Exacta Box Calculator
Calculate the cost of boxing horses in an exacta bet
Enter 2 or more horse numbers
Formula: Combinations = n × (n - 1), where n = number of horses
Example: Boxing 4 horses = 4 × 3 = 12 combinations
What is an Exacta Box?
An exacta box is a horse racing bet where you select multiple horses to finish first and second in either order. Boxing your exacta means you win if any of your selected horses finish 1-2 in any combination.
For example, if you box horses 3, 5, and 7, you win if they finish: 3-5, 5-3, 3-7, 7-3, 5-7, or 7-5. The tradeoff is that boxing costs more because you're placing multiple bets.
The minimum exacta box requires 2 horses (2 combinations). A 3-horse box has 6 combinations, 4-horse box has 12 combinations, and so on.
📖Deep Dive: Exotic Bet Costs Guide
Complete cost tables for exactas, trifectas, and superfectas at different bet amounts, plus box vs wheel comparison.
Read Exotic Bet Costs Guide →💀The Graveyard of Champions: Travers Stakes
Learn the contrarian exacta box strategy that profits from Saratoga's famous favorite-busting tradition.
Read Travers Stakes Guide →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an exacta box cost?
An exacta box costs the base bet times the number of horses times (number of horses minus 1). A $1 three-horse box is 3 x 2 = 6 combinations = $6. A $1 four-horse box is 4 x 3 = 12 combinations = $12.
What is the difference between an exacta box and a straight exacta?
A straight exacta requires picking the exact 1-2 finish order. A box covers every order among your horses, so any two of them finishing 1-2 wins - but you pay for each combination, so the same budget takes a smaller share of each.
Is boxing an exacta a good strategy?
Boxing is convenient but treats all your horses as equally likely, which is rarely true. Keying your top pick on top over the others usually offers better value; save full boxes for wide-open races with no clear favorite.
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