One of the advantages of betting on horse racing in Las Vegas casinos is the opportunity to play head-to-head matchups and other creative propositions that are frequently offered in the books.

This method allows gamblers to avoid the huge “takeouts” — essentially, a house advantage in favor of the track — that come with traditional horse racing wagers.

Playing a head-to-head horse matchup, or something like a prop on whether the winner will be wearing an odd or even number, carries a house edge of about 4.5 percent if a standard 20-cent line is in place. That compares quite favorable to the takeout on regular horse bets, which can approach or exceed 20 percent (yikes).

Props on the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic set for Nov. 3 at Santa Anita have begun to appear in Las Vegas.

One wagering opportunity available at all Caesars Entertainment properties asks whether the saddlecloth number of the Breeders’ Cup Classic winner will be numbers 1 through 6, or numbers 7 and higher.

Numbers 7 and higher was installed as a -125 favorite, with numbers 1 through 6 listed at -105.

The obvious reason for the discrepancy is that you’re likely to get a few extra horses working for you by taking the numbers 7 and higher side.

It’s noteworthy that seven of the past 10 winners overall have fallen into the 1 through 6 category. In the three previous Classics that took place on dirt at Santa Anita (the 2008 and 2009 races took place on a synthetic surface), two winners fell into the 1 through 6 range. This year’s race is back on dirt.

Conclusion: It’s a play on saddlecloth numbers 1 through 6 or pass, though I’d prefer betting into a 20-cent line rather than the 30-cent straddle being used here.