Del Mar: No consolations for closing-day jackpot pick six

DEL MAR, Calif. – Del Mar’s pick six ended in controversy on Sunday when it was initially announced that only those nailing all six winners would be paid and that no one hitting 5 of 6 would get consolations, something that was not conveyed to fans or media prior to closing day.

There were 44 tickets that had all six winners and paid $15,660.40 each.

There was a carryover of $89,411 entering the day, and since it was closing day, a mandatory payout was in effect. There was $780,563 in fresh money bet into the pick six on Sunday.

After the final race, results posted on the tote board showed only payouts for 6 of 6, but no consolations for 5 of 6. Consolation payoffs had been carved out for 15 percent of the pool all meet.

More than two hours after the final race, Del Mar put out a statement that read, “Due to confusion surrounding Del Mar’s closing day Pick Six pool payouts, based on the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) Rule 004-105G (“Pick N Pools”), Del Mar Thoroughbred Club asks that customers hang on to their Pick Six tickets until Del Mar, AmTote and the California Horse Racing Board are able to clarify all circumstances surrounding the full distribution of the pool and the payouts.”

The ARCI rule cited in the statement refers to the method of distributing jackpot wagers on mandatory-payout days. The statement from Del Mar seems to indicate that management was caught off guard by the distribution of the payouts and wants to confer with AmTote – its tote company – and the state racing board regarding culpability.

Under new pick six rules at this meet, at least until Sunday, 70 percent of the net pool went to those with 6 of 6. If no one had six, that amount was carried over in the general pool. Of the rest, 15 percent went to those with 5 of 6, and the remaining 15 percent was set aside for a single-ticket jackpot.

There were instances earlier this meet where a single ticket hit, or the pick six was hit by multiple tickets, and each time a consolation was paid.