by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Balmoral Park played host to the biggest Pick-4 pool in North America this year on Wednesday (March 7). Players across the continent wagered $119,168 in new money, chasing a carryover of $25,709. The final pool established a 2012 North American record of $144,877.

Competitive racing at Balmoral was on display again, with the final three legs being decided by a neck or less. When 16-1 longshot Red River Restless recorded the victory in the final leg of the Pick-4, the payoff blew up to $8,386.20 for a dollar. Because of the carryover and the low takeout of 15 percent, the payoff surpassed the $1 win parlay of $5,375 by more than $3,000. The win payouts were $7.80, $35.20, $8.80 and $35.60.

The Balmoral Pick-4 averages are compelling. Through March 7, $873,025 has been put through the windows on the low 15 percent takeout wager through 28 racing nights. The average pool in 2012 is now $31,179.

When compared to 2009, when the average was $8,827, you can clearly see what a perfect combination Strategic Wagering and the 15 percent takeout have become. The 2012 pools have increased $22,352 per night and are now 3.53 times higher than the pools were back in 2009.

The payoff on the Balmoral Pick-4 have also continued on a steep upward trend. The 2012 Balmoral Pick-4 now boasts an average payout of $2,789 for a dollar. Free program pages, courtesy of Track Master, are available nightly at www.ustrotting.com. A robust 206 horses are scheduled to compete this weekend, an average of 8.96 horses per race.

Balmoral Park offers guaranteed pools every night. Wednesday and Saturday Pick-4s are guaranteed at $20,000. Sunday night racing offers a $25,000 guarantee on the Pick-4 and a $10,000 guarantee on the 50 cent Pick-5. Handle for this week totaled $3,349,197 for a nightly average of $1,116,399. The average handle on the 33 races offered this week was $101,490.