Superfecta Calculator: Horse Racing Top 4 Finishers (2026)
Superfecta Calculator: Chase Horse Racing's Biggest Payouts
The superfecta is horse racing's most challenging exotic bet—pick the first four finishers in exact order. The difficulty creates massive payouts, sometimes exceeding $100,000. Our free calculator shows you bet costs, combinations, and strategies to tackle this rewarding wager.
What Is a Superfecta Bet?
A superfecta requires selecting horses to finish first, second, third, and fourth in exact order. It's the hardest standard exotic bet but offers the biggest potential returns.
Quick Answer: A superfecta straight bet picks 1st through 4th in exact order. A 4-horse box covers all 24 permutations, costing $24 for a $1 base. A 5-horse box costs $120 ($1 base), and a 6-horse box costs $360. Superfectas at major races routinely pay five figures.
How to Use Our Free Superfecta Calculator
Use the Superfecta Calculator →
Enter your selections to see total cost and all covered combinations.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Select Bet Type: Straight, box, or part-wheel
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Choose Your Horses: Pick the horses for your superfecta
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Enter Base Bet: $0.10 or $0.20 minimum at most tracks
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View Results: See total cost and combinations covered
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bet Type | Straight, Box, Part Wheel | Box |
| Horses Selected | Your picks by number | 2, 4, 6, 8 |
| Base Amount | Wager per combination | $0.10 |
Superfecta Bet Types
Straight Superfecta
Pick exactly which horses finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in that exact order.
Cost: 1 combination × base bet
Example: $1 straight 2-4-6-8 costs $1. Only wins if #2 wins, #4 places, #6 shows, and #8 is fourth—exact order required.
Superfecta Box
Cover all possible orderings of your selected horses.
Formula: n! / (n-4)! where n = horses selected
| Horses | Combinations | Cost ($0.10 base) | Cost ($1 base) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 24 | $2.40 | $24 |
| 5 | 120 | $12 | $120 |
| 6 | 360 | $36 | $360 |
| 7 | 840 | $84 | $840 |
| 8 | 1,680 | $168 | $1,680 |
Example: $0.10 box on 2-4-6-8 costs $2.40 and covers all 24 orderings.
Superfecta Key
One horse in a fixed position, others fill remaining spots.
Key to Win Example: $0.10 superfecta key 2 to win with 4, 6, 8, 10
- Horse 2 must win
- Others can finish 2nd, 3rd, 4th in any order
- Combinations: 1 × 4 × 3 × 2 = 24 combinations
- Cost: 24 × $0.10 = $2.40
Superfecta Part Wheel
Specify different horses for different positions.
Example: $0.10 superfecta 2 / 4,6 / 4,6,8 / ALL
- Position 1: Horse 2 only
- Position 2: Horse 4 or 6
- Position 3: Horse 4, 6, or 8 (excluding those used in 1st/2nd)
- Position 4: Any remaining horse
This creates fewer combinations than a full box while still covering likely scenarios.
Superfecta Combination Formulas
Box Calculation
Combinations = n × (n-1) × (n-2) × (n-3)
Where n = number of horses boxed
| Horses Boxed | Calculation | Combinations |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 | 24 |
| 5 | 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 | 120 |
| 6 | 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 | 360 |
| 7 | 7 × 6 × 5 × 4 | 840 |
Part Wheel Calculation
Combinations = (1st choices) × (2nd choices) × (3rd choices) × (4th choices)
Subtract impossible combinations where the same horse appears in multiple positions.
Real-World Superfecta Examples
Example 1: Budget 4-Horse Box
Race Analysis: You've identified four horses likely to fill the top spots.
Bet: $0.10 superfecta box 2-5-7-9 Cost: 24 combinations × $0.10 = $2.40 Coverage: All orderings of these four horses
Typical Payout: $200-$2,000 depending on odds
Example 2: Aggressive 6-Horse Box
Race Analysis: Competitive field with six realistic contenders.
Bet: $0.10 superfecta box 1-3-4-6-8-10 Cost: 360 combinations × $0.10 = $36 Upside: Wide coverage for a chaotic race Downside: Higher investment, need solid payout to profit
Example 3: Key Horse Strategy
Race Analysis: Heavy favorite (#3) should win; 2nd through 4th is uncertain.
Bet: $0.10 superfecta key 3 to win with 1, 5, 7, 9, 11 Combinations: 1 × 5 × 4 × 3 = 60 combinations Cost: 60 × $0.10 = $6 Advantage: Much cheaper than 6-horse box ($36) with focused coverage
Example 4: Part Wheel Structure
Race Analysis: Strong opinions on win/place, less certain about 3rd/4th.
