blueclues:
First off, welcome to the RX. As to your question, an exacta is a wager where you bet two horses that you feel will finish first and second in the race in exact order (i.e. #1 & #5). In this example, horse #1 must win the race and horse #5 must finish second for you to win your wager. A trifecta is a wager where you bet three horses that you feel will finish first, second, and third in exact order (i.e. #1, #5, & #7). In this example, horse #1 must win the race, horse #5 must finish second and horse #7 must finish third for you to win your wager. When horse players use the term "key" they generally mean using one particular horse to finish first in a particular race and then coupling that with other horses in exotic wagers, such as exactas, trifectas, superfectas, daily doubles, pick 3's, pick 4's, pick 5's, pick 6's, etc. When horse players use the term "wheel", they generally mean using one particular horse to finish first with all the other horses finishing second in an exacta wager or all the horses in a second race of a daily double to win. An example would be an exacta wager in a six horse field using #5 as a key and wheeling all the other horses for second (i.e. 5/1, 5/2, 5/3, 5/4, and 5/6). Often times the player will use the key horse in a back wheel with the horse finishing second (i.e. 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 4/5, and 6/5). There are many, many ways of wagering on exotics. Not everything is covered here but I hope this answers your questions. I am going to move this thread to the Horse Racing Forum to allow our horse players to add anything this wish to in order to help. Feel free to ask any additional questions. We have some very helpful posters in the Horse Racing Forum. Most of all, best of luck.
