An Exacta Box is a type of horse racing bet where you select two horses to finish first and second in any order. This means that if either of the two horses you’ve chosen wins and the other finishes second, you win the bet. Here’s how to place an Exacta Box bet:
1. **Choose Your Horses**: First, decide which two horses you think have the best chance of finishing first and second. Consider factors like the horses’ past performance, the jockeys, the track conditions, and any other relevant information.
2. **Go to the Betting Window or Use an Online Betting Platform**: If you’re at the track, you’ll need to go to the betting window. If you’re betting online, log in to your preferred betting platform.
3. **Tell the Teller or Input Your Bet**:
– At the betting window, clearly state your bet to the teller. You would say something like, “I’d like to place a $2 Exacta Box on horses 3 and 5.”
– Online, you’ll typically select the race, the type of bet (Exacta), and then choose the horses you want to box. You’ll also enter the amount you wish to bet.
4. **Understand the Cost**: An Exacta Box costs more than a straight Exacta because you’re essentially making two separate bets – one for each possible finishing order. If you’re betting $2 on an Exacta Box with two horses, the total cost will be $4 because there are two possible combinations (horse 1-horse 2 and horse 2-horse 1).
5. **Confirm Your Bet**: Make sure to double-check your bet slip or online ticket before finalizing it. Once your bet is placed, you cannot change it.
6. **Wait for the Race**: After placing your bet, you’ll need to wait for the race to see if your chosen horses finish in the top two positions in any order.
Remember that the more horses you include in an Exacta Box, the more expensive the bet becomes because the number of possible combinations increases. For example, a three-horse Exacta Box would cost $6 for a $2 bet (since there are six possible finishing orders for three horses).