Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting
08/13/2009 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Humane treatment of thoroughbred racehorses has been front and center since the tragic accident Barbaro suffered early in the running of the 2006 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.
This week and next two major racing venues institute use of horse-friendly riding crops. Del Mar in California began using the new crop on Wednesday of this week and next week jockeys at Monmouth Park in New Jersey will carry the softer instrument.
"This is a great step for racing," commented champion jockey Garrett Gomez at Del Mar. "All the jocks discussed it and wanted to make this move. One of our biggest problems was getting enough riding crops for everybody. With Del Mar's help, we were able to get a big enough supply, including for riders who couldn't necessarily afford them. With the new riding crop, horses seem to react to the sound of the popper rather than from a physical reaction to the whip. It's good for racing and we wanted to be at the forefront."
Del Mar purchased 40 crops from four different suppliers so that an adequate number will be available.
"Both the jockeys and Del Mar are pleased to achieve this milestone," said Darrell Haire, regional manager for the Jockeys' Guild. "Thanks to the cooperation of Del Mar management, especially Joe Harper (track president and general manager) and Craig Fravel (Del Mar executive vice president), as well as Bo Derek and the California Horse Racing Board, we were able to attain this goal that will be beneficial to the welfare of the horses competing at the meet."
The new crops have been endorsed by the Jockeys' Guild, which represents riders on the national level.
"Del Mar management has been exemplary in their cooperation and communication with the jockeys," said Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockeys' Guild. "If all segments of the racing industry worked together the way that Del Mar has worked with the riders, many of the challenges that the industry faces could be overcome."
Monmouth Park's director of racing, Mike Dempsey, announced Thursday that the new riding crops used by jockeys will become standard at the Jersey shore track on Wednesday, August 19.
All Monmouth Park jockeys will use the new riding crops in all races starting that day. Riders at the Oceanport facility have used the softer crop in the last race each racing day since Wednesday, July 8.
The new riding crop has been mandated for use at Delaware Park and Philadelphia Park. Jockeys have been voluntarily using the lighter and softer crop at Saratoga Race Course.
<< Woods leads Harrington by one at PGA
Chaska, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tiger Woods fired a five-under 67 Thursday to
take the lead during the first round of the season's last major, the PGA
Championship.
Defending champion Padraig Harrington, who played with Woods on Thurs
<< Beckham '95-99 percent' sure about leaving L.A.
Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - England midfielder David Beckham has confirmed
that he will return to Europe in January at the end of his latest campaign in
the MLS with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The 34-year-old ended last season on loan wi
<< Schalke claims United is interested in Neuer
Gelsenkirchen, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Schalke head coach Felix Magath has
claimed that goalie Manuel Neuer is a transfer target for Manchester United.
The 23-year-old Germany international was expected to join Bayern Munich
earlie
<< Barca anxious to get injured Messi back
Barcelona, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Barcelona is anxiously awaiting the
return of Lionel Messi to Spain after the Argentina star was ruled out of
international action this week with a leg muscle injury.
Messi missed Argentina's f
Juve's Giovinco to miss opening games >>
Turin, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rising star Sebastian Giovinco will miss the
start of Juventus' Serie A campaign after picking up a thigh injury.
The Italy Under-21 playmaker limped out of the midweek 4-1 preseason friendly
loss to Villar
Villarreal's Rossi only open to top clubs >>
Villarreal, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Giuseppe Rossi's agent has warned
potential suitors that the Villarreal striker will only return to Italy with
one of Serie A's leading clubs.
The Italy striker currently plays in Spain but ha
Lightning acquire F Miller for F Artyukhin >>
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired forward Drew
Miller and a 2010 third-round draft choice from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange
for forward Evgeny Artyukhin.
Miller has appeared in 53 career NHL games, all w
Bolton's Megson voices striker fears >>
Sunderland, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bolton's Gary Megson is concerned that
his club could pay a high price if it fails to sign a new striker before the
transfer window shuts.
With only Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander at his disposa
In terms of sports wagering, the NFL is "the most popular game in town." The explanation behind that is easy.
It is called the "pointspread."
Many years ago, NFL games, as well as the more popular college games, used straight odds as a vehicle for betting. For example, if the Bears were playing the Giants, and it shaped up as a competitive contest, the Bears might be, say, a 7/5 favorite. If they were playing an also-ran, it might be 10/1. Well, there is a point where a line becomes prohibitive, as far as betting the favorite. And who would waste money betting an underdog that has virtually no chance? Such a setup did not contribute to promoting betting action.
But in modern sports betting, a "pointspread" is used.
A NFL pointspreads are exactly that, a pre-established point difference between the two sides that will, for all intents and purposes, create a handicap that evens things out, and in doing so, produces comparable wagering activity on both sides of that proposition. So in lieu of a odds figure in which to bet the team to win outright, the Bears might be a three-point favorite over the New York Giants, and a 17-point favorite over the also-ran. Now that the team that is the underdog can "get" points, there can be equal action on both sides.
In sportsbooks, this is usually done with efficiency by charging the losing bettors 10% extra - in effect, bettors are laying 11/10 on those games. So they are actually betting $110 to win $100. If they lose, they pay the "vig." If they win, they simply collect.
The establishment of the pointspread as the corner stone around which team sports like football can be wagered upon was truly what brought gridiron betting into the stratosphere for online football betting .
Don't believe it? Just take a look at what happens around the Super Bowl.
Stay with us here as we take you through the best in NFL action on a consistent basis, with advice columns as well as handicapping selections. If you're looking for college football betting, that's in our NCAA section, which you can reach by clicking here. And if you're looking for a different kind of football, such as the Canadian Football League, which we'll deal with occasionally, or the Arena Football League, which we really like, you can find it in our Miscellaneous section by clicking
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting odds .
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook betting credit cards
American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting