Single-race bets
One race, one ticket
Win / Place / Show
Min $2
The basics — 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 + superfectas in the thousands because there are so many possible permutations. Smaller-field stakes (Preakness, Belmont) reward exactas + win bets on horses with proven Derby form. For multi-race bets, the "A-B-C" structure — keying your strongest opinion in 1–2 legs and spreading wider in the others — is the standard sharp approach.
Bet responsibly · 21+ · 1-800-GAMBLER · Pari-mutuel wagering laws vary by state.