Really complex question - I wish it had gotten more play.
One problem is that it's an apples/oranges discussion when you compare venues. Saratoga, for example, handles $1 Million PER RACE. That's something like a month of Dania. Different ballgames, and the attractiveness of different bets changes. Small pools just can't create the big paydays. Imagine betting $20 across the board at Dania.
I was alluding to the fact that what's good for the fronton may not be what's best for the bettors. Which headline do you think turns the most heads:
1. Record 94% of Dania bettors cash tickets after Game 12
2. Lone bettor hits Superfecta carryover for $8,800?
Yes, Dania has determined that going to dime Superfectas increases their pools by 10 percent. But, is that the only measure? Is it worth it? (They lost ME in the process, BTW)
Personally, I don't buy the fact that the public is thrilled by cashing a wad of cheapo winners. I'd much rather see a really big one that you have to work for, not what amounts to a lotto bet (though with better return, I agree).
$2 Superfecta, no consolations, with full carryover (even to the next day), would do very nicely, IMHO.
