National Pick 6 Concept to Be Tested

The Thoroughbred Racing Associations’ 1995 Committee has announced plans to test market a national Pick 6 on three Saturdays: Sept. 12 and 26 and Oct. 3. The national Pick 6 would consist of six stakes races from six tracks around the U.S., all of which would be shown live via satellite within a one-hour period, from 5-6 p.m. EDT, for simulcast wagering.

Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania are among the states whose races will be featured in the national Pick 6.

Wagers on the national Pick 6 will be merged electronically into a common pool, overseen by American Totalisator from its headquarters in Hunt Valley, Md. Payoffs will be calculated using the net pool pricing method established for last year’s Breeders’ Cup national Pick 7, which takes into account the differing tax rates on wagers in various states. Because of the differing tax rates, there may be some variation in the amount winning bettors receive from state to state.

Wagering will close five minutes before post time for the first race on the program.

The minimum wager will be $2, with a 25% consolation payoff should no one select all six winners. The national Pick 6 will also have a carryover provision, with a mandatory payoff on Oct. 3.

Past performance data for the national Pick 6 races will be assembled and disseminated by the Equibase Company, a partnership between the Thoroughbred Racing Assns. and The Jockey Club formed to develop a database of racing information.