[El Guapo]

Do any one know why chalk is word for a favoriet?

Thank you,
Paul

[Ganchrow]

From the by no means particularly authoritative phrases.org.uk message board:

Chalk - When a horse is the favorite -- or has the most money bet on it -- that horse is termed the "chalk." Interestingly, this term comes from the pre-computer era of the bookie. When a bookie recorded bets on a blackboard, the odds would change over and over as more and more people bet on the favorite. The horse became known as the "chalk" because the horse's name would disappear in chalk dust as the bookie constantly erased and lowered the horse's odds.

[Mudcat]

You are good to have on the forum, ganchrow.

[Willie Bee]

I had assumed it was because they used to always list the spreads next to the favorites, like SBR -2½. Never stopped to think about the old pony tote boards. Learn something new everyday

[pags11]

never knew that's why they called it the chalk...thanks ganchrow...

[onlooker]

Very nice Granchrow. "pre-computer era" what was that? Great history lesson.