NYRA after pick 6 takeout cut

The New York Racing Association plans to reduce its takeout on the pick six on non-carryover days from 20 percent to 15 percent, the chairman of NYRA, Barry Schwartz, said Thursday.

The reduction would have to be approved by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, which next meets on Feb. 25. Schwartz said he would make the request in time for the change to take effect at the start of the next fiscal quarter, April 1.

The takeout reduction would be the second initiated by NYRA in the last two and a half years. In the summer of 2001, NYRA reduced the takeout on win, place, and show wagers from 15 percent to 14 percent and the takeout on two-horse wagers from 20 percent to 17.5 percent. Takeout on the pick six on non-carryover days was reduced then from 25 percent to 20 percent.