One of the largest horse racing events is at the gate and ready to get underway.
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which traditionally draws crowds rivaling only the likes of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, takes place Nov. 1-2 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA.
The 14-race event features purses ranging from $1 million and $6 million, making it one of the richest on the horseracing circuit.
Those looking to make a few bucks on any of these races don’t necessarily need to be at the California track. In fact, the majority of states across the nation allow for legal horse betting online.
Best ways to bet on the Breeders’ Cup
At home? The track? A casino, maybe? Not to worry, betting options abound for the Breeders’ Cup.
Online betting
As noted, three brands stand out as go-to destinations for mobile wagering on horse races: BetAmerica, TwinSpires and TVG.
Most states allow users to wager online via these platforms. These essentially bring all the types of bets from the track to the comfort of your home.
Of course, welcome bonuses are also a perk, and certainly you will find some upon sign-up.
Betting at the track
Something special surrounds the racetrack during an event: An indescribable feeling that creates excitement.
The food, the beverages, the horses and the short walk from seat to betting counter creates a unique experience.
Over two days, 14 races will take place at Santa Anita, offering abundant wagering opportunities for racegoers, who themselves can see things first-hand and get a “feel” for how a particular race will play out.
Off-track betting
Depending on your location, several off-track betting (OTB) parlors exist across the country, representing something of a compromise between going to the track and betting from home.
An OTB is any site not at the track that allows customers to place wagers on races. The majority of locations also feature simulcasts of the action.
Popular OTBs are available at turf clubs or even casinos. But if you’re not up for exploring blindly, head to the internet and have your question answered quickly.
What to bet on for the Breeders’ Cup?
The lingo of horse betting can baffle many folks, from first-timers to even the most avid enthusiasts. Again, fear not. Here’s your quick and handy guide to the jargon:
- Win: Picking a horse to win means, well, to win.
- Place: This selection requires the horse to finish first or second.
- Show: A top-three finish pays out on this bet.
- Exacta: More-skilled wager, you must correctly choose the winner and second-place finisher.
- Trifecta: Like the above but expanded, you must correctly pick the first-, second- and third-place finishers.
- Superfecta: And the toughest of all, nail the top four placers in order to cash out.
For a little more leniency on the latter three betting options, you can “box” your picks. Here, picks can finish in any order.
