Photo: CDI
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will add a
new daily jackpot carryover wager to its offerings for the upcoming 140th
Thoroughbred Racing Season, opening Thanksgiving Day. The Black Gold 5 requires a bettor to hold the lone successful ticket
with the winners of five consecutive races. On cards when there is no
single-ticket winner, half of the pool will be paid as consolation to tickets
with the most correct and half of the pool will go to the carryover. The Black
Gold 5 will carry a $.50 minimum and will start on Race 5 every day.
“We’re
giving our players a new opportunity to make a life-changing score,” said Fair
Grounds President Tim Bryant. “Since
you have to hold the only perfect ticket for the entire pool to pay out, the
winner is sure to take home a bundle. But if you go five-for-five and others
do, too, at least you get back your fair share of a nice consolation pool.”
To make the
wager worthwhile from the start, Fair Grounds will guarantee a $5,000 pool on
Opening Day, as well as any day after the bet is hit.
The Black
Gold 5 moniker suggests the bonanza of an oil strike (“Black Gold” is slang for
oil), while simultaneously paying tribute to the legendary 1924 Louisiana Derby
and Kentucky Derby winner buried in the Fair Grounds infield.
Rolling Doubles Coming to Fair Grounds
Also at
Monday’s meeting, the LSRC approved the addition of “rolling doubles” to the
Fair Grounds Wagering Menu. The change in Louisiana’s Rules of Racing allows
Fair Grounds to become the first track in the state to offer a Daily Double
starting on every race of a program (except, of course, the last).
“Our
players have been asking for this change and we’re delighted to deliver it to
them,” said Fair Grounds Vice President & General Manger of Racing Eric Halstrom. “With the addition of
rolling doubles and the Black Gold 5, we have a robust Wagering Menu that’s the
equal of any track in the country in terms of its diversity and excitement.”
Daily
Doubles at Fair Grounds carry a $1 minimum.