Impressed with the results from the first head-to-head wagering offered during last year’s Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Belmont Park, Pimlico Race Course officials will offer the bet on 12 of 13 stakes races at the track on Friday and Saturday.
Bettors can choose one of two horses selected for the head-to-head contests by Pimlico racing officials. They will win if their runner finishes ahead of the other horse, regardless of whether either runner wins or finishes in the money.
"We are always looking for new wagers that work, and the head-to-head concept had unqualified success at the Breeders’ Cup," said Maryland Jockey Club Chief Operating Officer Lou Raffetto when he announced the innovation. "I think the public is going to love this bet."
The head-to-head wager has not previously been conducted on a Triple Crown race.
On Friday’s Pimlico program, bettors can choose between Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) winner Hero’s Tribute and multiple graded stakes winner Balto Star in the $600,000 Pimlico Special Handicap (G1).
Other Friday matchups will pit Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Santa Catarina against Bonnie Miss Stakes (G2) winner Ivanavinalot in the $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2); Grade 1 winner Mandy’s Gold against multiple Grade 2 winner Smok’n Frolic in the $150,000 Pimlico Breeders’ Cup Distaff Handicap (G3); and stakes winner Repository versus stakes winner Maria’s Mirage in the $75,000 The Very One Stakes.
Matchups for Saturday’s stakes will be announced on Thursday. The races involved will be the $1-million Preakness Stakes (G1); $200,000 Dixie Stakes (G2); $200,000 Maryland Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G3); $100,000 Gallorette Handicap (G3); $100,000 William Donald Schaefer Handicap (G3); $125,000 Sir Barton Stakes; $125,000 Woodlawn Stakes; and the $100,000 Hirsch Jacobs Stakes.—Michele MacDonald
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=33448&subsec=1
Bettors can choose one of two horses selected for the head-to-head contests by Pimlico racing officials. They will win if their runner finishes ahead of the other horse, regardless of whether either runner wins or finishes in the money.
"We are always looking for new wagers that work, and the head-to-head concept had unqualified success at the Breeders’ Cup," said Maryland Jockey Club Chief Operating Officer Lou Raffetto when he announced the innovation. "I think the public is going to love this bet."
The head-to-head wager has not previously been conducted on a Triple Crown race.
On Friday’s Pimlico program, bettors can choose between Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) winner Hero’s Tribute and multiple graded stakes winner Balto Star in the $600,000 Pimlico Special Handicap (G1).
Other Friday matchups will pit Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Santa Catarina against Bonnie Miss Stakes (G2) winner Ivanavinalot in the $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2); Grade 1 winner Mandy’s Gold against multiple Grade 2 winner Smok’n Frolic in the $150,000 Pimlico Breeders’ Cup Distaff Handicap (G3); and stakes winner Repository versus stakes winner Maria’s Mirage in the $75,000 The Very One Stakes.
Matchups for Saturday’s stakes will be announced on Thursday. The races involved will be the $1-million Preakness Stakes (G1); $200,000 Dixie Stakes (G2); $200,000 Maryland Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G3); $100,000 Gallorette Handicap (G3); $100,000 William Donald Schaefer Handicap (G3); $125,000 Sir Barton Stakes; $125,000 Woodlawn Stakes; and the $100,000 Hirsch Jacobs Stakes.—Michele MacDonald
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=33448&subsec=1
