A Trifecta Bet is picking horses to finish first, second and third. Place a straight trifecta, trifecta wheel or trifecta box. Each trifecta variant has its own mechanics and cost. This tutorial explains how to place each trifecta bet. See example trifecta cost tables below.
A winning trifecta bet can result in a substantial payout. Remember, picking the top 3 horses is less likely.
Table of Contents
First, let’s define a trifecta bet.
The following video clip explains how to place this bet. Watch the entire video for other horse bets.
Straight Trifecta Bet
| Bonus | |
|---|---|
 #1 TwinSpiresREVIEW | New Customers - $200 Signup Bonus - Code: BET200 Bet Now 21+ Play from any approved state Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700 |
Choose 3 horses to finish first, second and third. Final order matters.
Your trifecta wins if the horses finish in the exact order you specified.
Cost: $1
How to Place a Trifecta Bet
Time needed: 1 minute
How to Place a Trifecta Bet
- Create a new horse betting account or login to your existing account
Create a new player account at one of our recommended horse betting sites or login to your existing account.
- Choose a race track and upcoming race
Review the horse betting site’s list of horse tracks and upcoming races. Morning line odds are typically available about 3-5 hours before wagering begins.
- Select a trifecta bet from the wagering menu
Tap “Trifecta” bet from the horse racing’s wagering menu. You might need to tap open exotics or “other” wagers to display the trifecta bet.
- Choose the first, second, and third horses in the order your desire, then book the wager
Choose a horse to finish first, another to finish second, and one final horse to finish third. Final order matters. A trifecta bet costs $1.
- Your trifecta bet wins if the horses finish in the order you specified
Carefully review the race results. If the top three finishers match the horses and final order you specified, your trifecta bet wins.
Example Ticket:
$1 Straight Trifecta on Horses 6-1-8 means you are betting $1 that horses 6, 1, and 8 will finish first, second and third in order.
Trifecta Box Bet
| Bonus | |
|---|---|
| #1 TwinSpires REVIEW | New Customers - $200 Signup Bonus - Code: BET200 Bet Now 21+ Play from any approved state Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700 |
A Trifecta Box bet is picking any number of horses to finish first, second and third. Final order does not matter.
Your trifecta box bet wins if any of your horses finish in the top 3 in any order.
The trifecta box costs more than a straight trifecta because you must pay for each possible finishing combination.
Cost: $1 per Combination
Trifecta Box Cost
H = Total number of horses being boxed.
C = Cost per Combination, usually $1.
(H) x (H – 1) x (H – 2) x (C)
A 3 horse trifecta box costs $6 for 6 combinations: 3 x 2 x 1 x $1.
Tip
Racebooks will calculate trifecta box cost for you. See also this calculator.
How to Place a Box Bet
- Choose “Trifecta Bet”.
- Horses will be listed on the left. The next “ML” column contains the odds.
- Select 3 or more horses to finish first, second and third. Final order does not matter.
- You must select “Box” wager. This indicates the bet is a Trifecta Box.
- Notes: Racebooks will calculate box cost automatically.
Example Ticket:
A 4 Horse Trifecta Box on Horses 6-1-8-3 means you are betting $1 that any combination horses 6, 1, 8 or 3 will finish first, second and third in any order. This trifecta box costs $24 for 24 possible finishing combinations.
Trifecta Wheel Bet
| Bonus | |
|---|---|
| #1 TwinSpires REVIEW | New Customers - $200 Signup Bonus - Code: BET200 Bet Now 21+ Play from any approved state Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700 |
A Trifecta Wheel bet is picking sets of horses to finish first, second and third. Each set is called a key. Each key contains 1 or more horses.
Two Trifecta Wheel Bets
Trifecta Full Wheel – Put one horse in the 1st key with all other horses in the 2nd and 3rd keys. Alternatively, wheel 1 horse in the 2nd or 3rd keys with all others in the remaining keys.
Trifecta Part Wheel – Put one or more horses in one key with your own sets of horses in the remaining keys. The part wheel does not include all other horses.
Trifecta Wheel Details
A horse can be included in multiple keys. This is common for heavy favorites. They are more likely to finish in the top 3 than a longshot.
A trifecta wheel bet requires a specific finishing order from 3 sets of horses. Note that a trifecta box bet requires any order of 3 or more horses.
Your trifecta wheel bet wins if a horse from the 1st key finishes first, a horse from the 2nd key finishes second, and a horse from the 3rd key finishes third.
