Grand Slam, the New York Racing Association's innovative new $1 minimum wager, will be available at all United Tote and AmTote simulcast sites, initially, when Belmont Park opens its 59-day Spring/Summer Meet on Wednesday, May 3. Scientific Games (formerly Autotote) will not offer the wager immediately, but will participate in Grand Slam at a later date, when its software upgrade has been completed.

Grand Slam offers a bettor 27 ways to win. All the bettor has to do is get his picks to finish first, second or third in each of the first three legs of the wager, and then select the winner of the fourth leg. Grand begin on race 5 during a normal, nine-race NYRA card; on race 6 during a 10-race card.

As an example of the Grand Slam's value, a bettor could construct a mythical ticket by making two picks in the first leg; three in the second; single the third and have two picks in the fourth and final leg for the $1 minimum and the total cost would only be $12 (2x3x1x2 x $1= $12). And, if all of his selections in the first three legs finish in the money and either of his fourth-leg picks wins, the bettor would be holding six winning tickets.

In the event of a late scratch in any leg of the Grand Slam, the bettor will receive the actual betting favorite. Place or show wagering must be available in any of the first three legs of the wager for a horse to qualify as a winning selection; thus, a horse that runs third in a race that offers only win and place wagering will not be considered a winning selection.