Kentucky and colleges resource


Kentucky Derby Wagering Information

While you are at the Kentucky Derby you maypools are displayed. DEAD HEAT Two horses
want to try your luck at the betting windows.finish in exact tie. (Rare today because of
A bet on a race always makes the outcomes ofnew  photo  finish  technology)
the race more interesting so why not try your
luck. There are several factors and variablesMINUS POOL A mutual pool caused by heavy
when betting on a horse. These includebetting on a particular horse. If after
bloodline, sire (father), dam (mother), notdeductions for state tax and commission there
to mention the trainers, grooms and jockeys.is not enough money to pay the legally
These are well trained 3 year olds, but theyprescribed minimum payouts the racing
are still animals so anything can happen.association usually makes up the difference
Below is a short basic glossary of horseso everyone gets paid. IN THE MONEY
wagering terms. Betting at the Derby isFinishing first, second or third. ODDS ON
pari-mutuel which essentially means bettingOdds of less than even money example 5 to 4
among ourselves, in other words if you playon is really 4-5 odds. ON THE NOSE Betting
roulette in a casino you are betting againstto win only. POOL Total sum bet on a race
the house but in horseracing you are bettingor a particular bet. TAKE Commission
in a pool of sorts with other bettors. Oddsdeducted from mutual pools, shared by track
are set by how much money is bet onand  local  and  state  taxes.
individual  horses.
WIN BET Betting on a horse to finish first.
HANDICAPPING Professional handicappersOTHER  HELPFUL  TERMS
evaluate horses using factors such as, a
horses' past performance, behavior before andFIRST TURN The first bend in the track past
during previous races, genetics (bloodline),the  starting  point.
the jockey riding the horse, and the trainer
and groom. TYPES OF WAGERS Across the boardPADDOCK Area where horses are saddled before
wager. You are betting on the horse selectedpost time. This area is usually open to the
to win, place, or show. If you are lucky andpublic so you can look at and make your
your horse comes in first you will collect 3decisions on different horses to wager on.
ways. If your horse comes in second you willYou can observe the interaction of the
collect 2 ways. If your horse comes in thirdtrainers and grooms with the horses. This is
you will collect one way. EXACTA With thisan excellent place to observe pre race
type of wager you must pick the first twobehavior. POST Starting point or position
finishers  in  the  exact  order they finish.at starting gate. NECK Usually the length
of a horses neck or a quarter of a length.
QUINELLA With this wager two finishers mustBACKSTRETCH The straight way on the far side
be picked and payoff is made no matter whichof the track. FURLONG 220 Yards, 660 ft or
horse  finishes  first  or  second1/8  of  a  mile
SHOW The horse that finishes third. SHOW BETRemember you can place bets for as little as
Wager  on  a horse to finish third or better.$2.00 or any amount you choose so go ahead
and try your luck and we wish you the best of
TRIFECTA This involves picking the firstluck. You can purchase racing forms, and you
three horses in the exact order they finish.will be inundated with information at the
WIN BET Picking which horse finishes first.track.
BOARD A tote board on which odds and betting



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