Pick six alternates may return

Bettors will likely be able to resume making alternate selections for pick six wagers in California by the end of September, an official for Autotote told the California Horse Racing Board on Thursday.

Alternate selections, which allow bettors to designate a horse to replace a selection in the event of a scratch, were scrapped last year after tote companies made massive overhauls in the way pick six pools are processed to address security concerns rising from the Breeders' Cup pick six scandal.

Dave Payton of Autotote told California racing commissioners Thursday that the company had already submitted plans for restoring the alternate selection system to a totalizator committee of the Association of Racing Commissioners International. If the committee approves the plans, Autotote will upgrade its systems, Payton said.

"It looks like we will be able to get everything in place on target for the Oak Tree meet," which opens on Sept. 28 at Santa Anita Park, Payton said.

The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships are scheduled for Oak Tree on Oct. 25.