On the heels of a very successful Southland Festival of Racing, Balmoral Park recently released figures that show the popularity of its Pick 4 wager continues to grow. The Pick 4 takeout was reduced 40% for the 2010 season

. The industry low takeout of 15%, which was instituted in 2010, has made a big difference.

When racing began in 2010, the January Pick 4 pools averaged $7,698. As word spread that Balmoral had reduced the takeout, bettors throughout the country responded. In February the average pool size rose to $10,277. Just two months later, the April Pick 4 pool averaging over $11,000 a night. Three months later, the results are pretty compelling.

The July Pick 4 pools at Balmoral totaled $212,641 for the 13 nights of live racing, averaging $16,357 per card. In 2009 with the higher takeout, Pick 4 pools averaged $8,888. The average 2010 July Pick 4 pools were 84% higher with the lower takeout than the July 2009 pools.

The average 2010 race in the Pick 4 sequence handled $92,410 in July, a sizable increase over 2009.

Because of the favourable change for the player, every winning Pick 4 wager now receives 13.3% more than in 2009. The Pick 4 is contested on Races 7 thru 10 nightly. The minimum wager is $1.

Remember on August 14th as part of the Back To The Track promotion going on throughout North America there will be a $50,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 pool with a 15% takeout -- Balmoral Park will be a part of that Pick 4 sequence.

(Balmoral Park)