ITM Plus - BC Exacta and Trifecta Strategies
Nick Tammaro
Breeders’ Cup is upon us and with it come some of the best wagering opportunities we will see all year. Even with a less than stellar lineup of dirt races, there are plenty of chances to make big scores, even with logical horses very much in the mix.
Just a bit of personal history…my best Breeders’ Cup came in 2014 when I finished 4th in the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge. I amassed a bankroll of just over $34,000 by betting, and hitting, nothing but trifectas throughout the card. The big scores were five figure tallies in the Juvenile Fillies, Filly and Mare Sprint and the Mile. It was a day to be remembered. But it also ruined my live money contest play for an extended period of time. I chased the same rainbows throughout 2015 and came up empty handed on numerous occasions. When I eventually placed in the BCBC again in 2018, my wagering was considerably different. I had embraced the exacta pool in a much more significant way and found that it suited my style quite a bit better. My big scores in that BCBC came with Sistercharlie in the exacta pool and in the Classic with Gunnevera.
The key to successful wagering is precision. That is the case on Breeders’ Cup weekend, as well as any regular day of racing. The more you spread, the more your bankroll suffers. This was a costly lesson for me over time. My wagers in this space will focus on attempting to be precise and creating the most value. Good luck!