Northlands Park Opens With Lower Takeout

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Northlands Park in Alberta, Canada, begins its meet May 2 with pari-mutuel takeout rates it says are the lowest in North America.

Takeout for win, place, and show wagers has been reduced to 14.5%, while a new Pick 5 with a $1 minimum bet will carry a 10% takeout rate. The Pick 5, which carries over if no one selects all five winners, will be offered on the first five races on each program, track officials said.

Northlands Park has now moved from 58th to 24th in the Horseplayers Association of North America's racetrack rankings, track officials said.

"Here at Northlands we have listened to what players want industry-wide, and are doing our very best to offer them that," Northlands executive director Chris Roberts said in a release. "We look forward to everyone joining us to make 2014 a very successful season."

The Northlands Park Thoroughbred meet extends through Oct. 25 with racing three of four days a week for the most part. Night racing is offered on Wednesdays and Fridays, with afternoon racing on other days.