Balmoral Park (8/9/11)
Contact: Tom Kelley
(708) 672-1414
BALMORAL GUARANTEED PICK 4 POOLS REACH RECORD LEVELS AGAIN
$1 AVERAGE PAYOUT RISES TO $2,668 – AVERAGE PICK 4 POOL NOW $29,473
By Michael Antoniades, Chicago Racing Analyst
On the heels of a successful July, Balmoral Park released handle figures that continue to amaze. Through July 31, the 40 guaranteed Pick 4 pools handled $1,178,943 for an average of $29,473 per program. The average one-dollar payout was an unprecedented $2,668.31. With the help of the USTA and Track Master, Balmoral is in position to do what no track in the country has been able to do.
The Big M Pick 4 is the best bet in harness racing. Since the Meadowlands Pick 4 began, the Pick 4 dollars wagered on the Meadowlands disappeared when the Big M closes in August and they do not appear until the Big M reopens. The reason up to this point is that no track in the U.S. offered Pick 4 pools that the larger players could wager into except The Big M. The hope is that the improved Balmoral Pick 4 pools and payouts and the same 15 percent takeout can keep Meadowlands players wagering after The Big M closes on August 20 until the Meadowlands starts again.
Speaking of The Big M, I can’t express how great Hambletonian Day was. Total handle for the day was $8,290,762 and the Pick 4 pool was over $170,000. With races of that magnitude, they took enough time (6 hours and 41 minutes for an average of 28 minutes per race ) to have an outstanding television production with some of the greatest talents in our business having the time to do it right. There is a big lesson here that hopefully other tracks will follow on their signature nights. I urge harness fans to support The Meadowlands for their final two weekends.
Our sister track Maywood Park will now offer ten-cent superfecta wagering starting Thursday, August 11. The ten-cent wager will be offered on almost every race. The Friday Maywood Pick 4 now has a guaranteed pool of $10,000 with a takeout of 15 percent.
Balmoral Park races every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with a first post of 8:10 Eastern, 7:10 Central and 5:10 Pacific. The only ten-cent High 5 in harness racing is offered on the final race. Balmoral offers Guaranteed Pick Four pools every racing night with a $1 minimum and a 15 percent takeout. Sundays $25,000, Saturdays $20,000 and Wednesdays $15,000. The Balmoral Pick 4 is offered on the final four races.
Free program pages are available at the handicapping section at ustrotting.com.
My selections and harness racing news are available at oddsonracing.com.
For more information visit www.balmoralpark.com or call (708) 672-1414.
About Balmoral Park: Located in Crete, IL just 12 miles south of 80/94; Balmoral Park has been one of the nation's premier horse racing facilities since 1926. Balmoral Park features live racing every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission and parking is always free.
