Los Alamitos announces stakes, wagering menu for winter meet
Four stakes worth a combined $600,000 highlight the 2024 winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos.
The six-day season will begin Dec. 6 and continue through Dec. 15. Racing will be conducted Friday through Sunday both weeks. First post will be 3:30 p.m. EST.
The first of the stakes races is the $200,000 Starlet (G2) for 2-year-old fillies. The 1 1/16-mile race will be run Dec. 7.
One week later, on Dec. 14, the $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) will be offered. The race, which will also be run at 1 1/16 miles, is for 2-year-olds.
Completing the schedule are a pair of one-mile races for 2-year-olds bred or sired in California. The $100,000 Soviet Problem, open to fillies, will be run Dec. 8 while the $100,000 King Glorious for colts and geldings will be contested Dec. 15.
Grandstand admission is $3 and $2 for seniors 62 and older. Admission to Burgart’s is $10 and Vessels Club is $10. Los Alamitos offers free general parking. Preferred parking is $5. Fans can purchase tickets online on the Los Alamitos website.
The wagering menu includes a pair of $1 Pick 4 wagers on races 2-5 and the final four races, a $2 Pick 6 and the the Players’ Pick 5. The Pick 5, which covers the first five races, has a 50-cent minimum bet and a reduced 14 percent takeout rate.
The Pick 6 will have a 70-30 split with 70 percent of the pool going to those tickets with six winners with the remaining 30 percent going to tickets with five of six winners.
There will also be a handicapping contest Dec. 14. Los Alamitos will offer a cash prize and a pair of berths in the 2025 National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas. Cost to enter is $500. Of that amount, $100 will be placed in the contest prize pool with the remaining $400 going towards a live money wagering card.
Tournament races will include the entire card at Los Alamitos with permitted wagers including win, place, show, exactas, trifectas and daily doubles. Full contest rules will be available on the Los Alamitos website.
Entries for opening day of the winter Thoroughbred meet will be taken Dec. 3.