NYRA will return to traditional pick six, with $1 minimum

The New York Racing Association will return the pick six wager to its traditional format, albeit with a $1 minimum wager, when the Belmont Park spring/summer meet begins April 22, the company announced Thursday.

This format replaces the Empire 6, which was a 20-cent minimum and which, in recent months, paid out its entire pool daily. When the Empire 6 debuted in August 2019, the idea was to pay out the entire pool only if there was one unique ticket with all six winners. Prior to the implementation of the Empire 6, NYRA’s traditional pick six was a $2 minimum bet.

Beginning at Belmont, the pick six will return to its original format of paying out 75 percent of the net pool to all tickets that have six winners and reserving 25 percent in a consolation payout those who select five of six winners.

In the event there are no tickets with all six winners, 75 percent of the pool is carried over to the next card while 25 percent goes to tickets with 5 of 6.

The wager will not be available to computer-assisted wagering players.

In announcing the pick six change, NYRA said it is responding to horseplayers’ interest in rewarding the daily player with the opportunity for large payouts.

"Our community of horseplayers have expressed interest in a traditional pick six wager that will provide a challenging sequence and significant payouts,” said Joe Longo, NYRA General Manager of Content Services. “By raising the bet's base minimum to $1, the pick six remains an accessible multi-race wager for players of varying bankrolls while maintaining the possibility for a lucrative carryover day."

On non-carryover days, the takeout on the pick six will be 15 percent. On carryover days, the takeout is 24 percent.

:: Bet horse racing on DRF Bets. Double Your First Deposit Up to $250. Join Now.