Hawthorne Harness: After further review, track to honor Pick 4 guarantee

Following research into a missed guaranteed pool from the Late Pick 4 on Saturday, March 7, caused by the closing of wagering pools prematurely, Hawthorne Race Course will be honoring the guaranteed $15,000 pool. The guaranteed pools are a part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program which provides free past performances for the sequences along with promoting all guaranteed wagers.

On Saturday’s sixth race at Hawthorne, one of the two mechanisms that close the betting pools for the race was triggered nearly four minutes prior to the start of the race. This caused all wagering on race six to close at that time, leaving the Late Pick 4 pool with only $6,055 wagered into it. Initially it was believed that a tote malfunction had occurred, causing the guarantee to be removed from the wager. After further research was conducted, it was determined that the triggering mechanism worked properly and it was human error which was responsible for the closing of the pool.

After discussion between Hawthorne management and the Illinois Racing Board, it was determined that the $15,000 guaranteed pool for the Late Pick 4 should be honored. The Late Pick 4 sequence had only one winner, originating out of New Jersey, and that person will be paid the complete payout of $12,723.40, based off of the $15,000 pool. Originally the payout for the sole winner was $5,136.90 but the difference will be made up to the winner.

“The right thing to do is to pay the winner the amount based off of our guarantee,” stated Hawthorne Assistant General Manager John Walsh. “We take pride in publicizing these wagers and guaranteed pools to our customer. In this situation it is truly unfortunate as with the Late Pick 4 wager, the vast majority of handle comes in the final minute leading up to the race. With the closing of the windows being triggered nearly four minutes prior to the start of the race, handle on the entire race took a major hit. We will work to educate staff and make sure this does not happen again in the future.”

Hawthorne Race Course, Chicago’s Hometown Track, returned for live harness racing on Saturday, February 15 and races through Sunday, September 20. Post time nightly is 7:10 PM. Hawthorne races live during the summer harness meet every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

-edited release (Hawthorne)