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How to key a trifecta

The trifecta requires you to select the first three finishers in order and can lead to big pay-offs. Keying lets you minimize your wager while giving you more chances to win.

Difficulty Level: Average      Time Required: 5 minutes


Here's How:
  1. Select the horse you think will win.
  2. Select two or more horses that you think have the best chance to finish second or third.
  3. Go to the betting window and tell the clerk which track and race you wish to bet on
  4. Tell the clerk "$1.00 trifecta key 1 over 2, 3, 4" (or whichever horses you selected).
  5. Make sure your ticket is correct before you leave the window.
  6. Take your ticket and watch and cheer for your selections.
Tips:
  1. The more horses you key under your winner, the better chance you have of cashing your ticket, but your ticket will also be more expensive.
  2. A 2 horse key is $2, a 3 horse key is $6, a 4 horse key is $12, a 5 horse key is $20, and a 6 horse key is $30.
  3. $1 is generally the minimum wager on a trifecta key but you can wager a larger amount if you like.

Related Features:

  • Wagering Tool from Del Mar will tell you how much your wager will cost.

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