Stumped by a Racetrack Bet? Discover the Unexpected Answer!

As a detective solving the mystery of the crossword clue ‘Certain racetrack bet’, I first examined the phrase carefully, dissecting each word for clues. ‘Racetrack bet’ immediately led me to believe that the answer would be a specific type of wager placed at horse racing events. To confirm this, I focused on the word ‘certain.’ This adjective suggested that the answer must be a bet with a distinct characteristic, setting it apart from other types of wagers. After considering the possibilities, one word surfaced in my mind: ‘EXACTA.’ This type of bet requires the punter to predict the first and second-place finishers in a particular race, in the exact order they cross the finish line. The word ‘EXACTA’ fit perfectly with the crossword clue since it is indeed a ‘certain racetrack bet’ known for the demanding requirement of predicting both the order and specific placement of the top two horses. This painstaking process of deduction and understanding led me confidently to the answer ‘EXACTA’ in this captivating mystery of the crossword clue.