There was a valuable lesson contained within a $411,188.06 payout in Gulfstream Parks Rainbow Pick 6 Jackpot on Aug. 6.The handicapping genius who was the only one to correctly select all six winners made excellent use of a $2,160 bankroll, electing to use 10 of the 11 horses in one of the races.While its hardly unusual for a Pick 6 player to wheel a race (using all of the horses in that race) or include virtually all of the horses, what stood out here was the horse left off the ticket was the favorite in the race.And thats why they call it gambling.By taking a stand against the favorite -- who finished fifth -- that handicapper wound up having the $59.40 winner on that ticket and was ultimately rewarded with a life-changing payoff.While cashing a Pick 6 ticket would be a dream come true for a modest player, anyone can benefit from the wagering strategy and confidence that went into that huge payday at Gulfstream Park.As much as some handicappers like to focus their wagers on favorites so that they can cash a winning ticket more often, these chalk players are actually working against the odds. Even if favorites win 33 percent of the time, that means they lose 67 percent of the time.Its those numbers that illustrate why a handicapper would always be wise to exploit a vulnerable favorite. Youre chasing bigger payoffs, and, yes, about 67 percent of the time it makes sense to bet against the chalk.While a handicapper should always strive to pick winners, sometimes it can work out just as well when you find a race where you do not like the favorite. By spreading your wagers a little more than usual in that race, you just might cash a ticket that puts you in the black for the rest of the day.And if youre worried that the horse everyone but you seems to like will beat you, remember, about 67 percent of the time that horse will lose. So go ahead, take a chance.In case you have forgotten already, thats why they call it gambling.To help in understanding when it makes sense to latch on to a favorite or avoid it like a cold, lets take a look at whats happening at the Graveyard of Favorites, Saratoga Race Course -- which is actually embracing the chalk in a manner more befitting Aqueducts inner-track meet.From July 22 through Aug. 12, there have been 187 races at the Spa -- not including steeplechase events. In those races, the betting favorite has prevailed in 72 of them, which amounts to a very respectable rate of 38.5 percent.With so many favorites crossing the finish line first, it would seem like nirvana for chalk players. But if they tried to stretch their luck into the exotics, they are no doubt struggling.While betting the two favorites in an exacta might seem quite sensible while youre analyzing past performances, in reality betting on the two favorites in a race, in the long run, accounts for low payoffs and a low winning percentage.As much as the second choice has indeed wound up second behind the favorite more often than any other option in the wagering, your chances of cashing on the chalk running 1-2 are less than you might think.Of those 72 wins by favorites at Saratoga, on 25 occasions the second choice finished second. That might sound good in theory, but it averages out to a chalk exacta happening 13.7 percent of the time -- which is a rather low mark considering that 11 of those exactas paid $10.80 or less.Interestingly, playing the second choice over the favorite in the exacta has generated much weaker results as it has happened just nine times, or 4.8% of the time. Box the two favorites and youre winning at a rate of just 18.2% (34 of 187) -- which means youre losing 81.8% of the time.What can help in putting those numbers to work for you is an understanding of when the favorite is more likely to shine or stub its toe.In breaking those numbers down by the categories of races, turf claiming races have been a weak area for favorites.So far favorites have been victorious in just 22.7 percent of turf claimers (5 of 22 races) and have been first or second in 10 of the 22 races (45.5%).In contrast, the chalk has thrived in dirt claimers. Favorites have won 17 of 35 (48.5%) main-track claiming races and have been first or second in 25 of those 35 races for a stellar mark of 71.4%.Favorites have also excelled in dirt stakes, where they have won 7 of 15 races (46.6%) and been first or second 12 of 15 times (75%), and turf stakes, where favorites have won 6 of 9 races (66.6%) with no runner-up finishes.If youre looking for an opportunity to cast a thumbs down on a favorite, the best spots have been maiden special weight races on dirt (1 for 5, 20%), maiden special weight races for New York state-breds on dirt (0 for 4), starter allowance races on turf (0 for 4) and allowance races on turf (4 of 14, 28.5%).Keep all of those numbers in mind the next time you stumble across a favorite that you dont like. Rather than follow the pack and reluctantly back it, by sticking to your first instincts, youll actually have the percentages on your side and you could be staring at your big payoff of the day.Yes, taking a gamble can certainly have its rewards, even if youre not playing the Pick 6.For more stories like this check out Americas Best Racing. Chad Williams Jersey . