by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Columbus, OH — Thanks to a carryover of more than $7,400, Wednesday’s (August 24) Pick-5 at Balmoral Park will be guaranteed at $25,000 as part of the U.S. Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program.

The Balmoral Pick-5 is races two through six. Free program pages, courtesy of TrackMaster, can be found here. Post time for the second race is 7:30 p.m. (CDT).

Balmoral will also offer a $15,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool on races 7 through 10. The Pick-4 immediately follows the conclusion of the Pick-5 and has a $1 minimum and a low takeout of $15 percent. Through August 21, the average payout on 49 guaranteed Pick-4 pools at Balmoral Park is a record $2,708.70 for a buck. The 49 guaranteed Pick-4 pools have generated $1,395,876 in handle, resulting in a nightly average pool of $28,487.

Balmoral offers a guaranteed Pick-4 wager every night with a 15 percent takeout. The guarantees are $15,000 on Wednesdays, $20,000 an Saturdays and $25,000 on Sundays. The Balmoral Pick-4 pools have reached historic levels with the help of Chris Schick at the USTA Strategic Wagering Initiative and the addition of free program pages that are offered every racing night at www.ustrotting.com. The nightly averages through August 21 are $19,127 on Wednesdays, $24,987 on Saturdays and $35,906 on Sundays.

Free program pages, expert selections and the complete August schedule for the Strategic Wagering program can be found at the USTA’s handicapping page.