An exacta is a type of bet in thoroughbred horse racing where you must correctly predict which two horses will finish first and second in the exact order. Also known as a perfecta or exactor bet, an exacta requires precision in both your horse selections and their finishing sequence.
Types of Exacta Bets
Straight Exacta
You bet on one specific horse to win and another to place in that exact order. For example, betting Horse A to win and Horse B to place – you only win if Horse A finishes first and Horse B finishes second.
Exacta Box
This covers all possible combinations of your selected horses finishing first and second. A two-horse exacta box allows your horses to finish in either order but costs twice as much as a straight exacta.
Exacta Wheel
You can bet one horse to win and “wheel” several other horses to finish second, or vice versa. This is useful when you’re confident about one horse but uncertain about the runner-up.
Exacta Key
You pick one horse to win and combine it with multiple horses to place, or select multiple horses to win with one horse to place.
The exacta offers higher potential payouts than basic bets because of the increased difficulty in predicting both horses and their exact finishing order.