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Mike Iupati Jersey . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. http://www.officialauthenticcardinalsshop.com/authentic-rodney-gunter-jersey.html . 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NEW ORLEANS -- Ersan Ilyasova sat in one locker room, both feet in ice buckets as he soaked in the afterglow of the Philadelphia 76ers first road victory in nearly 11 months.Down the hall, Pelicans forward Anthony Davis sat in his locker, a black hood pulled up over his head, staring at nothing and clearly conveying his disgust without saying much at all.New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry had a little more to say, even uttering an expletive in response to a question about his job status.Ilyasova scored 23 points, Sergio Rodriguez added 16, and the 76ers snapped a franchise record-tying 23-game road losing streak, beating reeling New Orleans 99-88 on Thursday night.The victory was a gratifying one for Philadelphia coach Brett Brown, who contends his team has been improving, only to come up short in close games.Weve been trending that way, Brown said. We just havent had a win to validate it.The Pelicans became the first team to lose at home to the Sixers (5-18) since last season, when Orlando fell to Philadelphia on Jan. 20. The loss marked a new low for New Orleans (7-16), which was already off to a rough start.When asked if he was concerned about keeping his job, Gentry responded, I dont really give a (expletive) about my job status. Im going to work hard. Im going to coach until the day they tell me Im not the coach anymore. ... That is not anything I spend five seconds worrying about.Davis, who finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds, offered only terse answers to questions, including a yes, when as if he was more frustrated than at any point in his four-plus NBA seasons.Were just not playing right, Davis said. We need to figure out something.Asked for his thoughts on what the Pelicans might change, Davis said, play harder. He also said he thinks Gentry is doing fine.Langston Galloway added 19 points for New Orleans, but the Pelicans made only 12 of 40 shots during the second half en route to a fourth-straight loss and sixth loss in seven.Joel Embiid had 14 points and blocked four shots to go with three steals for Philadelphia, which arrived in New Orlleans on an eight-game skid and had lost all seven of its previous road games this season.ddddddddddddDario Saric highlighted his 13-point night by scoring eight straight Sixers points on an 8-foot floater, a layup while he was fouled and 3-pointer to help Philadelphia quickly turn a tenuous 85-82 lead into a 10-point advantage with 3:50 left.We have to learn how to finish games. Were moving the right way as far as the learning process, Ilyasova said. This game, we tried to focus ourselves as far as being precise, not turn the ball over and be smart offensively.TIP-INSSixers: Nik Stauskas scored 14 points, hitting five of seven shots. ... Forward-center Nerlens Noel, who has not played this season because of a left knee injury, joined the Sixers in New Orleans. Brown has said Noel could play soon. ... The Sixers attempted 40 3s, hitting 12.Pelicans: First-round draft choice Buddy Hield started for a second straight game and for the third time this season, but made only two of 12 shots, hitting both from 3-point range. ... New Orleans was 7 of 25 from deep.SHOOTING SLUMPNew Orleans led 57-52 at halftime, but fell into a fell into a shooting funk in the third quarter, missing 20 of 25 shots. The Sixers hit just eight of 22 shots in the period, but led 71-69 heading into the fourth quarter.We really just laid an egg tonight, Galloway said.MISSING PLAYERSThe Pelicans were short-handed, missing guards Jrue Holiday and ETwaun Moore, who both have toe injuries, but the Sixers have been injury ravaged as well. In addition to Noel, they were without center Jahlil Okafor, guard Jerryd Bayless, and forward Robert Covington, while top overall draft choice Ben Simmons still hasnt even made his debut yet because of a foot fracture.We dont have time to have a pity party or anything like that, Gentry said. Weve got to find a way to correct the mistakes.UP NEXTSixers: Visit Detroit on Sunday.Pelicans: Visit the Clippers on Saturday night. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '