Prairie Meadows cuts takeout

ALTOONA, Iowa - Prairie Meadows has announced it will lower takeouts on certain wagers during its upcoming mixed meet, which will begin July 21.

The takeout on two-horse wagers (quinellas, exactas, and daily doubles) will be reduced to 19 percent, down 5 percentage points from the Thoroughbred meet that ends July 7. The takeout on trifectas, superfectas, and pick threes will be now be 22 percent, down from 25 percent. Additionally, two pick fours will be held each night with a takeout of only 12 percent. The takeout on win, place, and show wagers will remain at 16 percent for the mixed meet.

Commenting on the lower takeout rates, Bob Farinella, president of Prairie Meadows, said, "We have made strategic changes to lower our takeout percentages, which we hope will encourage additional participation by passing a larger part of the action directly back to those fans making wagers."

The track also announced that it will race Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday each week during the mixed meet, which is a slight change from the original schedule that called for racing Friday through Monday each week.