Horse Racing Exotic Bet Costs: A Simple Guide to Boxing Bets
Find out exactly how much your exacta, trifecta, or superfecta box will cost before you place your bet.
Quick Answer
A $1 trifecta box with 5 horses costs $60.
Calculate Your Exact Cost
Use our calculators for any horse combination
What Does "Boxing" Horses Mean?
When you "box" horses in an exotic bet, you're covering all possible finishing combinations of your selected horses.
Example: 3-Horse Exacta Box
You box horses #2, #5, and #8. Your box covers:
= 6 combinations × $1 base = $6 total cost
You win if any of these combinations hit. The payout is based on whichever combination wins.
Exacta Box Cost Table
Pick the top 2 finishers in either order
| Horses | Combinations | $0.50 Box | $1 Box | $2 Box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 horses | 2 | $1.00 | $2 | $4 |
| 3 horses | 6 | $3.00 | $6 | $12 |
| 4 horses | 12 | $6.00 | $12 | $24 |
| 5 horses | 20 | $10.00 | $20 | $40 |
| 6 horses | 30 | $15.00 | $30 | $60 |
| 7 horses | 42 | $21.00 | $42 | $84 |
| 8 horses | 56 | $28.00 | $56 | $112 |
Exacta Box Formula
Combinations = Horses × (Horses - 1)
Example: 5 horses = 5 × 4 = 20 combinations
Trifecta Box Cost Table
Pick the top 3 finishers in any order
| Horses | Combinations | $0.50 Box | $1 Box | $2 Box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 horses | 6 | $3.00 | $6 | $12 |
| 4 horses | 24 | $12.00 | $24 | $48 |
| 5 horsesPOPULAR | 60 | $30.00 | $60 | $120 |
| 6 horses | 120 | $60.00 | $120 | $240 |
| 7 horses | 210 | $105.00 | $210 | $420 |
| 8 horses | 336 | $168.00 | $336 | $672 |
Trifecta Box Formula
Combinations = Horses × (Horses - 1) × (Horses - 2)
Example: 5 horses = 5 × 4 × 3 = 60 combinations
Superfecta Box Cost Table
Pick the top 4 finishers in any order
| Horses | Combinations | $0.10 Box | $0.50 Box | $1 Box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 horses | 24 | $2.40 | $12.00 | $24 |
| 5 horses | 120 | $12.00 | $60.00 | $120 |
| 6 horses | 360 | $36.00 | $180.00 | $360 |
| 7 horses | 840 | $84.00 | $420.00 | $840 |
| 8 horses | 1,680 | $168.00 | $840.00 | $1,680 |
Superfecta Box Formula
Combinations = Horses × (Horses - 1) × (Horses - 2) × (Horses - 3)
Example: 6 horses = 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 = 360 combinations
Quick Reference: $1 Box Costs
Box vs. Wheel: Which Should You Bet?
📦Box Bet
- Covers ALL finishing orders
- Best when unsure of order
- More expensive
🎯Wheel Bet
- "Key" horse must finish in position
- Best when you have a strong pick
- Much cheaper
Make Smarter Horse Picks with TrackWiz
Before you box your horses, make sure you're picking the right ones. TrackWiz uses AI-powered predictions, speed figures, and track bias analysis to help you identify contenders.
- AI-powered horse predictions
- Speed figures & pace analysis
- Track bias data for every race
5 Tips for Betting Exotic Boxes
Use $0.50 or $0.10 Base Bets
You don't have to bet $1 per combination. A $0.50 trifecta box with 5 horses is only $30 instead of $60.
Consider Wheels Over Boxes
If you have one horse you're confident will win, a wheel is much cheaper than boxing. Key that horse to win and box the rest.
Don't Box Too Many Horses
Adding one more horse dramatically increases cost. Going from 5 to 6 horses in a trifecta doubles your cost from $60 to $120.
Check the Takeout Rate
Exotic bets have higher takeout rates (20-25%) than win/place/show bets (15-17%). Use our Takeout Calculator to see the true cost.
Set a Budget Before Betting
Know exactly how much your box will cost before you place it. Use our calculators to avoid surprises at the betting window.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a $1 trifecta box with 5 horses cost?
A $1 trifecta box with 5 horses costs $60. This covers all 60 possible combinations of your 5 horses finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in any order. The formula is: 5 × 4 × 3 = 60 combinations × $1 = $60.
What's cheaper: a box or a wheel?
Wheels are much cheaper because you're locking one horse into a specific position. A trifecta wheel with 1 key horse and 4 others costs just $12, while boxing all 5 costs $60. Use wheels when you have a strong favorite to win.
Can I bet less than $1 per combination?
Yes! Most tracks allow $0.50 trifecta boxes and $0.10 superfecta boxes. This cuts your total cost in half (or more). The minimum varies by track and bet type.
Why does adding one more horse cost so much more?
The number of combinations grows exponentially. A 5-horse trifecta box has 60 combinations, but a 6-horse box has 120—double the cost. Each additional horse multiplies your combinations significantly.
What's the difference between an exacta and a quinella?
An exacta requires picking the exact 1st and 2nd place finishers in order. A quinella just requires your two horses to finish 1st and 2nd in either order. Quinellas cost half as much but typically pay less.
Horse Racing Calculators
Ready to Calculate Your Box Cost?
Use our free calculators to find the exact cost of any exotic bet before you place it.
Responsible Gambling
Sports betting should be fun, not a financial burden. Only bet what you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being enjoyable, please seek help.
National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700