Single-race bets
One race, one ticket
Win / Place / Show
Min $2
The basics. Pick a horse to finish 1st, top 2, or top 3.
One horse to finish 1st (Win), top 2 (Place), or top 3 (Show)
Full guide →Exacta
Min $1 (often $2)
Pick the 1st and 2nd finishers in exact order.
Two horses to finish 1st and 2nd in the exact order called
Full guide →Trifecta
Min $0.50 (sometimes $1)
Pick the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd finishers in order.
Three horses in the exact 1-2-3 order
Full guide →Superfecta
Min $0.10 (most tracks)
Pick the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th finishers in order.
Four horses in the exact 1-2-3-4 order
Full guide →Multi-race bets
Parlay opinions across races
Carryovers + guaranteed pools at major tracks make these the most lucrative tickets at any meet
Daily Double
Min $1 ($2 at some tracks)
Pick the winner of two consecutive races.
Winner of two consecutive races on the card
Full guide →Pick 3
Min $0.50
Pick the winners of three consecutive races.
Winner of three consecutive races
Full guide →Pick 4
Min $0.50
Pick the winners of four consecutive races.
Winner of four consecutive races
Full guide →Pick 6
Min $2 (some tracks $1)
Pick the winners of six consecutive races.
Winner of six consecutive races
Full guide →Strategy 101
Field size drives payout structure. The 20-horse Kentucky Derby pays trifectas and superfectas in the thousands because the permutations explode. The smaller fields at the Preakness and Belmont reward exactas and win bets on horses with proven Derby form. For multi-race tickets, the standard sharp structure is "A-B-C": key your strongest opinion in one or two legs, spread wider in the others, and let the carryover do the work.
Bet responsibly · 21+ · 1-800-GAMBLER · Pari-mutuel wagering laws vary by state.