Bet: $0.10 superfecta 3 / 5,7 / 1,5,7,9 / 1,5,7,9,11
- Horse 3 must win
- Horse 5 or 7 second
- Remaining horses for 3rd and 4th
Cost Calculation: Varies by overlap—use calculator for exact count
Superfecta Payout Dynamics
Why Superfectas Pay Big
| Factor | Impact on Payout |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 24+ combinations to beat straight |
| Pool size | Large pools on big races |
| Longshot inclusion | One 20-1 horse in top 4 explodes payout |
| Chalk sweep | Lower payout but still substantial |
Typical Payout Ranges
| Finish Type | Payout Range ($0.10 base) |
|---|---|
| All favorites (1-5 to 1) | $20-$100 |
| Mixed (favorites + mid-odds) | $100-$1,000 |
| Include one longshot | $500-$5,000 |
| Multiple longshots | $2,000-$50,000+ |
| Bomb (all longshots) | $50,000-$500,000+ |
Famous Superfecta Payouts
- 2005 Kentucky Derby: $864,253.50 (50-cent bet)
- 2012 Kentucky Derby: $101,284.60 ($1 bet)
- Major races regularly produce five-figure superfectas
Superfecta Strategy Tips
When to Box
- Competitive fields: No clear separation among top horses
- Budget available: Boxes get expensive quickly
- Smaller fields: Fewer horses = manageable combinations
When to Key
- Dominant favorite: High confidence in winner
- Cost control: Keys reduce combinations dramatically
- Focus coverage: Concentrate where you have opinion
When to Part Wheel
- Layered opinions: Different confidence levels by position
- Complex reads: You like certain horses for specific positions
- Cost optimization: Balance coverage and investment
Cost Management Strategies
Using $0.10 Base Bets
Most tracks allow $0.10 or $0.20 minimum superfecta bets. This makes coverage affordable:
| Box Size | $0.10 Cost | $0.20 Cost | $1 Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 horses | $2.40 | $4.80 | $24 |
| 5 horses | $12 | $24 | $120 |
| 6 horses | $36 | $72 | $360 |
Strategy: Use smaller bases to afford more coverage.
Budget Breakpoints
| Budget | Recommended Strategy |
|---|---|
| $5-10 | 4-horse box or tight key |
| $10-25 | 5-horse box or expanded key |
| $25-50 | 6-horse box or part wheels |
| $50+ | 7+ horse box or complex wheels |
Common Superfecta Mistakes
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Excluding Favorites: Favorites hit the board more than expected. Boxing without them is high-risk.
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Over-Boxing: A 7-horse box costs $84 at $0.10. Unless the superfecta pays $500+, ROI suffers.
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Chasing Yesterday's Payout: Today's superfecta won't replicate last week's $50,000 bomb.
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Ignoring Pool Size: Small pools = volatile payouts. Big races are more predictable.
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No Cost Calculation: Always know your total before betting. Superfectas add up fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum superfecta bet?
Most tracks allow $0.10 per combination. A 4-horse box at $0.10 costs $2.40.
How is the superfecta payout calculated?
Payouts come from the superfecta pool after track take (~20-25%). The winning combination splits the remaining pool among all winning tickets.
What if there's a dead heat?
Dead heats create multiple paying combinations. If horses dead heat for 3rd, both possible superfectas pay at reduced amounts.
Should I box or key?
Key when you have high confidence in one position (usually the winner). Box when you're uncertain about order among your selections.
Is superfecta harder than trifecta?
Yes. Trifecta requires 3 of 3 correct; superfecta requires 4 of 4. The extra position multiplies difficulty significantly.
Can I include all horses in one position?
Yes, using "ALL" in a wheel. This covers every horse in that position while restricting others.
Superfecta Cost Quick Reference
| Box Size | $0.10 Base | $0.20 Base | $0.50 Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 horses | $2.40 | $4.80 | $12 |
| 5 horses | $12 | $24 | $60 |
| 6 horses | $36 | $72 | $180 |
| 7 horses | $84 | $168 | $420 |
| 8 horses | $168 | $336 | $840 |
Pro Tips for Superfecta Betting
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Start Small: Learn with 4-horse boxes before expanding
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Big Race Focus: Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Breeders' Cup have large pools and mega payouts
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Use Keys Wisely: Keying the obvious favorite saves money while maintaining coverage
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Consider Carryovers: Jackpot carryovers can make superfectas more appealing
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Track Your Results: Note which structures (box vs. key vs. wheel) work best for you
Related Horse Racing Calculators
- Trifecta Calculator - Top three finishers
- Exacta Calculator - First two finishers
- Quinella Calculator - Top two any order
- Pick 4 Calculator - Four-race challenge
- Box Bet Calculator - General box calculations
Conclusion
The superfecta is horse racing's ultimate exotic bet—difficult but potentially life-changing. Our free calculator shows exactly what your bets cost and which combinations they cover, helping you approach this challenging wager strategically.
Calculate Your Superfecta Bet Now →
With proper cost management and realistic expectations, superfectas can add excitement and potential big scores to your horse racing experience. Run the numbers, build smart tickets, and you'll be ready for that once-in-a-lifetime payout.
