Instead of turning in a $2 ticket that would pay $3.80 for American Pharoah winning the Belmont Stakes, most people who bought the tickets are hanging on to them as keepsakes — or even investments.
American Pharoah became the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the venerable Triple Crown. The 3-year-old colt entered Saturday's race as a heavy favorite — and it seems that thousands of people who bet on him to win were doing so in the hopes of getting a souvenir.
"Of the 94,128 $2 win wagers placed on American Pharoah from Friday until Saturday's Belmont, 90,237 (nearly 96 percent) remain live — uncashed — according to figures released Monday by AmTote International," the AP says.
Even before his historic win, betting tickets that backed American Pharoah were drawing a premium. CNN Money reported on Friday:
American Pharoah has returned to Kentucky, where he'll be celebrated for breaking the Triple Crown drought. The horse will continue to train and race, his owners say.
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