Kentucky Derby Wagering Information

While you are at the Kentucky Derby you may wantpools are displayed.
to try your luck at the betting windows. A bet on aDEAD HEAT Two horses finish in exact tie. (Rare
race always makes the outcomes of the race moretoday because of new photo finish technology)
interesting so why not try your luck. There are severalMINUS POOL A mutual pool caused by heavy betting
factors and variables when betting on a horse. Theseon a particular horse. If after deductions for state tax
include bloodline, sire (father), dam (mother), not toand commission there is not enough money to pay the
mention the trainers, grooms and jockeys. These arelegally prescribed minimum payouts the racing
well trained 3 year olds, but they are still animals soassociation usually makes up the difference so
anything can happen. Below is a short basic glossaryeveryone gets paid.
of horse wagering terms.IN THE MONEY Finishing first, second or third.
Betting at the Derby is pari-mutuel which essentiallyODDS ON Odds of less than even money example 5
means betting among ourselves, in other words if youto 4 on is really 4-5 odds.
play roulette in a casino you are betting against theON THE NOSE Betting to win only.
house but in horseracing you are betting in a pool ofPOOL Total sum bet on a race or a particular bet.
sorts with other bettors. Odds are set by how muchTAKE Commission deducted from mutual pools,
money is bet on individual horses.shared by track and local and state taxes.
HANDICAPPING Professional handicappers evaluateWIN BET Betting on a horse to finish first.
horses using factors such as, a horses' pastOTHER HELPFUL TERMS
performance, behavior before and during previousFIRST TURN The first bend in the track past the
races, genetics (bloodline), the jockey riding the horse,starting point.
and the trainer and groom.PADDOCK Area where horses are saddled before
TYPES OF WAGERS Across the board wager. Youpost time. This area is usually open to the public so you
are betting on the horse selected to win, place, orcan look at and make your decisions on different
show. If you are lucky and your horse comes in firsthorses to wager on. You can observe the interaction
you will collect 3 ways. If your horse comes in secondof the trainers and grooms with the horses. This is an
you will collect 2 ways. If your horse comes in thirdexcellent place to observe pre race behavior.
you will collect one way.POST Starting point or position at starting gate.
EXACTA With this type of wager you must pick theNECK Usually the length of a horses neck or a quarter
first two finishers in the exact order they finish.of a length.
QUINELLA With this wager two finishers must beBACKSTRETCH The straight way on the far side of
picked and payoff is made no matter which horsethe track.
finishes first or secondFURLONG 220 Yards, 660 ft or 1/8 of a mile
SHOW The horse that finishes third. SHOW BETRemember you can place bets for as little as $2.00 or
Wager on a horse to finish third or better.any amount you choose so go ahead and try your
TRIFECTA This involves picking the first three horsesluck and we wish you the best of luck. You can
in the exact order they finish.purchase racing forms, and you will be inundated with
WIN BET Picking which horse finishes first.information at the track.
BOARD A tote board on which odds and betting