Horse racing is one of the time honored traditions of American sports betting. The highlight of this sport takes place every year during the months of May and June with the Triple Crown races, held at three different sites. The Kentucky Derby takes place in Louisville during the first Saturday in May. Two weeks later comes the Preakness Stakes in Bethesda. Finally, after a three-week layoff the Triple Crown season concludes with the Belmont Stakes held in Elmont. These races are just for three-year-old horses and they have the ability to produce big payouts in the exotic wagering. The following is a list of the different types of bets horse racing offers:

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Win bet: This is the simplest and most common bet. You bet on a winner at given odds. You collect only if your chosen horse is the first across the finish line.

Place: A wager for place means you collect if your selected horse finishes either first or second.

Show: The third horse across the finish line. A wager to show means you collect if your selected horse finishes either first, second or third.

Pick 3: This wager requires the player to pick the winners of three consecutive races. Some racetracks have a rolling pick 3, which is when the player must pick three races in a row and it continues for the next three races.

The Daily Double: You win if you pick the winner of the first and second race. To bet you say "$2 daily double on 3 (your pick to win in the first race) and 5 (your pick to win in the second race)". Your bet must be placed before the start of the first race.

Quiniela: You win if you pick two horses that finish first and second, in either order, in any single race. To bet you say "$2 quiniela, numbers 5 and 6". If the results of the first two horses are either 5-6 or 6-5, you win.

Quiniela Box: Pick three or more horses. You win if any two of your selections finish first and second. To bet you say "$2 quiniela box on 4, 5 and 6". You are making three separate bets so your minimum bet is $6. If they finish 4-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-5, 5-4 or 5-6 you win. You can box as few as three or as many as the field.

Perfecta or Exacta: The Perfecta is similar to the Quiniela, except the two horses must finish in the exact order. To bet you say "$3 Perfecta, 5-6". Only if the horses finish 5-6 you win.

Perfecta Box: As with the quiniela box, except the two horses must finish in the exact order. To bet you say "$2 perfecta box on 4,5 and 6". You are making six separate bets so your minimum bet is $12. If they finish 4-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-5, 5-4 or 5-6 you win. With Perfecta Box, for each extra horse you add to the box the possible combinations get compounded and your number of bets increases accordingly. A "$2 perfecta box on 4 horses" will cost you $24 (12 bets), a "$2 perfecta box on 5 horses" $40 (20 bets), and a "$2 perfecta box on 6 horses " $60 (30 bets).

Straight Trifecta: Pick the first three horses to cross the finish line in exact order. To bet you say "$2 trifecta numbers 7,4 and 5". Only if they finish 7-4-5 you win.

If you enjoy reading this article you'll like our Breeders Cup odds page. When it comes to betting the horses our horse betting terms feature is a must for any horse racing fan. Our Breeders Cup expert picks page is also must read when studding horse racing. For 35+ years the team at Doc's Sports Service has provided and insight on horse racing handicapping.

$1 Trifecta Box: Pick three horses to finish first, second and third, in any order. To bet you say "$1 trifecta box 2,3 and 5". You are actually making six $1 bets, so your total bet is $6. If they finish 2-3-5, 2-5-3, 3-2-5, 3-5-2, 5-2-3 or 5-3-2; you win.

$1 Trifecta Key: Pick your favorite horse to win, then two or more others to place and show in any order. To bet you say "$1 trifecta key on 1 with 2 and 3". You are actually making two $1 bets so your total bet is $2. To win your Key horse must win and the other two must finish either 1-2-3 or 1-3-2.

Superfecta: The straight superfecta is played by picking the first four horses to finish in exact order. To bet you say "$2 straight superfecta 1-3-2-8". You would collect if the race finishes exactly 1-3-2-8.

Doc's is your place for consistent horse racing winners. We nailed the 2005 Belmont Stakes where a $100 base bet would have netted you $713. Be sure to check back each May for more winners via Doc's Sports.

Here are some additional links that are very popular and will most importantly help you win.

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