Keeneland lowers takeout on popular wagers

Keeneland lowers takeout on popular wagers

Keeneland has implemented several changes to its wagering menu

this fall. The Lexington, Kentucky, track will lower the takeout

on Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 6 wagers from 19 to 17 percent during

the 17-day meeting that runs October 8-30.

"The lower takeout means more money is returned to our

customers," Keeneland President and CEO Nick Nicholson said.

"It is a way for us to give back to our loyal fans."

Keeneland also announced a guaranteed $300,000 Pick 4 pool

will be offered each Sunday during live racing and changes to the

Pick 3 rules. Refunds and consolation payoffs will be made

available for Pick 3 wagers affected by late scratches. Bettors

will receive a refund for all tickets with a late scratch on the

first leg of the Pick 3. Horses scratched after the first leg

will generate a consolation payoff.

Bettors had previously been given the post-time favorite with

a late scratch. In the event of a dead-heat in one of the three

races, there will be a split pool on the payoff rather than a

single payoff that covers all horses involved in the dead-heat.

"We wanted to respond to our patrons," Nicholson

said of the rule changes. "It was a suggestion that came out

of the NTRA's Players Panel and we felt it was a reasonable

recommendation. These are experienced bettors who, in many cases,

didn't want the post-time favorite."