Preakness Weekend Wagering Menu at Pimlico

HorseracingFLA Staff Report

Racing fans who turn their attention to Pimlico Race Course for three days starting Thursday will find that the Baltimore track has basically the same exotic bets that are offered at its sister track Gulfstream Park.

The Stronach Group owns Gulfstream and Pimlico, the Baltimore track that is the site of this Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (Grade 1).

Some of the attractive exotic bets at Pimlico are: * A 20-cent only Rainbow 6, with a 20 percent takeout. The jackpot/carryover is paid only when there is just one ticket with the winners of all 6 Rainbow 6 races.  On other days, 56 percent of the day’s pool is divided among tickets with six winners, and 24 percent goes into the carryover.

*Early and Late Pick 5s, with a $1 minimum and 15 percent takeout. In addition to five of five, there are consolation payoffs for four of five winners.

*Rolling Super Hi-5s, with a $1 minimum bet and 18 percent takeout. The entire pool rolls over if there are no tickets with the first five finishers in correct order. There are no consolation payoffs such as four of five.

*Ongoing Pick 4s with a 50 cent minimum bet and a 20 percent takeout.

In addition, at Pimlico the minimum bet is 50 cents on Pick 3s.  The minimum on that bet is $1 at Gulfstream and most other tracks. The takeout is 20 percent at both tracks.

Gulfstream and Tampa Bay Downs will simulcast all of the Pimlico races, including the $1.5 million Preakness.

Scheduled post time for the Preakness is 6:45 p.m. It is 1 3/16 miles and is the second race in the Triple Crown for 3-year-olds.

Here are highlights, with all times as Eastern.

*Thursday – First post is 1:10 p.m. for a nine-race card, with no stakes.

* Friday – Pimlico has 14 races with first post at 11:30 a.m. There are six stakes races.

Scheduled post is 4:50 p.m. for the featured and 11th race Black Eyed Susan (Grade 2), at 1 1/8 miles on dirt for 3-year-old fillies.

*Saturday – The Preakness is one of eight stakes  on a 14-race card. The Preakness is the 13th race.  First race post is 10:30 a.m. Pimlico will have six multi-race guaranteed pools totaling $4.15 million.

The Preakness will be the last leg of a $2 million guaranteed Late Pick 4 and a $1 million guaranteed Late Pick 5. The Preakness will also be the last race of a $100,000 single-winner guarantee in the Rainbow 6, which begins with Race 8.

Other guarantees will include a $250,000 Early Pick 5 beginning with Race 2, a $300,000 Early Pick 4 beginning with Race 3, and a $500,000 Pick 5 beginning with Race 6.