A Pick 3 and a Pick 6 are the hardest to predict, leading to rollover jackpots that can be very lucrative. Superfecta bets (picking the first four horses) are also available, as are exotic wagers such as Pick 3 and Pick 6 that require choosing the winning horses in multiple races. An exacta involves correctly picking the first two horses in order, or in any order with a combination known as a box bet (1-2 or 2-1, for example). But after that, it can get a little trickier.īets can be made on a horse to win, place (finish first or second) or show (finish first, second or third) - or all three with an across-the-board wager. The obvious wager is betting on a horse to win. Appearance and temperament are important, so keep an eye on the horse's ears to see how engaged the horse is with the atmosphere.Īnd there's nothing wrong with playing a hunch, since, after all, it's just a gamble. One benefit to being at the track is seeing how the horse looks in the paddock or during the pre-race parade. It will initially seem like a lot of numbers and statistics, but tracks and websites offer instructions on how to read and understand a program. They can be purchased at the track, simulcast venue or a track's website. How Eye-Catching Hats Became a Kentucky Derby Fashion Trademark How to choose a horseĭetermining who to bet on can start with a daily racing program that lists entrants for each race and information including odds, jockey, trainer, silks, saddle towel color, and past performances. These states have legalized horse betting (check with your state's gaming commission for terms and conditions): Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. In New Jersey, TVG.com operates under the brand 4NJBets, and in Pennsylvania as PABets. When creating an account, the site will let you know if you cannot register if you choose a state on the 'illegal' list. Larger betting sites like, TVG.com and FanDuel are licensed by gaming commissions in each state.

Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters.Įven in most states that have legalized sports betting, placing a bet on horse racing is limited to certain tracks or websites, as the sport examines how to implement the new legislation. Get South Florida local news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox.

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