When looking back at 2011 it just seemed that I struggled all year.  I just couldn't get a nice hit or a good streak going.  Mid-summer, going into the Saratoga meet I was even for the year.  I did ok betting Sar but then the post-Saratoga slump hit and I ended the year down $427. 

Looking at my stats I see two major reasons for the losing season.  First I did not hit any big pick threes.  I hit a few mediocre ones but no signers all year.  Generally I did not do well betting pick threes in 2011.  Note that win bet winnings were more than double pick three winnings.  Secondly, I did pretty horribly betting Woodbine harness.  Woodbine has been my key to past winning years but it was a real struggle this year.

But there were some highlights.  The Meadows continued to be a strong track for me (I just wish they offered a rolling pick three).  I did very well at my home track, Presque Isle Downs.  PID accounted for 26 percent of my total winnings - more than any other track.  And as noted above, I had a good Saratoga meet.

Surprisingly, thoroughbred winnings beat out harness winnings for the first time in a few years.  Probably because I did quite a bit of betting at PID.  The racing was very good there in 2011, with larger fields than in years past.

I opened up a Twin Spires betting account in the spring, specifically to bet the Gulfstream Park closing day Rainbow Pick Six.  No I didn't win that one but my balance stands at almost exactly what I originally put in.  Online betting comes in handy at times and I'm having fun with it.  I hit a pick four this year!  I hardly ever bet these and this wasn't a very big one - it was a .20 payout which Woodbine offers.  I plan to experiment with these in 2012. 

Of course online poker was a bust since the feds closed down PokerStars last spring.  I did get my balance returned to me.  I figured I won approximately $3500 over the seven years that I played on PokerStars.  I did play one live poker tourney here at Presque Isle Downs recently.  It was a $50 buy-in NL Hold 'Em.  I played well but didn't get very good cards at all.  I didn't cash and finished 11th out of 37 players.  It was a good learning experience and I will try some more poker in 2012. 

I played blackjack only once all year.  I was shocked one Saturday afternoon in early December when I spotted two $5 blackjack tables.  Unheard of these days!  And there was an open seat!  I sat down and played for a short while and ended up losing $30.  More $5 blackjack please!

Harness vs. Thoroughbred

Thoroughbred winnings    -    62%

Harness winnings          -       38%

By Track

Presque Isle       -     26%

Meadows             -    20%

Saratoga             -     10%

Woodbine Harness  -   9%

Gulfstream          -       8%

Belmont              -       6%

By Bet Type

Win             -   55%

Pick Three   -   25%

Exacta         -   10%

Daily Double  -   9%