How to Bet
   
  INTRODUCTION TO PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING
  When you place a bet at any of the three NYRA racetracks - Aqueduct, Belmont Park or Saratoga Race, you are betting against everyone who is making the same type of wager in the same race, whether they are on-track patrons or participating in the wagering process from simulcast sites across the nation. The racetrack simply deducts a percentage from each dollar wagered for payment of purses, expenses and state taxes. This deduction or takeout is less than 20 percent at NYRA tracks with over 80 percent of all wagers returned to the bettors. Unlike casino gambling, where you are betting against the house, Thoroughbred racing is a "parimutuel venture."

    Pierre Oller introduced "parier mutuel" in his native France in 1865 meaning "mutual stake" or "betting among ourselves." As this form of wagering was adopted in England it became known as "Paris mutuals," and soon thereafter "parimutuels." Pari-mutuel odds reflect how much is wagered on each horse or combination relative to the size of the mutuel pool.
You must be 18 or older to wager at NYRA racetracks
   
   
  CASHING MUTUEL TICKETS BY MAIL
 

Winning pari-mutuel tickets from all races conducted throughout 2009 at Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga or any simulcast track NYRA offers wagering on must be presented for payment on or before March 31, 2010 and can be cashed during any race day at the current live racing NYRA meet. You cannot cash winning NYRA mutuel tickets at any OTB.

Winning NYRA mutuel tickets may also be sent by certified or registered mail to the address listed below and must be received by NYRA no later than March 31, 2010. In accordance with NYSRWB rules, NYRA must be in possession of these tickets no later than March 31, 2010 in order to be eligible for payment. Therefore, tickets mailed with an earlier postmark but received by NYRA after March 31st will not be processed. Please allow sufficient time to make certain that NYRA is in receipt of your ticket(s) before this deadline.

New York Racing Association
ATTN: Mutuel Dept.
PO Box 90
Jamaica NY 11417

The physical address for NYRA is the following:

Aqueduct Racetrack
110-00 Rockaway Blvd.
Jamaica NY 11420

It is advised that you keep copies for your records.

For winnings that exceed 300-1 odds - more than $600 - the Internal Revenue Service requires that a W2-G Tax Form is completed. This form requires two proofs of identity: 1, Copy of Drivers License or State issued photo ID; and 2, Copy of Social Security Card or a card that establishes your identity and includes your social security number. All winnings subject to reporting and/or withholding as described in IRS form W2G will be administered in accordance with applicable IRS code.

   
   
  NEW RULE FOR UNCASHED TICKETS
  Effective January 1, 2009, pari-mutuel tickets not cashed within 10 days of purchase that have a value of $300 or more must be redeemed at IRS-designated mutuel windows. The patron needs to provide a name, home address, date of birth and social security number. This requirement is part of a new rule that was opposed by The New York Racing Association, but still implemented by the New York State Racing & Wagering Board. Please note that unless the payout on the ticket is 300-1 or higher and in excess of $600, the patron’s information will not be reported to the IRS. The same requirements apply for tickets cashed by mail that meet these parameters.
   
   
  WIN, PLACE AND SHOW
 
 
  Win: You win if your horse finishes first.
Place: You win if your horse finishes either first or second.
Show: You win if your horse finishes either first, second or third.

The odds commonly displayed on the Tote Board and on television monitors throughout the track are the "win" odds. Here are the minimum payoffs on $2 win wagers:

     Win Odds Minimum Payoff Win Odds Minimum Payoff
1-1 $4.00 6-1 $14.00
2-1 $6.00 8-1 $18.00
5-2 $7.00 10-1 $22.00
3-1 $8.00 12-1 $26.00
7-2 $9.00 15-1 $32.00
4-1 $10.00 20-1 $42.00
9-2 $11.00 50-1 $102.00
5-1 $12.00    

The easiest bet to win is a show bet. If your selection finishes third or better, you win. The Pick 6, requiring the bettor to select six consecutive winners in as many races, or the Superfecta, requiring the bettor to select the correct 1-2-3-4 order of finish in a given race, are the most difficult. The higher the risk, the greater the payoff.
   
   
  2-HORSE WAGERS
 

Exacta: Selecting the two horses to finish first and second in exact order.
Quinella: Selecting the two horses to finish first and second in either order.
Daily Double: Selecting the winners of two designated (consecutive) races.

Wagers must be placed before the running of the first of the two races. The Daily Double is generally offered on the day's first two and last two races.

   
   
  3-HORSE WAGERS
 

Pick 3: Selecting the winners of three designated races run in succession.     
Trifecta: Selecting three horses to finish first, second and third in exact order
   
   
  EXOTIC WAGERS
 

Pick 6: Selecting the winners of six designated races run in succession.

Wagers must be placed before the running of the first of the six races. In the event there is no winner, there is a carryover pool (jackpot) to the next day's racing. There is also a daily consolation payoff to those who select five winners.

Superfecta: Selecting four horses to finish first, second, third and fourth in exact order. The Superfecta is generally offered on the day's final race.
   
   
  WINDOW BETTING
 

When you visit a mutuel window where tickets are sold and cashed, simply provide the following information:

    1. Name of track
    2. Race Number
    3. Amount of your wager
    4. Type of Wager
    5. Program Number(s)

Example: Belmont Park...Race 5...$2...to Win...on Number 10 Be sure to take your mutuel ticket before leaving the window. And remember, use the number and not the name of the horse when placing your wager.
   
   
  SELF BETTING MACHINES
  For your convenience and privacy, SAMs (Screen Activated Machines) are located throughout the track. SAMs accept winning pari-mutuel tickets or betting vouchers, which can be purchased at any mutuel window throughout the track, and the bettor can place his or her wager on the touch-screen terminal.
   
   
  MINIMUM WAGER
  The minimum wager for all bets, except the Pick 6, at NYRA tracks is $1. The Pick 6 minimum is $2.
   
   
  ADVANCE WAGERING
  Please be sure to state the correct race number when making an advance wager. For your convenience, advance wagering is available on all races approximately 45 minutes before the day's first race.
   
   
  MORNING LINE ODDS
  The morning line odds are displayed in the official track program and serve as the opening line for wagering on all races. The morning line is simply an educated opinion of how the wagering public will bet on each horse.
   
   
  ODDS
  The odds posted at the track on television monitors and on Tote Boards are a reflection of money wagered on a given horse relative to the total win pool. The odds change every 30 seconds as new money is wagered in the win pool.
   
   
  TOTE BOARD
  The track's main Tote board (graphic boards is located in the infield of the racetrack and smaller boards are available at designated locations throughout the track. The main tote board in the infield provides the following information:

    Post Time of the upcoming race and time of day
    Current Odds
    Total money wagered on each horse individually in the win,
    place and show pools
    Fractional times and the final time of a race
    Official results and payoffs of the most recently concluded race
    Additional messages and program changes
   
   
  COUPLED ENTRY
  A coupled entry in a race is when two or more horses with either a common owner or trainer are deemed an entry for wagering purposes. Thus, the coupled entry is comprised of two or more horses and is regarded as a single betting interest. .