Quinella
A horse racing wager where you pick two horses to finish first and second, in either order.
A quinella is a horse racing bet where you select two horses and win if they finish in the top two positions in any order. Unlike the exacta, you do not need to specify which horse finishes first and which finishes second.
Quinella vs. Exacta
The exacta requires you to name the exact finishing order. Horse A first, Horse B second. If they finish the other way, you lose. The quinella covers both orders, making it easier to win, though the payout is lower than an exacta with the same horses in the correct order.
Payout Calculation
Quinella payouts are calculated from a shared pari-mutuel pool. The pool is split among all winning tickets after the track takes its cut. A quinella combining two favorites pays less than one involving a long shot.
Boxing an Exacta
Bettors sometimes "box" an exacta (covering both finishing orders) as an alternative to the quinella. A boxed exacta on two horses costs twice as much as a single exacta but functions similarly to a quinella, with slightly different pool calculations.
Key Takeaways
- A quinella pays if your two horses finish first and second in either order.
- Easier to win than an exacta but pays less for the same horses.
- Payouts come from a pari-mutuel pool, so they vary by track and field.
Examples
- You bet a quinella on horses 3 and 7. They finish 7th-3rd. You win.
- Quinella on the two favorites at Churchill Downs pays $8.40 on a $2 bet.
Test Your Knowledge
1 / 3Do you know what Dead Heat means?
When two or more competitors finish tied, resulting in winnings split proportionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a quinella vs. an exacta?
An exacta requires you to pick the exact finishing order. A quinella pays if your two horses finish 1-2 in any order. The quinella is easier to win but pays less.