Cost: $1 per Combination
Trifecta Wheel Cost
This calcuation is more complicated because the same horse can included in multiple keys. Racebooks will calculate your trifecta wheel cost automatically.
Trifecta Wheel Combination Calcuation
A = Number Horses Key 1
B = Number Horses Key 2
C = Number Horses Key 3
AB = Number same horses in Keys 1 and 2.
BC = Number same horses in Keys 2 and 3.
AC = Number same horses in Keys 1 and 3.
ABC = Number same horses in KEys 1, 2 and 3.
(A x B x C)- (AB x C) – (BC x A) – (AC x B) + (ABC x 2) = Combinations
Multiply combinations times cost per combination.
Tip
Racebooks will calculate trifecta wheel cost for you. See also this calculator.
Example Ticket:
7 Horse Trifecta Part Wheel. 1-2 with 2-3-4 with 5-6-7 costs $15.
- 1st Key – Horses 1 and 2
- 2nd Key – Horses 2, 3 and 4
- 3rd Key – Horses 5, 6 and 7
Notes: 2 is in both 1st and 2nd key. 0 horses are in all keys.
Example Cost Calculation:
(A x B x C) = 2 x 3 x 3 = 18
– (AB x C) – (BC x A) – (AC x B) = – (1 x 3) – (0 x 2) – (0 x 3) = -3
+ (ABC x 2) = (0 x 2) = 0
18 – 3 + 0 = 15 Combinations x $1 = $15
Picks Stats for All Tracks
- Download link sent every Monday at 10:00 AM EST
- See our performance across 60+ Tracks
- Identify valuable Win, Place, & Show Opportunities
- Fully editable spreadsheet
Get Free Pick Data
Trifecta Betting Reference
$1 Trifecta Box
| Horses | Combinations | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 6 | $6 |
| 4 | 24 | $24 |
| 5 | 60 | $60 |
| 6 | 120 | $120 |
| 7 | 210 | $210 |
| 8 | 336 | $336 |
$1 Trifecta Part Wheel
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Combinations | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,3 | 4,5,6 | 6 | $6 |
| 1 | 2,3 | 4,5,6,7 | 8 | $8 |
| 1 | 2,3 | 4,5,6,7,8 | 10 | $10 |
| 1 | 2,3 | 4,5,6,7,8,9 | 12 | $12 |
| 1 | 2,3,4 | 5,6,7,8 | 12 | $12 |
| 1 | 2,3,4 | 5,6,7,8,9 | 15 | $15 |
| 1 | 2,3,4 | 5,6,7,8,9,10 | 18 | $18 |
| 1 | 2,3,4,5 | 6,7,8,9,10 | 20 | $20 |
| 1 | 2,3,4,5 | 6,7,8,9,10,11 | 24 | $24 |
| 1 | 2,3,4,5,6 | 7,8,9,10,11,12 | 30 | $30 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5 | 6,7,8,9 | 24 | $24 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5 | 6,7,8,9,10 | 30 | $30 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5 | 6,7,8,9,10,11 | 36 | $36 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5,6 | 7,8,9,10,11 | 40 | $40 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5,6 | 7,8,9,10,11,12 | 48 | $48 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5,6,7 | 8,9,10,11,12,13 | 60 | $60 |
| 1,2,3 | 4,5,6,7 | 8,9,10,11,12 | 60 | $60 |
| 1,2,3 | 4,5,6,7 | 8,9,10,11,12,13 | 72 | $72 |
| 1,2,3 | 4,5,6,7,8 | 9,10,11,12,13,14 | 90 | $90 |
| 1,2,3,4 | 5,6,7,8,9 | 10,11,12,13,14,15 | 120 | $120 |
FAQs on Trifecta Bets
Choose three horses to finish first, second, and third in the order you specified. Final race order matters. Trifectas cost $1 each.
Choose 3 or more horses to finish in the top 3 in any order. Final order doesn’t matter. Each possible winning combination costs $1 each.
Put one horse in the 1st key with all other horses in the 2nd and 3rd keys. Alternatively, wheel 1 horse in the 2nd or 3rd keys with all others in the remaining keys.
Put one or more horses in one key with your own sets of horses in the remaining keys. The part wheel does not include all other horses.
A trifecta bet is picking horses to finish first, second, and third in the order you specify. A superfecta bet is picking horses to finish first, second, third, and fourth in the order you specify. A superfecta is harder to win as you must also pick a horse to finish fourth.
