Trotting Betting
Trotting tests the horse's speed, stamina (how long it can go for) and tactical precision (how well it can follow the rules of the race). It is a harness race where the horse must walk to the left and canter (run at a faster pace) to the right. When you bet on trotting, it's important to consider the horse's bloodline, the driver's strategy, and how important the horse's position at the end of the race and the speed of the race is. It's a sport where tiny margins can make or break a race. If a horse gets "on the bit" too early or if a move from the pocket is perfectly timed, it can decide the outcome. From the well-known Elitloppet in Sweden to nightly meetings across Europe and North America, it offers a wide range of betting options.
How to Bet on Trotting at VivatBet
Log into your VivatBet account and you'll see events from major tracks like Solvalla in Sweden, Vincennes in France, and The Meadowlands in the USA. Choose your race and you'll see all the markets that are available, from simple win/place to exactas, trifectas and daily doubles. Click on your choices, enter how much you want to bet, and then confirm your bet. Many meetings also involve a set structure and use heat as an underlying principle. This means there are opportunities for multi-race wagers and future betting on major races.
Trotting Offers and Promotions at VivatBet
Start your bet in the best way from the beginning. Find better odds on popular events like the Elitloppet or Hambletonian, the best odds guaranteed on selected meetings, or a welcome bonus to use across the trotting calendar. These offers are really valuable in a sport where the most popular teams often win. Always read the full terms and conditions for each promotion.
Key Terms to Know:
Post Position: The horse's starting stall number. Inside positions (1-3) are generally advantageous;
The Pocket Trip: A horse racing closely behind the leader;
First Over: The horse challenging the leader from the outside;
Breaking Stride (Making a Break): When a horse loses its correct gait and gallops, resulting in disqualification.
Driver: The athlete steering the sulky (cart). Their skill in positioning and timing is paramount.
Pros & Cons of Trotting Betting
Advantages
Strong favourite performance: Controlled pace and post position make it more likely that well-handled favourites will win.
Extensive data: Past performance data is available for detailed analysis.
Exotic value: Multi-horse bets like exactas and trifectas can be rewarding.
Global calendar: Major races in Europe, North America and Australasia ensure action all year.
Disadvantages
Impact of interference: If a horse breaks stride, it can cause chaos and ruin the chances of others.
Driver-dependent: A bad tactical decision by the driver can defeat the best horse.
Special knowledge: Understanding bloodlines, track biases and driver tactics is key to success.
Betting Markets for Trotting
Win: Betting on the horse to finish first.
Place: Betting on the horse to finish first or second.
Show: Betting on the horse to finish in the top three.
Exacta: Predicting the first and second-place finishers in the correct order.
Trifecta: Predicting the first, second, and third-place finishers in the correct order.
Daily Double / Pick X: Winning bets on multiple consecutive races.
Outright / Future: Betting on the winner of a major upcoming race weeks or months in advance.
Top Competitions in Trotting
Elitloppet (Sweden): The world's most prestigious harness race for older trotters, held at Solvalla.
Hambletonian (USA): The premier race for three-year-old trotters, part of the US Triple Crown of Harness Racing.
Prix d'Amérique (France): The richest and most famous race at the Vincennes track in Paris.
Breeders Crown Series (USA/Canada): A championship series of races for different age and gait divisions.
Oslo Grand Prix (Norway): A major international race at Bjerke Travbane.
How do trotting odds work?
In many places, the odds of a horse winning are decided by the total amount of money bet on each horse put together. This is called pari-mutuel betting. The odds are decided at the start of the race. However, fixed-odds betting is also widely available. The odds are mostly based on the horse's position at the start, how it has done recently, the driver's reputation, and the horse's natural tendency to pause during the race. A top horse that is drawn in post 1 will have very short odds. The odds for more unusual bets, like trifectas, are worked out using the numbers from each group. These can lead to some pretty big payouts when there are a lot of people taking part.
Betting tips for trotting
Post Position is Paramount: The inside posts (1-3) have a huge statistical advantage, especially on one-mile tracks. Always factor this in heavily.
Analyse the Driver: The driver's skill is crucial. Study driver win percentages and their history with specific horses.
Watch for "Horses for Courses": Some horses perform dramatically better on certain track sizes (e.g., half-mile vs. mile tracks) or surfaces.
Beware of the "Break" Risk: Always check a horse's past performance lines for "B" (break) notations. A horse prone to breaking is a major risk.
Study the Pace: Predict how the race will be run. A race with several "front-end" horses may set a fast pace, favouring closers.
Betting types
Straight Bets (Win, Place, Show): Wagers on a single horse to finish in a top position.
Exotic / Combination Bets: Wagers involving multiple horses finishing in specific orders (Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta).
Multi-Race Bets: Wagers linking selections across several races (Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4).
Future Betting: Placing a wager on a major race well in advance of the event.
Safe Gambling
Treat betting as entertainment, not a way to earn money. Set and stick to a budget, use deposit and loss limits, and don't bet more than you can afford. If you feel addicted, use our tools to take a break or seek help.
Popular events and sports news
Trotting Betting FAQ
What is trotting?
Trotting, also called harness racing, is a horse race where the horse pulls a driver in a two-wheeled cart called a sulky. The horse must trot or pace without breaking into a gallop.
What are the main types of trotting bets?
The most common bets are Win (your horse finishes 1st), Place (your horse finishes 1st or 2nd, sometimes 3rd), and Each-Way (a combined Win and Place bet). You can also bet on Forecasts (picking the 1st and 2nd in correct order) and combine horses in Doubles or Trebles.
What is the difference between a trotter and a pacer?
A trotter moves its legs in diagonal pairs (left front with right hind). A pacer moves its legs in lateral pairs (left front with left hind). This is important as some bettors look at a horse's preferred gait, especially on different track surfaces.
What do DT and DR mean on the form?
The abbreviation 'DT' usually stands for 'Distance Winner', meaning the horse has won a race over this distance before. If a horse's name ends with 'DR', it probably means they did well in a race recently.
What is an each-way bet in trotting?
This is where you can place two bets at once: one to win and one to place. If your horse wins, you win both parts. If it only places (usually top 2 or 3), you win the Place part. It costs twice as much, but you're more likely to get your money back if your horse does well.
What are the most important things to look for in a trotting horse?
Look for a horse that has done well recently (in the top 3), is in a good position at the start, and has a good driver. Horses that have won at the track or distance before are also often a good sign.
Can a horse be disqualified from trotting?
Yes. A horse can be disqualified if it starts to gallop and gains an advantage, or if it stops running and gets in the way of another horse. If your horse is disqualified, you lose your bet.
What happens if I bet on a horse that can't run?
If your horse doesn't start the race, you'll get your money back. When you place a bet on more than one horse (like a Forecast), the bet is recalculated without that horse.