The Program. Straight Bets. Win You win if your horse finishes first. Place You win if your horse finishes first or second.

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1 Wagering Guide

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3 The Program HOW TO READ A RACE PAGE Straight Bets Pick a horse. Put down a minimum of $2. Choose Win, Place or Show. Win You win if your horse finishes first. Place You win if your horse finishes first or second. First Second or First First thing to do when you get to the track? Grab a program. The Official Daily Program contains vital information about each day s races - the horses, their predicted odds, the jockeys, and the race distances. It s all the stuff you need to know to make informed wagers. Daily programs are sold at stands inside each entrance. Show You win if your horse finishes first, second or third. Third or Second or First Across the Board You are betting win, place AND show. If your horse wins, you collect all three bets. If your horse comes in second, you collect the place and show bets. If third, you win the show bet. Odds Approx. Payoff Odds Approx. Payoff Odds Approx. Payoff 1-5 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $5.20 How Much Do I Win For A $2 Win Wager? 9-5 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $200.00

4 Tote Board The big flashing-number-covered board on the infield of the track is called the tote board. It tells you the current odds on each horse right up to post time; the amount wagered to win, place and show for each entry; the results of the last race with payoffs; the fractional and final race times; and the minutes to the next race. There is also an odds board in the paddock. Televisions The TV screens around the facility show you the current Win odds, as well as the probable Exacta and Daily Double payoffs for each horse right up to post time. Other important information about the race, such as how many minutes to post; track condition; the names of the horse, jockey, owner and trainer; and Daily Double, Pick 3 and Pick 4 will-pays are also shown during each race sequence. During the race, the TVs show the current running order and how fast the lead horse has run each 1/4 mile of the race (called fractional times or fractions ). At the end of the race, the TVs display the results and payoffs and final order of finish. Pan and head-on replays of the race are shown right after the Winner s Circle ceremony. Can t Make it to the Track? You can bet on Emerald Downs racing at one of the many off track betting locations (OTBs) in Washington. Or, wager online or over the phone with an official wagering partner. Visit emeralddowns.com for more information on wagering options away from Emerald Downs.

5 Exotic Bets Want to turn a little money into a lot? Try an exotic wager for a much higher payoff. Multi-Race Wagers Daily Double You win if you select the winners in two consecutive races before the first race of the sequence. $2 minimum bet. First First Pick 3 Leg 1 Leg 2 You win if you select the winners in three consecutive designated races before the first race in the sequence. $1 minimum bet. First First First Single-Race Wagers Exacta You win if you select, in order, the first and second place finishers in the same race. $1 minimum bet. Trifecta You win if you select, in order, the first, second and third place finishers in the same race. $1 minimum bet. Pick 4 Leg 1 Leg 2 Leg 3 You win if you select the winners in four consecutive designated races before the first race in the sequence. $0.50 minimum bet. First First First First Leg 1 Leg 2 Leg 3 Leg 4 Superfecta You win if you select, in order, the first, second, third and fourth place finishers in the same race. $1 minimum bet.

6 Wagering Options & Strategies Boxes A Box refers to all possible combinations of a certain number of horses. You may box as many horses as you would like. Each additional horse added to the Box multiplies the number of wagers. To figure the cost of your Box, check the chart below. Exacta (based on a $1 wager) 2-horse box = $2 3-horse box = $6 4-horse box = $12 5-horse box = $20 6-horse box = $30 7-horse box = $42 Trifecta 3-horse box = $6 4-horse box = $24 5-horse box = $60 6-horse box = $120 7-horse box = $210 Keys / Wheels Keying a horse in an exotic bet means placing only that horse in any position of the bet. You can then wheel other horses into the bet by placing them in the other positions. Example: Let s say you have four horses that you would like to include in a Trifecta, with horse #1 as your top pick. A four horse Trifecta Box would cost $24 (24 possible combinations). However, by keying the 1 horse to win and wheeling the 2,3 and 4 horses to place and show, the cost is only $6 (6 possible combinations). Ask the teller for a $1 Trifecta: 1 with 2,3,4 with 2,3,4 Superfecta 4-horse box = $24 5-horse box = $120 6-horse box = $360 7-horse box = $840

7 Meet the racing team The Horse Running Styles Recognizing the running styles of each participant in a given race is the starting point for many horseplayers. Running styles basically fall into three categories: pace, stalk and close. Pace horses have natural speed and are repeatedly at the front of the pack in the early parts of a race. Stalkers often have some early speed but are responsive to a jockey s urgings and are able to find a comfortable stride just behind the leaders. Closers generally take more time to get into their best stride and run fastest in the final portions of a race. Find a race with just one pace horse or a race with just one closer against many pace horses and you ve found a good scenario for a winner. Distances Short sprints to marathon distances, Thoroughbred races at Emerald Downs vary from two furlongs (quarter-mile) to two miles (16 furlongs). Break it down to the Bs to determine a horse s ability to run the various distances - Breeding, Body and Breathing. BREEDING is the passing on of genetic charcteristics of past generations that help predict future performance. Certain sires (fathers) are well known for producing quick young horses, year after year. While a horse may have champions as his or her parents, there are plenty of exceptions to size, shape and color when the finished product arrives. Each horse must deal with an individual BODY-type that can determine how far and fast he or she can run. Stocky, well-muscled horses are consistently better in sprints (like humans) than in races at a mile or longer. BREATHING and lung capacity are determing factors of success at various distances, too. They can keep a horse going at a high rate of speed. Genetics have a say in this area but so do training techniques and a horse s own ability to stay cool during the athletic competition of a race. No Giveaway No Giveaway put the term closer to the test in the 2005 Longacres Mile. He came from over 20 lengths back to post the biggest upset in Mile history. His powerful closing kick propelled him to the winner s circle at odds of Longacres Mile The biggest race at Emerald Downs is the Longacres Mile. As the name implies, the race covers one mile from start to finish, considered a middle distance for Thoroughbreds. It s too long for sprinters and not long enough for routers. That s what makes it so exciting.

8 Size Pedigree Who s your daddy? The lineage of a young horse is the number one topic among attendees at nationwide sales. Breed the best to the best and you re looking at a horse that ll cost $1 million or more before a race is ever run. Pedigree is the earliest predictor of success on the track. Sire and dam pass on general physical characteristics that produce size, strength, speed and stamina toward the finished product. While Kentucky reigns on top in breeding, each state with Thoroughbred racing has its own program. Many breeders (and horseplayers) have favorites among sires that they will continually favor, mostly due to past success. Secretariat and Seattle Slew s names are in print at tracks everday, living on through the production of their sons and daughters. The average Thoroughbred stands a little over 16 hands (1 hand = 4 inches) at the withers (shoulders) and weighs about 1,000 pounds. Of course, horses of all sizes have found success at the track. Two time Horse of the Year John Henry stood just a little over 15 hands, while the amazing mare Zenyatta stood over 17 hands. Different sexes and body types, but both earned millions of dollars on the track and had legions of fans. Benoit Photo Champion Zenyatta Age Thoroughbreds can begin racing at the age of two, although many do not start until they are older. Racing careers last for varying lengths, with some Thoroughbreds racing past their tenth birthday. Emerald Downs veteran West Seattle Boy won for the 18 th time in his career at the track in 2010 as an 11-year-old. Seattle Slew Seattle Slew is best remembered as racing s only undefeated Triple Crown winner. However, his career as a champion sire was just as legendary. Slew s offspring won over $78 million on the track and at one point his stud fee topped $300,000. Cost The cost to keep a Thoroughbred in training ranges from $20,000-$35,000 per year. The initial investment to buy a horse could be under $1,000 or much, much more. In February of 2006, a 2-year-old colt was purchased for $16 million at a sale in Florida. And, he had never even raced before!

9 Meet the racing team The Jockey Size Jockeys are often thought of as some of the best athletes in the world for good reason. They average about five feet tall and 110 pounds, but must control a 1,000 pound animal racing at up to 40 miles per hour while in close quarters. Beginning jockeys (apprentices) receive a weight allowance of up to ten pounds until they have won a designated number of races or have raced for a certain amount of time. Vicky Baze, the most successful female jockey in northwest history, weighs less than 100 pounds. Larry Pierce, holder of the Washington record of seven wins on one card, rode at nearly 120 pounds. Weights are assigned to each horse depending on the conditions of the race. If the program reads 118 ( pounds) for a specific horse, then the jockey designated to ride must carry no less than 118 pounds, including his weight and that of the saddle. If it s Vicky Baze, she must add lead weights to come up to the assignment. If it s Larry Pierce, he may ride at 120 if the trainer and owner are in agreement with the overweight. All overweights are announced frequently by the track announcer. Attributes Jockeys need the characteristics of a good athlete to move forward in their profession. Coordination, competitiveness, strength, balance and agility aid in the ability to race and control a Thoroughbred mount. Judgement is key as well. A jockey usually has to make a couple of decisions throughout the course of a race - go to the front or take back? Move to the inside or stay in the clear? Make an early move or wait until the stretch? Making the right decision comes in part from learning a horse s tendencies in morning training, actual races, trainer advice, video study and reading the past performances. Most importantly, good judgement comes from racing experience. Age The minimum age to ride professionally is 18. At age 16, aspiring jockeys typically apply for a license and then begin by exercising horses for trainers. Riding careers often span decades, as evidenced by local rider Gary Baze. Baze started riding as a 17-year-old apprentice in He is still riding and winning in 2011.

10 Success Rates / Win % Mathematically speaking, a jockey s probability of winning is subject to the number of horses in the race. All things being equal, a jockey in an eight horse race has a 12.5% chance of victory (1/8). Of course, all things are not equal. One of the many factors that bettors need to consider is the skill of the jockey. Check the program for up-to-date jockey standings for a starting point. Look for win percentages of 15% or greater for the better riders and 20% or greater for the top local jockeys. But remember, it s only a piece of the puzzle. What they make Jockeys earn 10% of the horse owner s share of a purse. In a $100,000 race, that s $55,000 to the winner, and therefore $5,500 to the jockey. Jockeys also receive a minimum of $55 for the mount, regardless of where the horse finishes. It all works out to between $20,000 at a lower level circuit to well over $1 million at a major circuit. Russell Baze In December 2006, Russell Baze became racing s all-time winningest rider. The Northwest native has won three Longacres Miles, was a 1999 inductee to the National Racing Hall of Fame and is a member of the Washington Thoroughbred Hall of Fame you can visit on the Emerald Downs main floor.

