at other tracks too the payoffs have been disproportionately higher.

[gam]

I hear ya. My Saratoga Cup futility is representative of my overall play so far this meet. Fortunately, I've not bet much, so my losses have been minimal.

[turffan]

It is frustrating for sure. Had the first 4 races yesterday and an 11-1 shot leading mid-stretch in the 5th only to get caught in the last jump or two. Would have been worth $575 for 50 cents.

[spiderjohn]

Pretty tough—I was nosed out of a big one in the first leg last week. Had to watch the next 4 races play out. I think that I did have a much smaller p4.
Anyone who picks 5 straight deserves the $$

[turffan]

Jul 25, 2020 12:02:11 GMT -5 spiderjohn said:

Pretty tough—I was nosed out of a big one in the first leg last week. Had to watch the next 4 races play out. I think that I did have a much smaller p4.
Anyone who picks 5 straight deserves the $$

50 cent base bet. I played more than one horse in 3 of the races.

[gam]

As a general rule for me, I single two legs when I play it, not always heavy faves. That’ll allow me to spread more fully in the other three.

Late add: yesterday's late pick-4 at Saratoga $223, add in a 5-1 winner in the 7th and the pick-5 pays more than ten times the pick-4 at $2,357.