Coupled entries in horse racing, also known as coupled runners, are common in non-stakes races. You’ll typically see coupled entries in midweek races at major US tracks, like Laurel Park or Aqueduct. Below, we’ll explain what coupled entries are and how to bet them. We’ll also discuss some finer points about coupled runners that every aspiring horse handicapper should know.
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Table of Contents
Coupled Entries
A coupled entry is two or more horses that represent a common betting interest. For example, horses with program numbers 1 and 1A are coupled entries. Similarly, horses with program numbers 2 and 2B, and 3 and 3C, would also be coupled entries or coupled runners.
Why Coupled
Horses will be coupled when they have the same ownership, management, or trainer in a non-stakes race. The horses will run separately when they’re entered in a stakes race, particularly if the purse is $1 million or higher. Whether or not horses will be coupled in stakes races with smaller purses is at the discretion of the respective track. In all cases, tracks must take action to keep the public informed about common ownership or trainers among race entries.
How a Coupled Bet Wins
A bet on a coupled entry wins if either horse finishes in the money. For example, a bet on 1A to win Race 3 pays if 1 or 1A wins the race. Similarly, a bet on horse 2B to place in Race 7 pays if horse 2 or 2B finishes second or first. Betting on a coupled entry, or coupled runner, is basically a two for one deal.
Note that the odds for coupled entries are much lower than single-horse entries. When two horses race as one, it’s more likely a wager will win. Therefore the prospective payout for a coupled entry will be much smaller in comparison to the rest of the field, with the exception of a heavy favorite.
Coupled Entries Numbering System
Coupled entries at United States tracks follow the same numbering system. The first coupled entry is numbered 1 and 1A. The number and letter increase in alphanumeric order for each additional coupled entry. Most races only have 1 coupled entry. Occasionally, you may see 2 coupled runners. More than 3 coupled entries would be extremely rare at most US race tracks.
The following table lists example coupled entry program numbers.
| Program Number |
|---|
| 1 1A |
| 2 2B |
| 3 3C |
| 4 4D |
| 5 5E |
| 6 6F |
| 7 7G |
| 8 8H |
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State Regulations
The finer details of when tracks should couple entries varies from state to state. Each state horse racing commission has its own guidelines and policies regarding less obvious decisions regarding whether or not to couple horses as a common betting interest.
Maryland
Maryland’s horse racing regulations for coupled entries comes down the percentage of each horse owned by the same person. When the same owner has 25 percent of 2 horses in the same race, the horses must be entered as a coupled runners. The exception to this rule is any stakes race.
11) Coupled Horses.
§F(11)
(a) In §F(11) of this regulation, “commonality of ownership” means that the same person, persons, entity, or entities own at least 25 percent of a horse entered in a race and also own at least 25 percent of another horse entered in the same race.
(b) Except in stakes races, horses shall be coupled for betting purposes if: (i) The horses have commonality of ownership.
(c) If a race is split into two or more divisions, horses required to be coupled under §F(11) (b) of this regulation shall be seeded in separate divisions, if possible, but the divisions in which they compete and the post positions shall be determined by lot.
New York
The New York Gaming Commission updated its rules on coupled entries on July 6, 2015. The commission approved two rule changes.
One, the commission decreased the purse threshold for decoupling horses in stakes races from $1 million to $50,000. Decoupling makes it possible for each horse to run as a single entry.
Two, in races with two or more horses that would normally be coupled, tracks must take steps to inform the public about the common ownership or trainers.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s horse racing regulations follow the general guidance on coupled entries. Like New York, Pennsylvania requires the track to publish horses trained by the same person in the race program. Additionally, the track judge may decide whether or not to disqualify the entire coupled entry should one horse commit a foul during the race.
“When the Starters in a race include two or more horses owned or trained by the same person or trained in the same stable or by the same management, the starts shall be ‘‘coupled’’ as a single entry and a wager on one horse in the ‘‘entry’’ shall be a wager on all horses in the ‘‘coupled entry’’ unless approval has been granted by the Commission to race as separate entries under bona fide ownerships. The fact that those horses are trained by the same person shall be indicated prominently in the program.”
