Mandatory payouts to be offered on New Year's Eve card at the Big A

by NYRA Press Office

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced today, in accordance with New York State Gaming Commission rules, that the December 31 racing program at Aqueduct Racetrack will feature a mandatory payout of the wagering pools for the early Pick 5, Late Pick 5 and Empire 6.

The early Pick 5, covering the first five races on the day's card, will kick off the first of the mandatory multi-race payout wagers on New Year's Eve with a first post of 12:30 p.m. Eastern.

The Empire 6, covering the last six races, will begin in Race 3 with an approximate post time of 1:28 p.m. The jackpot carryover heading into Saturday's card stood at $82,138.

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.

The Late Pick 5, offered on the last 5 races, will begin in Race 4. Both the Empire 6 and Late Pick 5 will include the day's feature, a nine-furlong allowance tilt offering a purse of $70,000, carded as Race 7.