Calder starting head-to-head bet

Calder will institute its newest wager, the Saturday Showdown, beginning with Saturday’s Juvenile Showcase program.

The Saturday Showdown is a head-to-head wager in which a bettor must pick which of two pre-designated horses will finish ahead of the other in the last race on each Saturday card throughout the remainder of the meet. The wager will carry an 18-percent takeout and requires a $1 minimum bet.

“This new wager is easy for fans of all levels to understand and play,” said Calder’s vice president and general manger of racing, John Marshall. “But we expect it to be most appealing to newcomers.”

Marshall said the track’s racing secretary, Mike Anifantis, will determine the two horses involved in the wager each week.

Anifantis has chosen first-time starter Callas and Angel Dreams to go head to head in the inaugural Saturday Showdown in the 13th race on Saturday’s card.