Fable 3 Chicken Race Tips in Description

If you have 30k in gold, put bets on the three worst odds, and if one wins, you'll make a profit.
Quit mid cutscene if one of the two fastest wins, and try again.
Make sure to save before each race.
To make it slightly easier, save the game after placing your bets, and D-Pad maxes it out faster than analog.
Also when buying properties, regardless of good or bad, make the rent highest until you are satisfied, and then make the rent low to gain back the peoples' love. Or keep it high if being hated doesn't bother you.

Reparing houses sucks, but when you have all the houses, at full, it's on par with all the businesses, doubling your money. Since it's a hassle, you can focus on businesses only and you'll still make a decent amount. Or just buy the most expensive houses with businesses, and just repair those. It's a shame they never added a repair all.