by Trey Nosrac

Options and alternatives are nice to have.

Some people make wise and strategic decisions, and some of us make decisions like squirrels crossing the highway, but at least we have options. Options and strategies in horseracing are appealing to gamblers and competitors.

Below is a wordless riddle. By the way, “riddle” was initially spelled “redels” and meant “a word game or joke, comprising a question or written statement couched in deliberately puzzling terms, propounded for solving by the hearer/reader using clues embedded within that wording.”

Imagine a five-eighths racetrack draw for nine horses.
The wagering numbers remain the same as the draw.
The “physical” post positions for three of the competitors may not.

*Indicates the trainer/owner has an option:

7* (Has two options):

8* (Chooses after #7, has three options after #7 has chosen):

9* (Chooses last, four, maybe more, options, but I’m getting a headache):

Why not? These decisions from the owner/trainers would only take a few minutes. The physical post position spots selected for 7, 8, and 9 would be ready for the published page and morning line. Of course, the outside post options could be adapted for any size racetrack.

More choice, no costs, more fun – let’s roll.