Here ya go......in general I bet a win, a place and a boxed combo in every race - makes it more fun. And as far as strategy goes, bet on the color, name, jockey, or the size of the pile of horse crap if ya like just have fun doing it

WIN - You bet your horse to finish first. If your horse wins you collect.
PLACE - You bet your horse to finish second. If your horse finishes first or second you win.
SHOW - You bet your horse to finish third. If your horse finishes first, second or third you win.
ACROSS THE BOARD - You bet your horse to win, place and show. If your horse finishes anywhere in the first three positions you win.
WIN-PLACE - You bet your horse to win and place. If your horse finishes in either of the first two positions you win.


EXACTA - You bet two horses to finish first and second in exact order. A $2 Exacta 3-5 means that horse #3 must win and horse #5 must finish second. A $2 Exacta box 3-5 costs twice as much ($4) but combines the two horses to finish first and second, in either order. A $2 Exacta Box 3-5 pays off if the final order finish is either 3-5 or 5-3.

QUINELLA You bet two horses to finish first and second in either order. A $2 Quinella 4-5 pays off if the final order of finish is 4-5 or 5-4. As long as your two horses finish in the top two positions, you win. Quinellas generally (but not always) pay less than Exactors, simply because your two selections can finisher in either order, rather than in exact order.

TRIFECTA You bet three horses to finish first, second and third in exact order. A $2 straight Trifecta 4-5-6 pays off only if the final order of finish is 4-5-6. A popular wager among many horseracing fans is a $1 Trifecta box of three or more horses. A $1 Trifecta box of three horses such as 4-5-6 costs $6 but includes six possible winning $1 combinations. The box pays off if your three selections finish in the top three positions in any order. The cost of a $1 Trifecta box is equal to the number of combinations multiplied by $1. Trifectas can produce huge payoffs on occasion. At some racetracks Trifectas are referred to as Triactors.

SUPERFECTA Another wager that can produce huge payoffs. You bet four horses to finish first, second, third and fourth in exact order. A $2 straight Superfecta 4-6-5-2 pays off only if the final order of finish is 4-6-5-2. A popular wager among many fans is a $1 Superfecta wheel, in which you select one horse to win and a combination of other horses to finish second, third and fourth. The cost of a $1 Superfecta wheel with one horse to win and three other horses to finish in any order in the second, third and fourth positions, costs $6. The cost of a $1 Superfecta box including four horses to finish first second, third and fourth, in any order, is $24.

WAGERING DENOMINATIONS - Exacta and Trifecta boxes and wheels are offered at most online betting sites and racetracks as $1 wagers. The minimum bet for a Quinella is $2. Superfectas are offered at some racetracks for as little as $0.10 per combination. For example, a $0.10 Superfecta box including four horses would cost you $2.40. Of course, a lower wagering amount normally means a lower payout. If a $1 Superfecta box pays off at $100, a $0.10 Superfecta Box would pay $10.

Thanks, all. I knew you guys were experts. I am going to bet on fast, but not favored, gray horses who poop big before the start, ridden by successful jockies that have to pee (this is all pretty scatological). If there are three of these in one race, I'll box them and I won't bet too much.

I get free food and drinks, so I can't lose anyway. I figure mint juleps would be appropriate.

Experts at loosing money on the ponies.

Enjoy