The Maryland Racing Commission on Tuesday gave its thumbs-up to a Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) proposal to alter its Pick 5 wagers.

The change will go into effect as quickly as the tote system can be modified, TMJC president Bill Knauf said. The company hopes it will help boost wagering on the Maryland racing product; handle has lagged below projections thus far this year.

Under the new rule, both the early Pick 5 and late Pick 5 have carryover potential. If either carries over, it will carry to the next racing day’s early Pick 5. Previously, only the late Pick 5 had carryover potential; the early Pick 5 always paid out in full to those bettors with most correct selections.

“Carryovers are good for everybody,” Knauf explained. “They’re good for the track. They’re good for the bettors because it’s sort ‘free money’ that’s blended into the pool. So it helps both of us and gives us something to promote.”

Under the new rule, if no bettor hits all five races in a sequence, 75% of the pool after takeout will carry over to the following racing day’s early Pick 5. The remaining 25% will be paid as a consolation to those bettors who have the most correct selections.

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The early Pick 5 routinely outhandles the late Pick 5. For example, during the most recent weekend of racing Feb. 28 to March 2, the early Pick 5 averaged nearly $39,000 wagered, while the late Pick 5 handled only a bit over $15,500.

“Hopefully, we start seeing some carryovers and give the bettor a night to handicap,” Knauf said. “The first Pick 5 has been stronger so far, and so hopefully that will even amplify it further.”

Takeout on the Pick 5 is 12%.

Separately, the Commission approved TMJC’s request for dates for the Pimlico spring meet. Live racing at Old Hilltop will take place – ostensibly for the last time at the current crumbling facility – for six days in May.

There will be live racing May 9-May 11 – Friday through Sunday – and May 15-17, which is Thursday through Saturday. The last of those days is Preakness day.

Post time will be 12:10 for the first four days of the meet, 11:30 a.m. on Black-Eyed Susan day (May 16), and 10:30 a.m. on Preakness day.

The Commission also heard from state veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Daniel. Daniel reported that there were three equine fatalities on the grounds in February, though none during live racing. One horse suffered an apparent cardiac episode while galloping, while another fell and on impact suffered a spinal injury necessitating euthanization, both during morning training. A third succumbed to laminitis.