Even the Losers Get Lucky Sometimes

It's the hope that keeps them coming back. That's part of the allure of being a degenerate gambler. Or maybe that's just the debilitating addiction showing through. Either way, some down-on-their-luck sad sacks received a gift from the heavens Thursday at Belmont Park.

UPDATE, 2:40 PM ET: A source tells FanHouse that the New York Racing Association (NYRA) is paying off on both tickets (both the winning and losing superfecta), which will cost the track roughly $82,000.

Via the New York Daily News:

Placing judges at Belmont Park posted the incorrect order of finish for yesterday's ninth race, and the stewards declared the wrong result official.

The confusion occurred during the last race superfecta wager - during which gamblers attempt to pick the top four finishers in the race. ... The incorrect order of 8-14-5-10 was made official and returned $1,073 for a $2 wager.

It took almost three minutes after the race was made official before the mistake was realized. And following a 25-minute suspension, the NYRA paid off the correct winners (8-14-5-13), which worked out to $800 for a $2 payoff.

But there's potentially good news for the Eddie Mushes, too:

Those holding the incorrect payoff of 8-14-5-10 may still have a chance to cash, according to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.

"Chairman (John) Sabini will review all the circumstances that led to this," said NYSRWB spokesman Joe Mahoney. "We encourage the betting public to hold on to any tickets that they think qualify as winners until this gets resolved."

The lesson: don't ever give up. Because eventually, even losers get lucky.