§ 205.325. Coupled entries.
How to Bet on Coupled Entries
Time needed: 2 minutes
How to bet on coupled entries
- Create a new horse betting account or login to your existing account
Create a new player account at one of our recommended horse betting sites or login to your existing account.
- Choose a race track and upcoming race
Review the horse betting site’s list of horse tracks and upcoming races. Morning line odds are typically available about 3-5 hours before wagering begins.
- Identify a coupled entry and select one of the horses for a wager
Look for one or more coupled entries in the race, typically having program numbers 1 and 1A, 2 and 2B, 3 and 3C etc. Select one of the coupled horses for a wager.
- Your wager wins if one of the coupled horses finishes in the money.
One of the coupled horses must finish in the money for your wager to win. If you bet a coupled entry to win, either one of the horses must win the race. If you bet a coupled entry to place, either one of the horses must finish second or first.
Example Coupled Entry Bet
The following table contains entries and ML odds for an example race with coupled entry 1 and 1A. We’ll explain how betting on horse 1A to win works.
| P# | ML Odds |
|---|---|
| 2 Bradford | 6/5 |
| 1 Jasper | 2/1 |
| 1A Jimmy | 2/1 |
| 7 Rocket Socks | 3/1 |
| 5 Forked | 4/1 |
| 3 Clever Carl | 9/1 |
| 6 Super Party | 10/1 |
Horses #1 Jasper and #1A Jimmy are coupled entries for this race. Since 1 and 1A represent a common betting interest, they both have the same 2/1 odds to win the race.
Suppose you bet on horse #1 Jasper to win the race. Your bet will be successful if either #1 Jasper or #1A Jimmy wins the race. For example, suppose Jasper fades on the backstretch, overtaken by #1A Jimmy and #7 Rocket Socks. Don’t worry, you’re not done yet. #1A Jimmy speeds ahead on the homestretch, closing on #7 Rocket Socks for the win.
Your bet on #1 Jasper to win pays out because #1A Jimmy won the race. Think of betting on a coupled entry as an “either-or” proposition. If either 1 or 1A wins the race, your win bet pays out. If either 2 or 2B places, your place bet pays out.
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Most Famous Coupled Entry
The most famous coupled entry in history was Secretariat with Angle Light in the 1973 Kentucky Derby on May 5, 1973. Angle Light wore number 1 and Secretariat wore 1A. Track officials coupled the horses because Lucien Laurin trained them both.
Secretariat with jockey Ron Turcotte won the race in a record 1:59.40 ahead of second place finisher Sham. Angle Light ended up finishing tenth, despite a commanding win at the 1973 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct just weeks before the derby on April 21, 1973.
FAQs
A coupled entry is two or more horses that represent a common betting interest. For example, horses with program numbers 1 and 1A are coupled entries. Similarly, horses with program numbers 2 and 2B, and 3 and 3C, would also be coupled entries or coupled runners.
A coupled entry is also called a coupled runner. Track programs and officials may use the terms interchangeably.
Track officials will couple horses when they have the same ownership, management, or trainer in a non-stakes race, subject to state horse racing regulations.
Horses with the same ownership, management, or trainer will run separately when they’re entered in a stakes race, particularly if the purse is $1 million or higher. The threshold purse amount varies from state to state. For example, horses will run separately in New York stakes races when the purse is $50,000 or higher.
Horses numbered 1 and 1A are a coupled entry. Track officials coupled them because they have the same ownership, management, or trainer, subject to state horse racing regulations.
The most famous coupled entry in history was Secretariat with Angle Light in the 1973 Kentucky Derby on May 5, 1973. Angle Light wore number 1 and Secretariat wore 1A. Track officials coupled the horses because Lucien Laurin trained them both.
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