Jackpot-style Empire 6 to debut Wednesday; traditional pick six will be paid out Sunday

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Beginning Wednesday at Saratoga, the New York Racing Association will offer the Empire 6, a jackpot-style wager modeled after the Rainbow 6 that has become a popular bet at other tracks such as Gulfstream Park.

The Empire 6, a 20-cent minimum bet, requires the bettor to select the winner of six consecutive races, typically the last six races on a card. If there is only one winning ticket, the entire pool is paid out to the winner. If there is more than one ticket selecting all six winners, 75 percent of the net pool is paid out with 25 percent carried over to the next card.

The Empire 6 replaces the traditional pick six, which was a $2 minimum bet. The takeout on the Empire 6 is 20 percent. The takeout on the previous pick six was 15 percent on non-carryover days and 24 percent on days when there was a carryover. The Empire 6 has been approved for the remainder of the Saratoga meet but NYRA is expected to seek approval for the wager at Belmont and Aqueduct as well.

NYRA has designated Aug. 18 and Sept. 2 as mandatory payout dates for the Empire 6.

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“The Empire 6 provides the potential for large payouts with an entry point that makes it attractive to all levels of handicappers,” said Tony Allevato, president of NYRA Bets. “Bettors have gravitated to this style of wager and we are pleased to be able to offer it at Saratoga along with the benefit of two mandatory payout days during the meet.”

The existing pick six, with the $2 minimum wager, will conclude on Sunday with a mandatory payout.

Two-day pick six offered this weekend

The NYRA will offer a two-day pick six this weekend consisting of all stakes races. That wager will be a 20-cent minimum bet, have a 15 percent takeout, and a mandatory payout.

The wager will consist of the Grade 1 Test, Grade 1 Whitney, and the De La Rose from Saturday’s card and conclude on Sunday with the Grade 3 Waya, Saratoga Derby, and Grade 2 Adirondack.

There will still be the traditional $2 pick six offered on both Saturday and Sunday.

◗ Uncontested, the Grade 3 General George winner, drilled six furlongs in 1:11 over Saratoga’s main track Thursday morning. He went from the half-mile to the wire in 45.42 seconds and continued out through five furlongs in 58.10 and six furlongs in 1:11.

It was the second straight fast work at Saratoga for Uncontested, who has gone winless in three starts since taking the Grade 3 General George at Laurel when he was trained by Jennifer Patterson. He is now trained by Tom Amoss.

“We want to run at Saratoga,” said Amoss, who said he would talk to the owners about a possible start in the Grade 1 Forego here Aug. 24.