To "play" at the horse track means to bet on a race.
A glossary for the horse race track betting window can help even the lowest grade amateur place bets with the necessary knowledge to compete to win. Experience also plays a valuable part in learning the action terms that are part and parcel of playing the horses.
The term "action" itself refers to the amount of betting money laid on a particular horse. A "dead on the board" horse is one who isn't receiving much betting action.
Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta
Almost everyone who has visited a race track knows the three words "exacta", "trifecta", and "superfecta". But if one wants to bet on a horse, knowing what these three terms mean in betting terms puts the bettor into knowledge control.
These terms mean the following:
- Exacta: wagering on the exact order of finish of the first two horses in one race
- Trifecta: a wager requiring the bettor to choose the exact order of finish of the first three horses in one race
- Superfecta: a wager requiring the bettor to choose the exact order of finish of the first four horses in one race
Quinella and Saver
A "quinella" bet requires the player to choose the first two finishers in one race, in either order.
An exacta bet with one's winning horse finishing in second place requires a pay back of the bettor's money if the horse loses, and is called a "saver".
Boxes, Keys, and the Wheel
The above three terms are the mainstay terminology of placing bets. The next three terms, "box", "key", and "wheel", extend the bettor's choices to achieve a win.
To "box" means to bet on two, or more horses to finish in any order in the exacta, or trifecta. Betting a "key" gives the bettor the choice of placing a bet on a horse on top of two, or more horses in the trifecta.
To "wheel" a bet, the bettor is betting on a horse on top of two, or more horses in the exacta, or in the daily double.
By using boxes and keys and the wheel approaches, the bettor has a chance to use a number of horses in the race to get to a payoff.
The Race Card
Bettors will find a complete listing of the day's races on the "race card". It lists all the day's races, as well as the day's top event. For instance, the Kentucky Derby race card will list all other races on the day, referred to as the "undercard" events of that day.
Knowing the terms of betting on race horses is vital, but just as important is knowing the horses themselves. Information on their previous performance records and their family backgrounds helps the bettor to asses the day's racing participants and will influence the betting choices. Who is the favorite's sire? Was he a winner? What about his dam? Did she race well? Did she produce any racing winners?
Progeny don't always follow in their parents' hoofprints, but knowing their lineage is helpful at the track to guide the betting public.
The other standard of guiding bettors is the Daily Racing Form. This pamphlet tells all about each horse in each of his home track races and at two other high profile race tracks. It gives the horse's parentage, trainer, owner, race record and earnings to date by year and total, which races he won, which races he competed in, etc. The Daily Racing Form is the bettor's bible.
Racing Terms
There is more information that the amateur bettor should know about the horses he intends to bet.
A "maiden" horse is one who is winless thus far. After gleaning more facts from the Daily Racing Form, would a bettor be likely to go for a maiden to win?
A "gate to wire", or "wire to wire" win means a horse has won a race by leading the field from the starting gate to the finish line. Will he do it this day?
A "hangin pig" refers to a horse who has menaced the leaders, but never passed them. A "stalker" is a horse who likes to run just behind the leaders before he tries to make his own move.
A most important element of the race for a bettor is the horse's position, or "hole" in the starting gate. Is the horse better near the rail (No. 1 hole), or does he run better from a wider starting position, perhaps the No. 5 gate (hole)?
A "cheap" horse is a slow runner. How often has a horse run "in the money" (first, second, or third) in his races? If a horse is a true long shot to win, he may be referred to as a "bomber".
Has the horse "bounced"? The term "bounce" means a horse achieved a tough win, then ran poorly in his next outing.
Knowledge and Experience
This short glossary of terminology is a basic essential for the amateur bettor.
There aren't many bettors who earn their living at the horse race track. However, knowledge, experience, and using the betting guides can produce a winning day for any amateur on any given day playing the horses.
BarbaraAnne Helberg - Barbara Anne Helberg, Supporter of Better Lives for Animals and Clean, Spirited, Competitive Sports
