Dave in Dixie headed to Belmont Stakes

Horseracing Betting Lines

05/27/2010 - Elmont, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - California based colt Dave in Dixie will start in this year's 142nd edition of the $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 5. The addition of Ike and Dawn Thrash's three-year-old means that 11 will likely start in the final leg of racing's Triple Crown.

"It's worth a shot," said Ike Thrash. "He worked for the last time (before the Belmont) this morning and we waited until afterward to make sure he was coming."

Dave in Dixie worked a mile at Hollywood Park Thursday morning in 1:39 3/5.

Trained by John Sadler, Dave in Dixie was second in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita in February. He came back with a sixth to Sidney's Candy in the San Felipe and was a distant fifth, in his only start outside of California, in the Illinois Derby to American Lion.

Calvin Borel, who rode Super Saver to victory in this year's Kentucky Derby, will have the mount for the Belmont Stakes.

The field for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont will also include Dwyer Stakes runner-up Drosselmeyer, Preakness runner-up First Dude, Dwyer Stakes winner Fly Down, Lone Star Derby champ Game On Dude, Kentucky Derby runner-up Ice Box, Make Music for Me, Spangled Star, Blue Grass Stakes winner Stately Victor, Stay Put, and Uptowncharlybrown.

Wwwiisportsbook Horseracing Betting News

<< Cubs win pitchers' duel to take series with Dodgers
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tyler Colvin's run-scoring double in the bottom of the eighth inning proved to be the only offense, as the Chicago Cubs edged the Los Angeles Dodgers, 1-0, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Wrigley

<< Weeks' walk gives Milwaukee win in 10th
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rickie Weeks drew a game-winning walk with the bases loaded and two outs in the 10th, helping the Milwaukee Brewers rally for a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros in the rubber match of a three-game series

<< Tillman, Howard headline 2010 College Football Hall of Fame class
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pat Tillman and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard highlight the 2010 class for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. A total of 12 players and two coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivi

<< Dodgers purchase contract of P Miller, designate Ortiz
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Dodgers purchased the contract of right-handed relief pitcher Justin Miller from Triple-A Albuquerque and designated veteran pitcher Ramon Ortiz for assignment Thursday. The 32-year-old Mil

<< New York fillies stakes gain sponsor
Elmont, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NYRA stakes series, known as the Triple Tiara, for three-year-old fillies has gained the sponsorship of Betfair TVG. The series is comprised of the Acorn Stakes, Coaching Club American Oaks, and Alabama

Giants option Downs, call up Joaquin >>
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Francisco Giants optioned infielder Matt Downs to Fresno and recalled pitcher Waldis Joaquin from its Triple-A affiliate. Joaquin made four relief appearances for the Giants in Apr

Dolphins cut ties with LB Torbor >>
Davie, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Miami Dolphins terminated the contract of linebacker Reggie Torbor on Thursday. Torbor, 29, appeared in all 16 games for the Dolphins last season -- his second with the club -- and compiled

Golf Course Review - Aronimink Golf Club >>
Newtown Square, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - FACTS AND STATS: Course Architects: Donald Ross (1928), Ron Prichard, McDonald & Sons (2000-01). Year Opened: 1928. Location: Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Slope: 130. Rating: 74.4. Par: 70. Yardage: 7

Patriots bring back LB Burgess >>
Foxboro, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New England Patriots re-signed linebacker Derrick Burgess to an undisclosed contract on Thursday. The upcoming 2010 season will be Burgess' 10th in the NFL after stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (20

South Africa tops Colombia in World Cup warm-up >>
Johannesburg, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Teko Modise and Katlego Mphela converted penalties and South Africa edged Colombia 2-1 on Thursday in a World Cup warm-up at Soccer City Stadium. Modise opened the scoring in the 18th minute an

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.