| Abstract: | Racetrack betting markets provide a unique environment to study risk preferences of investors. In this paper, we define the effects of different risk preferences on the subjective and objective probabilities of winning at racetracks. Our results indicate that up to three groups of bettors participate in these markets: risk loving, risk averse with an entertainment value in their utility functions, and risk averse with superior information or analytical ability. We find that information flows from the tote board concerning the three groups' behavior may be used to earn abnormal and possibly positive returns. |
