trifectas

Noun

trifecta (plural trifectas)

1. (Australia, New Zealand, US) A bet in which the bettor must select the first three placegetters of a race in the order in which they finish.
   • The conservative player will play the exacta box bet and the occasional trifecta box wager.2006, Vincent Conti, Thoroughbred Horse Racing Systems and Methodologies, page 9
2. (Australia, New Zealand, US, figuratively) The attainment of three important achievements, qualities, etc.
   • The money picture for Santorum could change after his trifecta win in Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri Tuesday night.2012 February 8, Jackie Koszczuk, “Santorum Is Still Losing the Most Important Race: Money”, in The Atlantic
3. (Australia, New Zealand, US, broadly) A set of three related things, often things that cause problems.
   • a trifecta of political losers
4. (Australia, New Zealand, US) The complete legislative and executive control of state or federal government by one party: governorship, the upper house, and the lower house of state or federal legislatures.
   • In fact, there are about a dozen states, including California, Massachusetts, Washington, and Illinois, where Democrats have won the trifecta—they control the governor's seat as well as both houses of the state legislature.2013 June 26, Steven Hill, “So the Voting Rights Act Is Gutted—What Can Protect Minority Voters Now?”, in The Atlantic