There was a valuable lesson contained within a $411,188.06 payout in Gulfstream Parks Rainbow Pick 6 Jackpot on Aug. 6.The handicapping genius who was the only one to correctly select all six winners made excellent use of a $2,160 bankroll, electing to use 10 of the 11 horses in one of the races.While its hardly unusual for a Pick 6 player to wheel a race (using all of the horses in that race) or include virtually all of the horses, what stood out here was the horse left off the ticket was the favorite in the race.And thats why they call it gambling.By taking a stand against the favorite -- who finished fifth -- that handicapper wound up having the $59.40 winner on that ticket and was ultimately rewarded with a life-changing payoff.While cashing a Pick 6 ticket would be a dream come true for a modest player, anyone can benefit from the wagering strategy and confidence that went into that huge payday at Gulfstream Park.As much as some handicappers like to focus their wagers on favorites so that they can cash a winning ticket more often, these chalk players are actually working against the odds. Even if favorites win 33 percent of the time, that means they lose 67 percent of the time.Its those numbers that illustrate why a handicapper would always be wise to exploit a vulnerable favorite. Youre chasing bigger payoffs, and, yes, about 67 percent of the time it makes sense to bet against the chalk.While a handicapper should always strive to pick winners, sometimes it can work out just as well when you find a race where you do not like the favorite. By spreading your wagers a little more than usual in that race, you just might cash a ticket that puts you in the black for the rest of the day.And if youre worried that the horse everyone but you seems to like will beat you, remember, about 67 percent of the time that horse will lose. So go ahead, take a chance.In case you have forgotten already, thats why they call it gambling.To help in understanding when it makes sense to latch on to a favorite or avoid it like a cold, lets take a look at whats happening at the Graveyard of Favorites, Saratoga Race Course -- which is actually embracing the chalk in a manner more befitting Aqueducts inner-track meet.From July 22 through Aug. 12, there have been 187 races at the Spa -- not including steeplechase events. In those races, the betting favorite has prevailed in 72 of them, which amounts to a very respectable rate of 38.5 percent.With so many favorites crossing the finish line first, it would seem like nirvana for chalk players. But if they tried to stretch their luck into the exotics, they are no doubt struggling.While betting the two favorites in an exacta might seem quite sensible while youre analyzing past performances, in reality betting on the two favorites in a race, in the long run, accounts for low payoffs and a low winning percentage.As much as the second choice has indeed wound up second behind the favorite more often than any other option in the wagering, your chances of cashing on the chalk running 1-2 are less than you might think.Of those 72 wins by favorites at Saratoga, on 25 occasions the second choice finished second. That might sound good in theory, but it averages out to a chalk exacta happening 13.7 percent of the time -- which is a rather low mark considering that 11 of those exactas paid $10.80 or less.Interestingly, playing the second choice over the favorite in the exacta has generated much weaker results as it has happened just nine times, or 4.8% of the time. Box the two favorites and youre winning at a rate of just 18.2% (34 of 187) -- which means youre losing 81.8% of the time.What can help in putting those numbers to work for you is an understanding of when the favorite is more likely to shine or stub its toe.In breaking those numbers down by the categories of races, turf claiming races have been a weak area for favorites.So far favorites have been victorious in just 22.7 percent of turf claimers (5 of 22 races) and have been first or second in 10 of the 22 races (45.5%).In contrast, the chalk has thrived in dirt claimers. Favorites have won 17 of 35 (48.5%) main-track claiming races and have been first or second in 25 of those 35 races for a stellar mark of 71.4%.Favorites have also excelled in dirt stakes, where they have won 7 of 15 races (46.6%) and been first or second 12 of 15 times (75%), and turf stakes, where favorites have won 6 of 9 races (66.6%) with no runner-up finishes.If youre looking for an opportunity to cast a thumbs down on a favorite, the best spots have been maiden special weight races on dirt (1 for 5, 20%), maiden special weight races for New York state-breds on dirt (0 for 4), starter allowance races on turf (0 for 4) and allowance races on turf (4 of 14, 28.5%).Keep all of those numbers in mind the next time you stumble across a favorite that you dont like. Rather than follow the pack and reluctantly back it, by sticking to your first instincts, youll actually have the percentages on your side and you could be staring at your big payoff of the day.Yes, taking a gamble can certainly have its rewards, even if youre not playing the Pick 6.For more stories like this check out Americas Best Racing. Ryan Tannehill Youth Jersey .ca. Hey Kerry, big fan of yours, just finished reading your book. I think that we all saw the Canucks/Flames line brawl just after puck drop. It was obvious that something was about to happen, even to the referees because the fourth lines were on to start. Corey Davis Youth Jersey . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. 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The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta.Angelo Mathews insists Sri Lanka must move on from their Headingley glory of 2014 as they set their sights on more heroics at the same venue in the first Investec Test against England, live on Sky Sports. Mathews will be captain again when the three-Test series gets under way on Thursday, as he was when Sri Lanka inflicted an agonising defeat on England with the penultimate ball of the match two years ago.That brought them their first outright series victory in this country and for company back then, Mathews had Sri Lankas two greatest batsmen, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. James Anderson is left distraught as he is dismissed off the penultimate ball They have since retired from Test cricket and Mathews believes Sri Lankas best chance of more success in England is to allow the relatively recent past to remain there.Its certainly an inspiration, but its history for us, he said. We will cherish it for the rest of our lives, but we have to move on ... and look forward to the challenge starting tomorrow. Will England start their Test Match summer with a win over Sri Lanka? You can watch all the action live on Sky Sports from Thursday at 10am Mathews career-best 160 was the defining contribution to Sri Lankas 100-run win last time.ddddddddddddWith cloudy, often damp, weather expected, Mathews said: Well have to play our best cricket over the next five days to beat England, because we know they are a very competitive team.Especially in this kind of weather, playing against England in England, its a very tough ask.They must do so without the reassurance of two middle-order batsman who made more than 24,000 Test runs between them.We dont have the two legends now - weve got to move on, Mathews added. But theyve shared their experience, and its just a matter of our guys getting used to the conditions - theyve got the skill, theyve got the talent. England captain Alastair Cook with his team after losing the Headingley Test ion 2014 The ball will tend to swing and seam quite a lot, but dont get intimidated by the conditions - watch the ball and hit it.They will be without Dhammika Prasad, the seamer who ran through Englands top order last time with five second-innings wickets. He injured his shoulder in last weeks warm-up match against Essex.That is a setback for us, said Mathews. Hes our premier fast bowler, and performed really well against England here. Angelo Mathews says Sri Lanka must move on from 2014 Its going to be a big loss. We hope he can be ready for the second Test.Sri Lanka will wear black armbands at Headingley, following the loss of many lives and thousands of homes to floods and landslides in their home country.Were so sad to hear about all the casualties and the hundreds and thousands of people affected, said Mathews. We want to show our love and support. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with them.Watch England and Sri Lankas first Investec Test, at Headingley, from 10am, Thursday, Sky Sports 2. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: England v Sri Lanka on Sky Sports England fixtures/results Sri Lanka fixtures/results WATCH: Murali magic ' ' '