National Pick 4 returns $127.50

With heavy favorites The Tin Man and Wait a While capturing the final two legs of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's National Pick 4 on Saturday, the bet returned $127.50 for each winning $1 ticket.

The pool, which was guaranteed at $400,000, was $559,753. The bet was tied in to a two-hour telecast on ESPN.

Ashkal Way ($6.20), the second choice, outfinished Free Thinking after a stretch-long duel to take the first leg, the Kelso Breeders' Cup Handicap on the turf at Belmont Park.

The longshot Ball Four ($27.80) led from start to finish and survived an inquiry to win the second leg, the Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park.

Wait a While ($3.40) was the easiest of winners in the third leg, the Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting.

The Tin Man ($3) won the final leg of the pick four, the Clement Hirsch Turf Championship at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting. leading from start to finish.

The NTRA will have an all-stakes pick four tied in to its telecasts on the next two Saturdays, Oct. 7 and 14. Next week's biggest race is the Jockey Club Gold Cup, featuring Bernardini.