PICK SIX ‘GOES DOWN’ AS 26 WINNING TICKETS EACH PAY $75,325.60, THURSDAY’S TOTAL HANDLE OF $9.8 MILLION NEARLY DOUBLES LAST YEAR’S $5.4 MILLION

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 23, 2014)–A two-day Pick Six carryover from Monday of $419,541 fueled a cascade of $2,880,751 in “new money,” on Thursday, resulting in an astronomical total Pick Six pool at Santa Anita of $3,300,291.

“These numbers are very gratifying,” said Tom Ludt, Santa Anita Senior Vice President, Racing & Gaming. “Whenever you have a couple of days off, the word really seems to get out and that’s what happened today. Additionally, our field size, particularly later in the card, was strong, with competitive fields that gamblers are attracted to.

“We’ve got a terrific 10-race program planned for Saturday and we’re looking forward to some great racing and betting opportunities for everyone.”

Santa Anita presented an eight-race program today, with the Pick Six offered on the final six races. Today’s third race had one scratch, resulting in a six-horse field, and race four had a pair of late declarations, resulting in six runners.

Field size picked up substantially in the final four races, with an average of 8.4 runners per race.

There were 26 winning tickets that each paid $75,325.60. Consolation tickets with five winners each paid $544.20.

Thursday’s total handle of $9,867,479 nearly doubled last year’s corresponding figure of $5,426,152.

Santa Anita will present a 10-race card Saturday, with Sunshine Millions California Cup Day. Six stakes, including the Grade II, $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes, for older fillies and mares at seven furlongs, will highlight the program.

There is a special early first post time on Saturday of 12 noon, with admission gates opening at 10 a.m.