Magna 5 to continue?
 

Heard Steve's broadcast yesterday -- the Xpressbet guy seemed to think that they may extend the Magna 5 wager, as its popularity keeps going up.

Anybody hear anything to confirm that?

Of course I wouldn't expect the Magna 5 to survive if Magna Entertainment Corporation doesn't.

Joe

Unless they get a Goverment Bailout ? :zz:

Joe,

"The Xpressbet guy" is Johnny DeSantis. He wasn't speculating on a rumor he heard... He's involved with the decisions. No one is going to be in a better position to confirm it than Johnny considering he was the first to let out with the possibility.

I was surprised obviously by the news which must have literally come up over the weekend considering Johnny himself was anticipating the final weeks of the "5" in his most recent column..

Don't you think that Gulfstream and Santa Anita really help the Magna 5 though?

I just don't see the same popularity when it is...

Maryland
Golden Gate
Lone Star
Remington
Thistly

I am really surprised that Churchill hasn't gone down that route yet considering they could do Churchill/Arlington/Calder for 2.5 months.

"Continue" in this case is likely to just mean into April. Usually goes 10 weeks and we've made it through 6 so far...

Santa Anita and Gulfstream close April 19, so it could extend another 2-3 weeks perhaps.

I like the Magna 5, and hope it does extend to the end of the Gulfstream/Santa Anita meets. Does Golden Gate have an extended meet now that Bay Meadows is gone? It seems that Golden Gate races were only involved in the Magna 5 for the first month or so in previous years.

Also, on a related note, I hope they bring back the Sixty Minute Six this summer involving the east coast tracks.

In a similar note is there any talk about bringing back the sixty minute six this summer?

Perhaps if the tracks put their heads together now they could actually start it on time.

Thanks Steve -- I didn't know DeSantis was involved with the decisions. In any case I'm glad to hear it. If they keep offering the bet, I'll keep playing it. :-)

Greyhound racing has a "Four Minute Pick 4", which is a really cool idea. You get the money into the pool and back out to the fans to continue the churn.

That is pretty much the extent of my greyhound knowledge, but I like their idea with it.

:$: :$:

I'd be all over that.

Yep, me too, but that would mean Churchill would be 'taking' someone else's idea so I don't see it happening....maybe it is, I don't know.

This discussion has led me to ask another relevant question.
With the popularity of the Magna 5, why does it seem that the NTRA discontinued many, if not all, of the National Pk4 wagers that used to take place on big weekends in the summer and fall?

Great point, think there was 3-4 this year

I've thought the same myself. That's something I would really like.

If there were, I completely missed them. Either they're not promoting them or I'm not looking in the right places.
I remember in past years, they always had one on Arlington Million day with the Million, Secretariat, the Sword Dancer,etc...