There is an added bonus for Canadian horseplayers when Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs kick off their winter meets this Saturday, December 1.

Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) is now able to add fractional betting to the wagering menu for the popular wintertime Thoroughbred meetings.

Fractional betting, which allows bettors to play the races in pre-determined fractional amounts, has been available for Canadian horseplayers on Woodbine and Mohawk racing for several years. With recent technological advancements and regulatory approvals, U.S. tracks can now be included in the popular program. Keeneland Race Course, in Kentucky, was the first to be added in early October.

For the two Florida meets, local racing fans will now be able to bet, as a base, 20 cents on Superfectas, which asks for the first four finishers in a race, and 60 cents on the Pick-4 and Pick-5, which asks for the winners of four and five consecutive races, respectively.

“The Florida tracks are popular in the winter with our customers,” said Greg Martin, WEG’s Director of Wagering Operations. “Fractional wagering on the Keeneland fall season proved to be a success, so we expect racing fans to embrace the 20-cent and 60-cent bets for the Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs race meets.”

Martin anticipates further announcements regarding the betting menu will come shortly. “We expect to expand our fractional wagering roster as the U.S. host tracks continue to update their tote systems.”

First race post-time on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs is set for 12:25pm, while Gulfstream Park is set for 12:45pm. Post-time for Woodbine’s Thoroughbred card on Saturday is 1:05pm. Woodbine’s Standardbred card is slated for a 7:30pm start.