Last-race cancellation triggers change in pick six payout at Aqueduct

OZONE PARK, N.Y. -- Thursday’s final race at Aqueduct was canceled due to heavy fog and made for confusion on the payout for the pick six, for which there were two live tickets, each worth $139,510, entering the final leg.

The last race was declared an all-win for the pick six, as well as other multirace wagers.

In the end, the winning pick six tickets were each worth $54,189. That payout was based on a 24 percent takeout rate due to there being a $31,130 carryover entering Thursday’s card. However, by New York State Gaming Commission rules, if one or more legs of the pick six sequence is canceled, any carryovers are not paid out but rather held until the next card. Thus, the takeout rate should have been 15 percent, the rate on non-carryover days. The pick six pool on Thursday, not including the takeout, was $191,040.

By using the higher takeout rate, the winning pick six tickets were shorted by approximately $6,418.

:: For the first time ever, our premium past performances are free! Get free Formulator now!

Twenty-five percent of the pool is reserved for consolation payouts. The consolation payout (5 of 6) on Thursday was $185.75, which also is shorter than it should have been given the higher takeout rate being utilized.

After reviewing the situation, NYRA, released the following statement early Thursday evening.

“Thursday’s $1 Pick 6 payout reflected a 24 percent takeout, which is the standard rate for a carryover day. According to New York State pari-mutuel wagering rules, the cancellation of the final race of Thursday’s card forced the prior carryover to the next race day and triggers a payout without the carryover amount included. There is currently no mechanism for NYRA to actively revert to the non-carryover takeout rate of 15 percent during a live card, nor do New York State pari-mutuel wagering rules contemplate such a takeout adjustment. As such, and in the best interest of horseplayers, NYRA will review possible remedies to address this scenario in the future.”

On Friday, weather permitting, there will be a nine-race card with the pick six beginning on race 4. Due to inclement weather in the forecast, post times will be accelerated Friday so race 4 has a revised post time of 2:02 p.m. Eastern. There will be 24 minutes between post times on Friday instead of the 28 to 32 minutes that are typical between races.

In January, NYRA had a 12:20 post time for nine-race cards. Starting Thursday, with sunset now shortly after 5 p.m., first post was moved back to 12:50 on nine-race cards in February. Thursday, the fog rolled in prior to the eighth race, most of which could not be seen. The fog got thicker before the ninth and despite portable cameras being put into position, the stewards said the head-on picture could not be viewed, thus forcing the cancellation.