Empire 6 mandatory payout set for opening day at the Big A

by NYRA Press Office

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) formally announced today that the Empire 6 mandatory payout originally scheduled for Sunday, October 27, will be brought back on Friday, November 1, opening day of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack. This action follows the cancellation of live racing on closing day of the Belmont Park fall meet, and the required approval of the New York State Gaming Commission

The jackpot carryover heading into Friday stands at $279,432, and the Empire 6 will open in Race 5, which has an approximate post time of 2:00 p.m.

Friday features a special first post time of 12 p.m. alongside a full simulcast of the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park, anchored by the Grade 1, $2 million Juvenile, with a local post time of 7:04 p.m. Eastern. The Future Stars Friday Breeders' Cup card begins at 4:12 p.m. with the Grade 2, $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Featuring a $0.20 minimum wager and 20 percent takeout, the Empire 6 requires the bettor to select the first-place finisher of the final six races of the card. On non-mandatory payout days, if one unique ticket exists, then 100% of the net pool, plus the jackpot carryover if applicable, will be paid to the winner. If there is no unique wager selecting the first-place finisher in all six races, then 75% of the day's net pool will be distributed to those who selected the first-place finisher in the greatest number of races. The remainder will be added into the jackpot and carried to the next day's Empire 6.

About the New York Racing Association (NYRA)

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) holds the exclusive franchise to conduct thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of New York State's thoroughbred industry, which is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic impact to the State.

Over the course of 219 days of live racing in 2018, NYRA generated more than $2.1 billion in all-sources wagering handle with paid attendance exceeding 1.7 million for the fifth consecutive year.