Indiana Grand makes off-turf races 'all,' reduces takeout in multi-race wagers

Indiana Grand was granted permission to switch a day on its 2021 racing calendar on Tuesday during a meeting of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, but more important news related to changes that will affect bettors.

The IHRC granted Indiana Grand’s request to change the rule regarding the handling of races taken off turf following the start of a multi-race wagering sequence that includes them. Previously, if a race was moved from turf to dirt, scratched horses were switched to the post-time favorite on multi-race wagering tickets. Under the new rule, a bet on a sequence that includes a race taken off turf after the pool has closed will get an “all” for that race. The rule applies to the pick 4, the pick 5, and the pick 6, according to a release from Indiana Grand.

Indiana Grand, which lowered takeout on its pick 5 wager to 11.99-percent in 2020, was granted permission to reduce takeout on the pick 4s and pick 6 jackpot wagers to 15 percent for 2021.

The commission gave Indiana Grand permission to conduct live racing on Nov. 8 rather than May 1, Kentucky Derby Day. The track made the request in anticipation of a relatively large Derby Day crowd, considering COVID-19 attendance restrictions, and a desire to avoid “issues with safety protocols and potential wait times to enter the facility,” vice president and general manager of racing, Eric Halstrom, said in the release.

Indiana Grand begins a 120-day racing season on April 13.