Trifecta

With this bet you must pick the first three finishing horses in the order of their finish. In other words, you must pick the horse that wins, the horse that finishes second and the horse that finishes third.

The simplest form of this wager is the Straight Trifecta, which is a single combination of the first three finishers. The minimum bet for a Straight Trifecta is $1. To purchase, simply tell the clerk: "$1 Trifecta on 1-2-3." A Trifecta is not offered in all races at all tracks (refer to program).

NOTE: This wager is also called the "Triple" at some tracks.

 

Trifecta Box

The trifecta box has a $1 minimum bet per combination -- $6 minimum total cost. You can box three or more horses on a single ticket and wager $1 (or more) on each combination.

Trifecta Key

The Key Wager requires the Key horse to finish FIRST with any combination of two or more horses finishing second and third. For example, if your key horse is #5 and your other horses are #'s 2, 4
and 6, you will win if #5 finishes first and two of your other three horses finish second and third.

 

Trifecta Full Wheel

You may select one or two horses to finish in a given position and combine your selection with all possible combinations. The number of combinations will vary according to the total number of horses in the race.

Trifecta Part Wheel

The trifecta part wheel is offered at a $1 minimum bet per combination -- $2 minimum total cost. It is now possible to make a Trifecta wager coupling one or more horses to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Strategy - Playing the Triacta

Playing the triacta's can be very tricky. The majority of the time you will have the exacta, and not complete the triacta. You are dealing with the top 3 finishers in a race. The more horses you add into your ticket the price goes up in a hurry. The best way to play triacta's is to box horses.

Okay this is where you can bet combinations that the price comes down a little but the chance of losing increases. You looked at your program and you think the #1 is going to win but you are not sure about second or third. Decisions, decisions.

 

Here are a couple of examples that may help you. One way that you can bet your ticket is expensive but if you are confident your horse will win would be:

 

The way that most people play, if they like a horse, is $1.00 tri key #1 with / #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 cost $20.00. The #1 horse must win and any of the other five horses may finish 2nd and 3rd.

 

Another way you can play your tri's is $1.00 tri #1, #2 with / #1, #2, #3 with / #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 cost $ 16.00. The #1 or # 2 must win. the #1, #2, or #3 must finish 2nd. the #1, #2, #3, #4, or # 5 must finish 3rd.

 

You can also play this combination of bets a different way. example: $1.00 tri #1, #2 with / #1, #2, #3 ,#4, #5 with / #1, #2, #3 cost $16.00. The #1 or #2 must win, the #1, #2, #3, #4, or #5 must finish 2nd, and the #1, #2, or #3 must finish 3rd.

Tip: A common mistake many bettors make is not changing their betting patterns when on a losing streak. If it seems like all the horses your are betting are finishing 2nd and 3rd or in most cases 1st and 3rd change your betting pattern - you will be amazed how your luck can change.

 

Back to Top