This isn't my worse beat, it's THE worst beat ever. I can't imagine anyone can ever relate a story that's worse, poker,sports, horses, etc.. I actually happened to see this transpire as I was watching the SA races on TVG, having bought a small ticket with my betting partner. On some of this, I'm going from memory but I've still got the PPs and an old story from the DRF so I'm sure the pertinent facts are correct.
On March 3, 2004 an off-track bettor made a small investment in the SA Pick 6. The pool started with a near $2 million carry-over and swelled to $6 million when they closed betting. The player was live going into the last leg with 2 horses after hitting winners of
$7.60
$20.00
$5.20
$4.20
$24.40
His two horses were 9/5 horse Memo House which represented about a $200,000 score and 75-1 shot Flying Kegan a no-hope trained by John Cortez and ridden by Kevin Krigger. Should 'Kegan win, unlikely as it was, the bettor would hold the only ticket which would be worth $4.4 million.
The chart comments say it much better than I ever could.
Flying Kegan chased the pace outside, bid 4 wide into lane,took the lead past 1/8, and broke down with a clear lead at 1/16 pole.
If that were me, I'd never bet another race.
