Santa Anita Park will offer California’s newest exotic wager, the 50-cent Players’ Pick Five, at the 2011 autumn meet that begins Sept. 30, the track announced.
The wager, which was originated this spring at Hollywood Park and was also part of the betting menu during the Del Mar summer stand, features a fan-friendly low takeout of 14%.
The Players’ Pick Five requires players to select five winners in five consecutive races and will be offered on the first five races each racing day.
“This has proven to be an incredibly popular wager since it was introduced approximately five months ago,” said Santa Anita President George Haines. “The 50-cent minimum is very appealing to people because it allows them to cover several horses in each race for a modest investment.
“The 14% takeout rate is something many of our best customers requested earlier this year and it’s certainly proven to be successful with this bet. There will be no consolation component to this wager, so our objective is to generate big pools and big payouts.”
Santa Anita also announced it will offer a $400,000 guaranteed late Pick Four on Breeders’ Cup Challenge Day, which is Oct. 1.
The late Pick Four will be regularly offered on the final four races each day. It requires players to select the winner of each race in that sequence.
Santa Anita’s fall meet, which replaces the traditional Oak Tree-hosted stand for the first time this year, will consist of 24 racing days and will conclude Nov. 6.
In conjunction with the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Santa Anita will hold the popular California Cup, a series of races for horses bred in the state, on Oct. 29.
