The New York Racing Association will unveil a brand new $1 minimum wager on May 3, the opening day of Belmont Park's 59-day spring/summer meet.Dubbed the "Grand Slam," it gives bettors 27 ways to win a multi-race bet spread over four races. It will begin on race 5 during a normal, nine-race NYRA card; on race 6 during a 10-race card.The idea is simple: get your picks to finish first, second or third in each of the first three legs and then get the official winner of the fourth and final leg. In the first three legs, equal weight is awarded to winning selections; for example, a 10-1 winner has the same value as a 2-1 that runs second. But in the fourth and final leg, the selection must be the official race winner.
As an example of the Grand Slam's value, a bettor could construct a mythical ticket by making two picks in the first leg; three in the second; single the third and have two picks in the fourth and final leg for the $1 minimum and the total cost would only be $12 (2x3x1x2 x $1= $12). If any of the selections in the first three legs finish in the money and either of the fourth-leg picks wins, the bettor would be holding at least one winning ticket.In the event of a late scratch in any leg of the Grand Slam, the bettor will receive the actual betting favorite. Place or show wagering must be available in any of the first three legs of the wager for a horse to qualify as a winning selection; thus, a horse that runs third in a race that offers only win and place wagering will not be considered a winning selection.