Next, we look at the impact on the tote board.
The odds change in the opposite way.
What we see here is a widening of the top-to-bottom $Nets.
This is the impact of even more winners being pushed towards the top. Now, some of this is caused by smaller fields.
Look at the 2017 stats. See how the $net was relatively even between the first 3 choices ($1.68, $1.66, $1.64), then dropped off at "FH" ($1.49)?
A summary of 2017 would be:
1st, 2nd, 3rd = best
FH = bad
RH = horrible
Now look at 2018. Thus far this year, we've seen the actual favorite rise a couple of cents, over the next two ranks.
A summary of 2018 would be:
1st = best
2nd, 3rd, FH = good
RH = horrible
In other words, favorites are returning more money at a slight expense to the 2nd and 3rd choices, while the FH has improved to become equal with 2nd/3rd. The RH has gotten even worse.
To say this in fewer words, the public is more dialed in on everything above the rear half. (This is shown clearly in the $Net ratio change.)
Another thing to say would be that some of the winning longshots of the rear half are being bet down so that they pay less.
