There are few more popular sports to bet on across the world than horse racing. Fortunately, many of the leading sportsbooks have bettors covered when they are looking to place a wager on the latest racing action.
For some of the biggest races, bettors are able to place bets on a wide range of markets, including the ever-popular win and place selections. However, some markets could offer better value for your money if you’re looking to wager on short price favourites.
Among those include the over/under lengths and the winning margin options. However, a preferred betting option for many of the experienced bettors on horse racing come in the form of the Exotics, which are among the most difficult to land returns.
You can learn about the different selection of Exotics markets available online here, and what each entails in order to secure returns.
What Are Exotics?
Exotic bets are unlikely many other types of markets available across other sports, as they require bettors to accurately predict the exact outcome of races.
Find more information here: https://www.twinspires.com/edge/racing/wagering/best-bets/
The challenging part of the bet is the fact that if just one selection is incorrect, the stake is lost. But, what are some of the Exotics that are available online?
Exacta
The most popular form of Exotic bet comes in the form of the Exacta, or Forecast in Europe. This market requires bettors to accurately predict the horses that finish first and second in the exact finishing order.
It is one of the easier Exotics to land, especially if there are two clear favourites at the top of the betting. But, the returns can still be handsome, meaning that it is never as easy as simply putting the one-two in the betting in the top two finishing positions.
Quinella
The Quinella is similar to an Exacta, but it can be slightly less lucrative. Here, a bettor will select two horses, and returns will be awarded providing that the selected runners finish in the first two positions. Unlike the Exacta, the correct finishing order isn’t required when making a Quinella.
Exacta Box
The Exacta Box option is most popular among bettors that are looking at two potential preferred options, but want to include a third selection at the prices on offer. Bettors can select three or more horses in an Exacta Box, and as long as two of the selected runners finishing in the first two, then a payout will be coming their way.
Bettors will need to play an increased stake to bet an Exacta Box, but it does offer a layer of insurance, meaning that it is typically a preferred option for beginners when wagering on Exotics.
Trifecta
An even more difficult Exotic to land comes in the form of the Trifecta. This option is similar in principle to the Exacta, but the main difference is that the bettor will have to correctly predict the horses that finish first, second, and third in the exact finishing order.
As the difficulty improves, so does the returns, meaning that substantial money can be won by landing a Trifecta on major races across the world.
Superfecta
An Exotic that could lead to life changing money being won comes in the form of the Superfecta. Similar to the Exacta and Trifecta, the bettor will need to correctly predict the finishing order.
However, unlike the prior mentioned markets, to land a Superfecta, the bettor must correctly predict the runners that finish exactly first, second, third, and fourth. It is the most challenging of the Exotic markets to secure a winner, but massive returns could be rewarded for winning selections.
Keying in Exotics
When betting on horse racing, a gambler may have a strong feeling that one runner is stronger than the remainder of the field. Therefore, this is where ‘keying’ can become a viable option.
This can be used in Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta box betting, as bettors will key their main selection to the winning position. Then, any of the other runners selected in the wager will need to finish in the required positions.
For example, you could key number four to win the race, with horses 7, 3, and 2 in an Exacta Box. A $2 trifecta box bet on these horses will cost $48, but with the keyed selection, the stake drops to $12.
Research is Key
Betting on Exotics is mostly enjoyed by passionate racing fans who watch the sport all year round and love to complete hours of research before making their selections.
All horses in the field must be assessed before making an Exotic bet, as there could be one outsider that could upset the bet. Therefore, bettors must assess all the possible form lines on offer, taking into account the run styles of the field and the best recorded speed figures.
