It’s been a long time since Meadowlands Racetrack handicappers have been able to utter the following fabulous phrase: Pick-6 carryover!
The carryover of $14,376 might not seem extremely impressive by itself, but what figures to transpire as a result will raise eyebrows from players, regardless of the girth of their bankrolls.
First and foremost, the ‘Big M,’ in partnership with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering initiative, has created an instant guaranteed pool of $40,000, which could look small by the time the fourth race on Friday heads to the gate, marking the start of the wager.
The bet has a base of 20 cents, which allows players to ‘spread’ their action further in pursuit of winners with double-digit odds. As always, the ‘P6’ has a low 15 per cent takeout. What players may not realize is the value in a bet like this with a carryover.
“After a long layoff, we are excited to see a Pick-6 carryover at the Meadowlands,” said track COO/GM Jason Settlemoir. “The 20-cent minimum has given life to the Pick-6. In 2012, when the Pick-6 had a higher minimum, our opening-night carryover was $1,975, and it took us four nights to get that number past the $8,000 mark.
“Without the help of a carryover, the 20-cent version has an average pool this year of over $20,000 a night with 20-cent payoffs that have been excellent. With plenty of time between cards for handicappers all over the world to get ready to put money into this big pool, we obviously are expecting an enormous response to the one-day carryover of $14,376 on Friday.”
The mathematics prove that wagers with low 15 per cent takeouts that have carryovers provide huge value for the player. In fact, there will be more money paid out than the amount of ‘new money’ wagered Friday.
In the event Friday sees $80,000 in ‘new money,’ the breakdown would be as follows:
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Fifteen per cent of the $80,000 is removed for the takeout, leaving $68,000.
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Add the carryover of $14,376 to the $68,000, and you get a total of $82,376 left for the players with live tickets to divvy up, with 75 per cent going to those who go six-for-six and 25 per cent to those who have five winners.
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With $2,376 more going out after $80,000 comes in, that creates a rare ‘player’s advantage’ of 2.97 per cent.
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In the event no one picks all six winners, 75 per cent – just over $60,000 – would carry over to Saturday’s card.
Free program pages for the 20-cent Pick-6 (which begins in the fourth race), as well as the 50-cent Pick-4 (Race 6) and Late 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five (Race 13) will be available at ustrotting.com and playmeadowlands.com.
GUARANTEED GREEN: The Meadowlands will offer four big multi-race pools on the Friday card, with three offering sizable guaranteed pools.
The aforementioned 20-cent Pick-6 sports a guaranteed pool of $40,000, the 20-cent Pick-5 (Race 1) promises $25,000 and the ‘signature’ 50-cent Pick-4 (Race 6) offers $50,000. The second 50-cent Pick-4 (Race 10) has no guarantee, but has been doing quite well, nonetheless, with a pool that’s averaged just over $59,000.
Racing will be conducted on Friday and Saturday, with a first-race post time of 6:55 p.m.
PICK-5 OFF TO STRONG START: Since dropping the minimum wager to 20 cents, the action has been solid in the Big M’s revamped Pick-5.
The average pool has been $63,382 with both Saturdays since the change registering pools in excess of $70,000. The average payout has been a healthy $1,123 for two thin dimes.
Speaking of five, the green has been steadily piling up in the track's two 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Fives. The carryovers for Friday are $31,773 and $25,021 for races five and 13, respectively.
WHHC QUALIFIER: On Saturday (Feb. 22), the Big M will host its February World Harness Handicapping Championship qualifier. The top two finishers will qualify for the WHHC final. It’s only $200 to play ($100 to enter; $100 bankroll). For complete information, click here.
(With files from the Meadowlands Racetrack)