2019 Belmont Stakes: Horse racing gambling terms, odds explained

Want to get in on the Belmont Stakes betting but don't know what any of it means? We've got you covered

By Pete Blackburn

Jun 8, 2019 at 3:07 pm ET • 2 min read

We've finally arrives at the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

With Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in the rearview mirror the best three year old thoroughbreds in America head to Long Island for the Belmont Stakes, which has a wide open field this year.

If you got hosed by the controversial finish at the Derby and the quirky Preakness well... you can still make up that lost coin.

Those who don't often participate in betting on the ponies may not understand all the excitement surrounding the events, but it's never too late to get in on the action. If you aren't exactly sure how it all works, don't you worry -- we're here to help you get up to speed.

Betting on horse racing can be quite confusing and overwhelming for a newcomer, especially if you don't particularly understand the process or the terminology of betting. Luckily, we've got you covered with a handy cheat sheet.

Who will win the Belmont Stakes? And what long shot hits the board hard? Visit SportsLine now to get Jody Demling's Belmont winner, see which huge long shot contends, and get the finish positions for every single horse, all from the man who hit the jackpot in the last two Belmont Stakes.

For the novice, there are pretty simple wagers. But, with the Belmont Stakes being one of the last big racing events on the calendar, there's also more opportunity to divulge in more exotic bets, in which the payouts can be huge.

An important disclaimer, though: Knowing the terminology doesn't guarantee you success in your wagers. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss ... and profitable.

Anyway, here's a rundown of the terms you'll want to be familiar with.

BET TO WIN: Well, this one is pretty self-explanatory. You're betting on a horse to win the race.
BET TO PLACE: You're betting on a horse to finish either 1st or 2nd in the race.
BET TO SHOW: You're betting on a horse to finish either 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the race.
EXACTA: You're betting on both the 1st and 2nd place finishers in a race.
TRIFECTA: You're betting on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in a race.
SUPERFECTA: You're betting on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishers in a race.
DAILY DOUBLE: You're betting on the winners of two separate races.
PICK 3: You're betting on the winners of three consecutive races.
PICK 4: You're betting on the winners of four consecutive races.
PICK 5: You're betting on the winners of five consecutive races.
PICK 6: You're betting on the winners of six consecutive races.

Obviously, some of those are more challenging endeavors than others so, as is always the case with gambling, play the odds at your own peril. Check out the latest odds and expected field here.