| WAGERING STRATEGY |
| The Box |
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Boxing runners gives you more opportunities to cash a bet. Imagine if you think both the 3 and 5 have a shot at winning the race, but you elect to just play a straight 3 - 5. If it comes in 5 - 3, you'll be upset that you didn't box the two runners. Be aware that a box costs more than a straight bet.
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| Exacta Box |
| To bet an exacta box, tell the clerk: $2 exacta box 3-5. Since this is two wagers (you win if it's 3-5 or 5-3) the ticket will cost $4. If you want to box three numbers, it will cost $12. With more runners, you have more chances to win. For example, if you play a 1,3,5 exacta box, you win if the first two runners are 1-3, 3-1, 1-5, 5-1, 3-5, 5-3.
$2.00 combinations
2 Horse Box $ 4
3 Horse Box $ 12
4 Horse Box $ 24
5 Horse Box $ 40
6 Horse Box $ 60
7 Horse Box $ 84
8 Horse Box $ 112
9 Horse Box $ 144
10 Horse Box $ 180
11 Horse Box $ 220
12 Horse Box $ 264
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| Trifecta Box |
($2.00 combinations)
3 Horse Box $ 12
4 Horse Box $ 48
5 Horse Box $ 120
6 Horse Box $ 240
7 Horse Box $ 420
8 Horse Box $ 672
9 Horse Box $ 1,008
10 Horse Box $ 1,440
11 Horse Box $ 1,980
12 Horse Box $ 2,640
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| THE KEY |
The box is a great wager when you want to put more than one horse on top, but if you absolutely, positively love a horse to win a race, then you might want to key him.
Let's say you like the 3 runner to win. To use
him on top of three horses in an exacta, you would
say $2 exacta key 3 with 5, 7, 8. The total bet
would be $6.
(three bets: 3-5, 3-7, 3-8). |
| Trifecta Key |
| If you like the 3 to win, key him on top of three or more horses in the trifecta. For example, a $2 trifecta key, 3 with 7, 8, 9. The 3 must win the race and you need two of the three other runners to come in second and third. This is a $12 wager. You can put four horses behind the 3.
For example: 3 with 5, 7, 8, 9. The 3 must win, but you have increased your chances by one runner. Two of the four horses have to come in second or third. This ticket costs $24. With a $1 wager, you get half of the pay-off.
Trifecta key ($2.00 combinations)
3 runners behind the winner: 3 with 4- 7- 8 = $12
4 runners behind the winner: 3 with 4- 7 - 8 - 9 = $24
5 runners behind the winner: 3 with 4 - 7- 8- 9 - 10 = $40
6 runners behind the winner: 3 with 4 - 7 - 8- 9 -10 -11 = $60
7 runners behind the winner: 3 with 4 -7 - 8 - 9 -10 - 11 -12 =$84 |
| Betting the Pick 3 |
In this wager, you have to pick the winner of three consecutive races. Picking the winners of three races is difficult, so in order to give yourself a good chance of winning this wager, pick more than one runner in each race. For example, if you like the 7 and 8 in the first race of the Pick 3; the 2, 4, 8 in the second race and the 6 in the last race, you would be using six horses. To determine the cost of this ticket, multiply the number of horses in each race. In the first race there are (2) horses, in the second there are (3) horses and in the last there is (1) horse. (2) x (3) x (1) x $2 = $12. This $2 Pick 3 ticket will cost $12.If you play this wager for $1, it will cost $6 and you will get half the pay-off.
How to say your wager to the teller
Track / Amount / type of wager / number(s)
Example:
Belmont: $5 to win on number 8.
$1.00 A $1 wager will give you half the pay-off. |
| Quinella Box |
| It's not necessary to box two runners in a quinella, because your picks can come in either order. You can make a three runner quinella box. For example, 2,6,8, quinella box. You win if it comes in 2-6, 2-8 or 6-8. It is three bets, so a $2 quinella box will cost $6. |
| Trifecta Box |
| In this wager, the three horses you select may come in any order. For example, if you bet a trifecta box 2-4-6, you win if it's 2-4-6, 2-6-4, 4-2-6, 4-6-2, 6-2-4 and 6-4-2. Ask the clerk for a $2 Trifecta Box 2-4-6. It will cost $12. |
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