Del Mar adds all-turf late pick three

Del Mar announced this week it will add an all-turf late pick three to its betting options. The wager is the only change to the track’s summer menu.

The $3 bet covers the final three turf races daily and is subject to a 15 percent takeout. The track will retain multi-race wagers with the same takeout – the $3 late pick three on the final three races and the $5 double on the last two.

The median payoff – half higher, half lower – in the $3 late pick three last summer was $375. The median payoff in the $5 late double last summer was $155. The average pool in the late pick three topped $281,000, while average pool in the late double topped $210,000.

The least expensive (lowest takeout) wager at Del Mar is the early pick five, a 50-cent wager on the first five races. Takeout is 14 percent.

More expensive (higher takeout) wagers include 50-cent early and late pick fours, and 50-cent late pick fives. Both are subject to a 23.68 percent takeout, same as the $2 pick six. The Del Mar pick six has a traditional 80-20 split between perfect tickets or carryover and consolations.

The summer meet begins July 17. Opening-day entries will be drawn Saturday, July 11.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.