Horse racing can be a bit overwhelming for those who are new to the sport. With its storied origins dating to the late 13th or early 14th century, it’s no wonder that some of the distance measures used by modern horse racing can appear complex. Even simple details about each horse may require extra effort in understanding and deciphering them. Wagers too can be disconcerting at first, since traditionally-understood win bets are only a fraction of those offered within the sport.
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Types of Horse Races Explained
- Maiden Race: A maiden race is a horse racing event where all the horses competing have never won a race before.
- Claiming Race: In this type of race, each horse is “claimed” or purchased outright by another person after the race. The claiming price is typically set before the race begins.
- Allowance Race: This type of race is similar to a claiming race, however in an allowance race, the horse must be paid at least the amount for which it was entered into the race.
- Stakes Race: These are races that have been specially designated by a racing association or governing body. Stakes races usually have a much higher purse than other types of races.
Types of Horse Racing Bets Explained
The types of bets available in horse racing can be broken down into three main categories: straight bets, exotic bets, and combination bets.
Straight Bets
These are the simplest type of wagers with only a single outcome. The most popular straight bet is the “win” bet, which pays out if your chosen horse finishes first in the race. Other straight bets include “place” and “show” bets, which offer a return regardless of which horse comes first, second or third respectively.
Exotic Bets
These are more complex types of wagers, where you must choose multiple horses to finish in exact order (except quinella) for your bet to win. Types of exotic wagers include exactas, trifectas, superfectas, and more.
- Exactas: Select two horses to finish in first and second place respectively.
- Trifectas: Select three horses to finish in exact order.
- Superfectas: Select four horses to finish in exact order.
- Quinella: Select two horses to finish in either first or second place.
Combination Bets
These are a combination of straight and exotic bets. An example of a combination bet is the “daily double” where you must select the winners of two consecutive races for a return. Other combination bets include:
- Pick 3: Select the winners of three consecutive races.
- Pick 4: Select the winners of four consecutive races.
- Pick 5: Select the winners of five consecutive races.
- Pick 6: Select the winners of six consecutive races.
Racinos in Ohio
If you’re looking to get started on horse racing betting in Ohio, the state offers several racinos. Racinos are race tracks that also offer gaming options such as slot machines and video poker. Ohio’s seven racinos include:
| Racino | Address |
| Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course | 655 N Canfield Niles Road, Youngstown |
| Hollywood at Dayton Raceway | 777 Hollywood Boulevard, Dayton |
| Miami Valley Gaming | 6000 OH-63, Lebanon |
| Eldorado Scioto Downs Racino | 6000 S High Street, Columbus |
| JACK Thistledown Racino | 21501 Emery Road, North Randall |
| Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center | 6301 Kellogg Road, Cincinnati |
| Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park | 1000 Broadway Street |
Who Can Bet on HoTips Before Betting on Horse Races
Watch a Few Games First
Before placing any bets, it is important to watch a few horse racing games. This will give you an idea of the field and its respective strategies.
Study the Form Guide
It’s very important to go through the form guide for each race before you place your bet. The form guide includes information about each horse, such as previous performances, weight, and jockey. This will give you an idea of which horse may have the best chance of winning.
Shop Around for Odds
Different bookmakers offer different odds on a given event, so it pays to shop around before placing your bet.
Ask the Veterans
Veterans of horse racing have lots of valuable knowledge and insights that can help you make better wagering decisions. Don’t be afraid to ask them for advice.
Never Chase Losses
Horse racing is a long-term game, and chasing losses can lead to more losses in the long run. Therefore, it’s important to set a budget and stick to it.
Other Horse Racing Terms You Should Know
- Chalk: A slang term for the favorite to win a race.
- Closer: A closer is a horse that performs best when running from behind and finishing strong at the end.
- Favored Horse: This is the horse most likely to win in a given race as determined by pre-race handicapping.
- Field: All of the horses running in a single race are referred to as the “field”.
- Front-runner: This is a horse who tends to take the lead early in a race, setting the pace for the rest of the field.
- Lasix: Lasix is a drug administered to horses before races that helps reduce fatigue and improve performance.
- Mudder: A horse who excels in wet, muddy conditions.
- Post-Time: This is the time at which the race will begin. All bets must be placed before post-time.
- Purse: This is the total prize money available for the race, which is divided among the winning horses and their owners.
- Scratch: When a horse is “scratched” from the race, it means that the horse has been removed from competition due to injury, illness, or other reasons.