A straight trifecta bet is for 3 horses. A straight superfecta bet is for 4 horses to finish in the order you specified. Note also that 3, 4, or more horses could be selected for a trifecta box bet or trifecta wheel bet.
Horse Betting Resources
- Horse Racing Betting Tracks – Complete list of today’s thoroughbred horse races and harness races from major United States tracks and raceways, plus a select list of Canadian and Latin American tracks.
- Horse Betting Sites – We’ve reviewed the finest legal US horse racing betting sites, offering our own insights and guidance on where to place a bet. Don’t forget to claim your bonus code.
- How to bet on Horses – We’ve made horse racing betting easy, giving you a basic rundown of the win, place, show, and win-place-show bet. You’ll also learn how place a trifecta, superfecta, exacta, or quinella bet.
Exotic Horse Bets
- Exacta Bet – Bet on two horses to finish first and second in the order you specify. Like other exotic bets, you can box or wheel an exacta bet.
- Quinella Bet – This bet is similar to the exacta, except you’re picking two horses to finish first and second in any order. That means they could finish A-B, or B-A, and your quinella would still win. You can also box or wheel a quinella.
- Trifecta Bet – Bet on three horses to finish first, second, and third in the order you specify, or try a trifecta box or trifecta wheel bet.
- Superfecta Bet – It’s hard to win a superfecta, which is a bet on four horses to finish first, second, third, and fourth in the order you specify. Hitting a superfecta box or superfecta wheel bet might be easier.
- Daily Double Bet – Pick the winners of two consecutive horse races from the horse track’s list of eligible races. For more flexibility, you can try a daily double wheel bet. You can’t box a daily double bet.
- Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Bets – Pick the winners of 3, 4, 5, or 6 consecutive horse races. Like the Pick 3, you’ll need to review the horse track’s list of eligible races before placing this longshot wager. You can also wheel a Pick bet.
Kentucky Derby Resources
- Kentucky Derby Betting Odds – Odds to win this year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Learn how to bet on the Kentucky Derby.
- Kentucky Derby Trifecta Picks – See our trifecta picks for this year’s Kentucky Derby, with prerace commentary and updates before the Derby.
- Kentucky Derby Betting Sites – Best legal online horse betting sites that accept Kentucky Derby wagers, plus last minute race picks.
Preakness Stakes Resources
- Preakness Betting Odds – Odds to win this year’s Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan, with a quick guide to how to bet on these two exciting annual horse racing events.
- Preakness Trifecta Picks – We’ve got a trifecta picks for this year’s Preakness Stakes, offering you the chance to improve your odds with an efficient trifecta wheel bet.
- Preakness Superfecta Picks – If you’re feeling lucky, try our Preakness superfecta part wheel bet, where you’ll key in sets of horses and try to nail the right finish. Though it’s notoriously an elusive bet to win, the potential payout is extremely lucrative.
- Preakness Betting Sites – Last minute picks and the best places to place an online wager for the Preakness Stakes this year.
Belmont Stakes Resources
- Belmont Stakes Betting Odds – See odds to win this year’s Belmont Stakes. If a horse has won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, a Triple Crown will be on the line.
- Belmont Stakes Trifecta Picks – Check out our trifecta part wheel picks for the Belmont Stakes. A part wheel is easier to win than a straight trifecta bet.
- Belmont Stakes Superfecta Picks – Picks for a winning Superfecta Part Wheel at this year’s Belmont Stakes.
- Belmont Stakes Betting Sites – Legally bet on this year’s Belmont Stakes from the comfort of your home with our highly regarded online horse betting sites, then have a look at our last minute race picks.
- Belmont Stakes Trends – Review Belmont Stakes trends before placing a bet. Find out which post position is the most likely to produce a winner.
Breeders’ Cup Resources
- Breeders’ Cup Betting Odds – Odds to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic and other top-tier events from this seminal horse racing event that serves as the capstone for each racing season, with juvenile race winners likely to be Triple Crown contenders the following year.
- Breeders’ Cup Distaff Betting Odds – See the latest odds to win the Breeders’ Cup Distaff race, held on the Saturday afternoon just before the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
- Breeders’ Cup Mile Betting Odds – Enjoy the thrill of the often underrated Breeders’ Cup Mile, a stunning race held early Saturday afternoon before the main event.
- Breeders’ Cup Turf Betting Odds – Another great race on the undercard, the Breeders’ Cup Turf showcases the world’s top horses on grass. Get the latest odds before the race goes off Saturday afternoon.