TurfPedia - The Horse Racing Encyclopedia

EXACTAS

Probably the most popular bet at the track is the exacta, a combination bet where horses must finish one-two in the exact order.

Exacta combinations can be underlays, and frequently are. The exacta-betting chart below shows the fair-value $2 payoffs for several odds combinations. Handicappers can take the chart to the track and compare the recommended payoffs with the exacta "probables" projected on the monitors. Only when the actual payoffs exceed the recommended payoffs should handicappers bet exactas.

Regarding strategies,
There are three "don'ts" and two "do's" in exacta wagering. Handicappers are strongly encouraged to stick close to the don'ts and do's in exacta wagering.

THREE DONT'S

1. Do not use favorites below 2-1 on top.
2. Do not combine pairs of longshots, i.e., 12-1and greater.
3. Do not bet baseballs, which means boxing three or more horses in every possible combination.

TWO DO'S

1. Do use favorites below 2-1 on the bottom.
2. Do box pairs of medium-priced horses, i.e., 3-1 to 8-1.

One final comment. If handicappers must use favorites below 2-1 on top in exacta combinations, throw out the second and third betting choices arbitrarily. Combine the overbet favorites with overlays and longshots only.

CUTOFF DOLLAR AT 15 TO 20 PERCENT PROFIT FOR
$2 EXACTA WAGERING AT ODDS OF 6-5 TO 8-1,
ODDS OF HORSES TO WIN ARE ATOP THE COLUMNS.

	6-5	7-5	8-5	9-5	2-1	5-2	3-1	7-2	4-1	9-2	5-1	6-1	7-1	8-1
6-5		11	13	14	17	20	24	28	32	37	43	51	59	67
7-5	11	13	14	16	18	22	26	31	35	40	47	56	65	74
8-5	12	13	15	17	20	24	28	33	38	44	51	60	70	80
9-5	13	14	16	18	21	25	31	36	41	47	55	65	75	86
2-1	14	16	18	20	24	29	34	40	46	52	61	73	84	96
5-2	16	19	21	23	27	33	39	46	53	60	70	83	97	110
3-1	19	22	24	27	31	38	45	53	61	69	81	96	112	127
7-2	21	24	27	30	36	43	52	60	69	79	92	109	127	144
4-1	24	28	31	34	40	48	58	68	78	89	104	123	143	162
9-2	27	31	34	38	45	54	65	76	87	99	116	137	159	181
5-1	30	35	39	44	51	62	74	87	100	113	132	157	182	207
6-1	35	41	46	51	60	72	86	101	116	132	154	183	212	241
7-1	40	47	52	58	68	82	98	115	432	150	176	209	242	275
8-1	45	53	59	65	77	92	111	130	149	169	198	235	272	310