Fast Horses of Marion County

Place Your Bet!

How to Wager

Betting on thoroughbred horse races is not like betting at a casino. The system of betting on horse races is called pari-mutual. You are not betting against the racetrack to try to win. Pari-mutual means all bettors are wagering among themselves. Each type of bet has its own cash account or pool. When you win, your money comes from this pool.

Odds

At racetracks, betting odds are posted on tote boards in the track infield, in the paddock area and on televisions screens. Odds are calculated by how many people bet on each horse. Odds quoted are based on a $1 bet, even though a minimum bet is $2.

If the odds are 20 to 1, you could win $20 for every $1 you wagered. When you win you also receive back the money you bet.

Takeout

Takeout at a track isn't about food! Takeout is the money removed from each pari-mutual betting pool before gamblers are given their payoffs. Takeout shrinks the pool of money that can be won. Every track sets different takeout rates. The track uses takeout money to pay horse owners their winning purses, taxes and other costs.

Unlike casinos, racetracks typically charge a fee for parking and for track admission.

Racehorse Gambling Web Sites

Most "live video" horse racing and gambling Web sites charge 3 to 7 cents
a minute for accessing them beyond their home pages.

  The Daily Racing Form

  Handicapping Techniques

  Betting 101

  www.youbet.com

  www.racereplays.com

Florida Race Tracks