American tracks on betfair

Moratinos
It’s all about TV coverage in UK and Ireland, thus far Betfair’s base for liquidity in US racing. We have been deprived as far as TV coverage is concerned for quite a few years now of racing at a lot of the better tracks and circuits such as S Cal, N Cal, Gulfstream, Fair Grounds, Oaklawn and Arlington. As a result the so called bush tracks of Turf Paradise, Sunland, Penn National and the like have become mainstays as that’s where the money is as far as the Betfair markets are concerned.
On the days when Fair Grounds and Gulfstream are covered by Betfair, I am sure the turnover is a fraction of a track that has live TV coverage.
For me who at one time bet solely in N Cal (when GLD closed down) have had to move my tack so to speak and study and wager on circuits where there is someone at the other end of a potential back or lay of mine.
For those who crave to have all the ‘good tracks’ on Betfair, their day may come when the betting exchange can host wagers legally from the USA. Until then, I for one am happy to wade through the so called ‘rubbish’ tracks and rubbish horses and find a bet or two that someone out there will match.

Just as a point of information (I work for Betfair), we offer wagering on tracks we have agreemnts with. Some racecourse groups do not yet want to have their races covered by Betfair. We don't actually need their authorisation to offer markets on any event but we prefer to have contracts in place with track partners than not.

FG is owned by Churchill Downs (also Crc, CD, HP), and CD Inc is very tight on their signal, the tracks usually on Betfair are known here in North America to be quite open with their signal and the rates they charge.

Pythia
Agreements or not, contracts or not, if it ain’t on TV in GB and Ireland it’s hit and miss for liquidity. There will be those who argue that California works on Betfair without TV coverage but that may down to its late start and less competition and not because of Betfair live streaming or Calracing.com.
Anyone who’s tried to bet at these ‘away’ meetings knows it’s like dodging shadows at times. When I have played at Beulah which is another track without TV coverage, I asked for say 4.50 and a ghost appears and asks for 4.40. That goes on for almost every horse and every race until post time where there is some kind of market but mainly for and against the favourite. If anyone thinks that besides the likes of The Louisiana Derby, The Donn Handicap or the Arkansas Derby this wouldn’t happen at these ‘good’ tracks on the regular races is looking at a different betting exchange than I do.

Pythia,
Any plans to improve the betfair/timeform usa racecards?
The current format up is very poor to useless.

Sorry to be negative, but it has to be said.
Thanks.

Room for a lot of improvement * * * * *
a little improvement * * * *
No change * * *

I do most of my betting at SANTA ANITA,HOLLYWOOD and GOLDEN GATES and it can be a struggle,I like SUNLAND as well and winners are to be had if u study!!!

Many thanks for the very informative answers from all.
I live in Spain and bet, and watch, all the races on my computer, and it normally works reasonably so I hadn't considered the TV angle.
So, there might be better, or bigger, Betfair markets right now at smaller US tracks. I will have to investigate, but even now, for my purposes at least, I can generally get as much on as I want at Aquaduct or the like, which is seldom more than 100 or so euros a race.

FAWWON,
If you want good US form, (the best, I think) go to Brisnet and check out their 'Ultimate PP's' if you haven't already done so.

Santa Anita does very poor on here, not worth more than the tote.