How to Make a Bet

When Wagering With a Mutuel Teller, Tell the Mutuel Teller these five things in this order:

1. What track you want to bet on.

2. What race number (unless betting on the current race).

3. How much you want to bet.

4. What kind of bet you want (win, place, show exacta, etc…)

5. The number of the horse

For example: “Santa Anita , race 5, $2.00 to win on number 7.”

How To Wager

Win-place-show bets

Betting on horse and greyhound racing can be fun and easy. There are several different wagers offered each race, but these are the three most basic:

WIN: Your selection must finish 1st - The first is a “win” wager. Betting a horse or greyhound to win is just as fun as it sounds - the horse or greyhound must win the race in order for you to win the wager.

PLACE: Your selection must finish 1st or 2nd - Next, is a “place” wager. This is betting on a horse or greyhound to finish in the top two. You win the wager if your horse or greyhound finishes first or second.

SHOW: Your selection must finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd - Betting a horse or greyhound to “show” means selecting a horse or greyhound who you think will finish in the top 3. You win the wager if your horse or greyhound finishes first, second, or third.

Exacta Bets

You must select the first two horses to finish in the exact order.

If you’ve mastered the art of win place and show wagers, try an exacta. An exacts is more difficult than win, place and show wagers, but yields a higher payout. You bet an exacta by selecting a minimum two horses to finish first and second. These horses must finish first and second, in that order, for you to win the wager.

If picking two horses in order sounds too difficult, you can “box” your wager. A boxed wager will win if your horses finish 1st and 2nd, in any order, making it more likely for you to win.

Trifecta Bets

You must select the first three horses or greyhounds to finish in exact order.

If you’ve mastered the art of win, place and show wagers, try a trifecta. A Trifecta is more difficult than win, place and show wagers, as well as exacta wagers, so it yields a higher payout than any of those bets.

You bet a trifecta by selecting a minimum three horses or greyhounds to finish first, second, and third. These horses or greyhounds must finish first, second, and third, in that exact order, for you to win the wager.

If picking three horses or greyhounds in order sounds too difficult you can “box” your wager. A boxed trifecta wager will win if your horses or greyhounds finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, in any order, making it more likely to win.

Exotics

Quinella - You must select the first and second horses or greyhounds in any order.

Superfecta - You must select the first four horses or greyhounds to finish in exact order.

Superhigh5 - You must select the first five horses to finish in exact order.

Daily Double - You must select the winner of two consecutive races.

Multiple

Pick 3 - You must select the winners of three consecutive races as designated in the program.

Pick 4 - You must select the winners of four consecutive races as designated in the program.

Pick 5 - You must select the winners of five consecutive races as designated in the program.

Pick 6 - You must select the winners of six consecutive races as designated in the program.

Not all wagers are available on every race. Wagers depend on track and race.