If you’ve ever wanted to stretch your horse racing bet across multiple races — and chase a life-changing payday — then multi-race bets like the Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, and Pick 6 are for you. These wagers reward consistency and skill by challenging you to predict the winners of several consecutive races. Available daily on MyWinners and at Winners venues, they’re some of the most exciting bets in US horse racing.
What are multi-race bets in horse racing?
What are multi-race bets in horse racing?
Multi-race bets require you to pick the winner of two or more races in a row:
Daily Double – Pick the winner of two consecutive races
Pick 3 – Pick winners of three consecutive races
Pick 4 – Four races
Pick 5 – Five races
Pick 6 – The ultimate test — six winners in a row
Each of these bets must be placed before the first race in the sequence. No changes or substitutions once the first race starts.
Where did multi-race bets come from?
Where did multi-race bets come from?
The Daily Double was the original multi-race bet, first introduced in the 1930s as a novelty. It became so popular that additional “Pick” sequences were created, each offering bigger pools, longer odds, and greater excitement. The Pick 6 quickly became legendary for its enormous carryovers and life-changing jackpots.
Why do bettors love Daily Double and Pick wagers?
Why do bettors love Daily Double and Pick wagers?
Massive payout potential — especially Pick 5s and Pick 6s
Carryovers — unhit pools roll into the next race day
Low base wagers — often just 50¢ or $1
Strategic edge — lets smart bettors capitalise on form, bias, and overlays
Excitement builds — you're involved in the card for longer
They’re especially popular during major race days like the Breeders’ Cup or Triple Crown weekends, when fields are deep and payouts are huge.
What types of races support multi-race betting?
What types of races support multi-race betting?
These bets are offered at nearly all pari-mutuel tracks on:
Thoroughbred racing
Harness racing
Quarter Horse racing
Greyhound racing
While Pick 3 and Pick 4 options are common on everyday race cards, Pick 5 and Pick 6 pools are typically offered once per day — usually during high-quality race sequences
What should bettors know before placing a Pick bet?
What should bettors know before placing a Pick bet?
Your ticket is only valid if all your selections win
You can select multiple horses per race (increases cost but improves your chances)
If a horse is scratched, the post-time favourite is substituted by default
These are pari-mutuel pools, so payouts vary
Available only to players in licensed betting states — MyWinners uses geolocation to verify eligibility
💡 Did You Know? In 2018, a bettor hit the Pick 6 at Del Mar on a $2 ticket and walked away with $1.1 million — despite one of their picks winning at odds of 27–1. That’s the power of longshots in a deep sequence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Pick 4 ticket cost?
How much does a Pick 4 ticket cost?
A basic $1 Pick 4 with one horse per race costs $1. But if you select two horses per race, it becomes 2×2×2×2 = 16 combinations = $16 total.
Can I play a 50¢ Pick 5 or Pick 6?
Can I play a 50¢ Pick 5 or Pick 6?
Yes — many tracks allow 50¢ base wagers, which helps keep multi-horse tickets affordable while maintaining payout potential.
What happens if a horse I pick is scratched?
What happens if a horse I pick is scratched?
Your pick is replaced by the post-time favourite unless you’ve selected more than one horse in that race.
Can I place these bets on greyhound races?
Can I place these bets on greyhound races?
Yes, you can place Pick bets on all greyhoud races.
Is it better to play more combinations or fewer races?
Is it better to play more combinations or fewer races?
It depends on your budget. Wider coverage (more horses per leg) increases your chance of winning but raises your total cost. Many bettors focus on Pick 3 and Pick 4 for a balance of risk and reward.