by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Columbus, OH — It is a big weekend for the U.S. Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program, with multiple guarantees at Meadowlands Racetrack on Hambletonian Day and new opportunities at Batavia Downs and Lexington’s Red Mile.

Free program pages, courtesy of TrackMaster, are available on the USTA’s handicapping page.

On Saturday (August 6) at the Meadowlands, a $150,000 Pick-4 will be offered on races 6-9. A special Pacing Pick-4 will also be guaranteed at $50,000 later in the Hambletonian Day card.

The Pick-4 is a $1 base wager that features a low 15 percent takeout and high return rate. The average Pick-4 payout this meet is $2,335 for a $1 ticket. The $150,000 guarantee on the Meadowlands Pace Night Pick-4 handled more than $200,000.

The new Pick-5 wager is also becoming a popular option for Meadowlands players. A 50-cent wager on the first five races, the Pick-5 kicks off at 11:30 a.m. An additional Pick-5 wager on races 9-13 will carry a special $50,000 guarantee.

And for those that aren’t interested in multi-leg wagers, the main event of the day, the ninth race Hambletonian, will have a $200,000 guaranteed trifecta pool.

The first of three $5,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pools at Batavia Downs Casino will take place on Saturday (August 6). The other dates are August 13 and 20. The Pick-4, which offers a 50-cent minimum wager, begins on the second race. Approximate post time for the second race is 6:57 p.m. (EDT).

On Sunday (August 7) The Red Mile will offer a $5,000 guaranteed Pick-4 on races 7-10. The Red Mile will offer guaranteed Pick-4 wagers on Sundays and guaranteed $10,000 Pick-4 opportunities during the Grand Circuit meet.