11 Meet the racing team The Trainer The trainer is the head coach in Thoroughbred racing. They prepare the athlete for competition and try to select the right game to play in. They must sell themselves to owners (clients) and be somewhat of a horse whisperer, while running a business that operates seven days per week. Background Emerald Downs provides free housing for grooms during the season so sleeping is done within earshot of their charges. Trainers schedule veterinarians, horseshoers and exercise riders and also order feed and supplies to keep the barn stocked and and ready for any circumstance. Rider Changes Jockeys want to ride the best horses while owners and trainers want their horses ridden by the best jockeys. It all gets sorted out by the jockey s agent. It s their job to deal with the horse s management team to make the pairings. The pairings are constantly changing, so horses do not always have the same rider. These rider changes can provide valuable insight to the potential outcome of a race. Did the horse switch from a low percentage jockey to a high percentage jockey? What happens when a jockey has regularly been riding two or more of the horses in a race? Usually, they will pick the horse they feel has the best chance to win. An exception is if the jockey is fulfilling an obligation to a particular stable. Also, keep an eye out for specific jockey/trainer combinations. Jockeys often make deals to have first call for a stable, meaning they will ride the stable s best horses. Jockey Jennifer Whitaker rides first call for trainer Howard Belvoir, resulting in the all-time winningest jockey/trainer combination in track history. Most trainers come up via the conventional ranks, working as a stable groom and then assistant trainer before ascending to the top job. Each locale has extended families that have many generations of experience working with horses. Some, too, have worked in other areas of the game, such as turf writer, breeder or jockey. A common vein is love of the horse and the optimism the sport creates. Care In the sports of football, basketball and baseball, outscore the other team and you ve won. In a horse race, there are seven, eight, ten or more opponents! Optimum health is paramount for a horse to accomplish the goal of victory. The trainer is the person in charge but receives expert help from the support staff. Each horse has a groom who feeds, bathes and cleans the stall seven days per week. Grooms put in long hours, frequently doing prep-work by 5:00 am and sometimes up until late at night after an evening of racing.

12 Call for Stable Tours! Would you like to get a behind-the-scenes look at the seasonal home for the equine athletes? Free tours of the Emerald Downs Stable area are available by reservation during the Live Racing Season. For information, call Training Regimen A horse must be physically fit to perform at peak level and fitness is the trainer s responsibility. For a horse who s had three months of rest over the winter, it ll take about three months to get back to racing condition. Things start slowly with walks and easy gallops, then move on to speed workouts that increase in distance. The trainer observes daily training, watching for cues from the horse and also gets feedback from instructions given to the exercise rider. Statistics show some trainers win frequently off layoffs while others tend to race their horses into shape. Stable Size The size of a trainer s stable is simply the raw number of horses in one s care. Stable size varies from one or two, to the track maximum of 40. Since each horse has potential profit, trainers rarely turn down new opportunities. Why doesn t every owner employ the same two or three most successful trainers? Friendships, owner-input and personal attention are a few of the numerous reasons why there are scores of working trainers at every track. Some train as a hobby or second job, but most make a serious commitment of long hours, seven days a week.

13 Five Simple Angles Step 1: Who s the jockey? Who s the trainer? The human connections for each horse play a huge role in the chances for the horse to succeed. The race program gives key statistics on the top jockeys and trainers. A rider or trainer who wins 10% of the time isn t bad, but wouldn t you rather back a 25% winner with your money? Step 4: Check out the horses Before each race, the horses will be on display first in the saddling paddock and then during post parade on the track. Watch for horses that look alert and confident. Is he standing tall with a spring in his step? A big performance might be on the way. Excessive sweating is usually an indicator of nervousness. These horses are described as being washed out and might have already expended too much energy to put in a top effort. Remember: Looks count! Step 2: What has this horse done in the past? Each horse s lifetime and current year racing record is available in the race program. It will show you how many times he s raced and the number of times he s run first, second and third. Found a horse with a couple of wins and a dozen runner-up finishes? Might be a good place bet. Step 3: How did he do his last race? You can check out his last race by looking at the top line in the horse s past performance record. The final number shows the finish position and the number of lengths he won or lost by. Did your horse win last time? If so, he s probably a logical bet to win again, although the payoff most likely won t be as good because many other people will think so too. Step 5: Listen to the pros There are plenty of resources at the track to help give you some added insight to the races. Listen to the announcers on Handicapper s Corner before racing and throughout the day. They are there to help give you the information you need to make a good bet. You can also find picks and race analysis in the Daily Racing Form or in a Tip Sheet. Ask Customer Service for these helpful tools.