Here are the basics to playing the races at Golden Gate Fields.

The Odds

The odds are determined by the betting public, specifically the win pool. So, the lower the odds the more the betting public believes that horse will win. The horse with the lowest odd is known as the favorite. 

The odds also determine the payouts. The following chart shows the approximate amount a bettor will receive if his horse wins (win bet, $2 bet):

Choosing a Horse

Choosing a horse is not has hard as it seems. Making an informed decision is as easy as going down to the paddock (located to the right of the Winner's Circle) and looking at the competition. 

Arched neck: shows confidence and pride

Ears pricked forward: shows happiness and confidence

Light on the hooves: shows energy and awareness

Slightly raised tail: shows energy and awareness

Shiny coat: shows good health

Remeber, these attributes don't guarentee a winner. 

The jockeys can also help you pick a winner. A good jockey wins 13-15% of their mounts and are in the money (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) at least 40% of the time. This information can be found in the racing program. 

Exotic Bets
Exotic bets include more than one horse or more than one race. Though harder to win, the payouts are significantly higher than a simple win, place, and show bet. 

Vertical Bets
Bets that include two or more horses in one race. 

EXACTA: You must pick the two horses finishing first and second in EXACT order ($1minimum)

QUINELLA: You must pick the two horses finishing first and second in EITHER order. 
($2 minimum)

TRIFECTA: You must pick three horses finishing first, second, or third in EXACT order.
($1 minimum)

SUPERFECTA: You must pick four horses finishing first, second, third, and fourth in EXACT order.
(.10 cent minimum)

SUPER HIGH 5: You must pick five horses finishing first, second, third, fourth, and fifth in EXACT order. Only on selected races. If no one selects corectly, 70% of the pot will carryover to the next race day.
($1 minimum)

Horizontal Bets
Bets that include a series of races.

DAILY DOUBLE: You must pick the winners of two designated, consecutive races. Usually, rolls throughout the card.
($2 minimum)

PICK THREE: You must pick the winners of three designated, consecutive races. Usually, rolls throughout the card.
($1 minimum)

PICK FOUR: You must pick the winners of four designated, consecutive races. Usually, one early pick 4 and one late pick 4.
(.50 cent minimum)

PICK SIX: You must pick the winners of six designated, consecutive races. Usually, available for the last 6 races. If no one hits 6 of 6, 70% of the pot will carryover to the next race day.
($2 minimum)

TRI-SUPERFECTA:  A two leg exchange wager involving a Trifecta bet in Race 6 and a Superfecta bet in Race 7 with the potential for a large carryover pool.

The wager begins with a Trifecta wager on Race 6 each day that has a $1 minimum. The wager requires the bettor to pick the winning Trifecta combination during the first leg of the wager to qualify for a share of 50% of the net pool with other winners and also receive an exchange wager for the second leg of the pool. The exchange wager is then used to select the correct Superfecta combination in Race 7 where the remaining 50% of the net pool is then distributed. If no one correctly selects the correct Superfecta combination in the second leg of the exchange, then the 50% of net pool set to be distributed in the second leg will carry over to the next racing day the pool is offered.

For more information on racing terms and betting tips, click on the PDF below.

» Beginner's Guide to Pari-mutuel wagering.pdf (55k)*

* The Beginner's Guide is offered in .pdf format. You'll need the (free) Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print this file.