Racing Terms, compliments of the irrepressible, always-thinking, Justine Blair Carroll
June 3 , 2007
If you are new to Horse Racing, here are some frequently used terms and
explanations you may find helpful.
A
ACROSS THE BOARD: A bet on a horse to win, place (2nd) and show (3rd)
ALLOWANCE RACE: A race other than claiming* for which the Racing Secretary
drafts certain conditions to determine weights. (a fixed scale to be carried by
horses according to age, sex, race distance and time of year.
APPRENTICE: A Jockey who has not ridden a certain number of winners within a
specified period of time. Also known as a Bug Boy.
B
BACKSTRETCH: The straight far side area of the track between the turns.
Also, the Stable area.
BAR SHOE: A horse with a rear bar on it’s shoe to protect an injured foot.
BLANKET FINISH: Horses finishing so closely together the could be covered by
a blanket
BLINKERS: A head device to limit a horse’s vision.
BOARD: The Totalisator Board on the track where fans can read the odds,
betting pools and other information regarding the race.
BOBBLE: A bad step made by a horse
BOLT: A horses sudden veering from a straight course
BREAK MAIDEN: A horse or rider winning first race of his/her career
BREEDER: Owner of Dam at time foal is born (dropped)
BREEZE: In training, working a horse at a moderate speed
BROODMARE: Female Thoroughbred used for breeding
C
CHECKED: A horse pulled up by his Jockey
CHUTE: An extension of the backstretch straightaway or homestretch
CLAIMING: Buying a horse out of a race for a predetermined entered price
CLAIMING RACE: A race in which horses are entered subject to be claimed
or purchased by an outside party
CLASSIC: A race of traditional importance
CLOCKER: One who times workouts and races
CLOSER: A horse’s running style. One who runs best in the latter part of
the race by staying behind and then comes in from off the pace
CLUBHOUSE TURN: Generally, the track turn closest to the Clubhouse
COLT: A male horse under 5 years of age
CONDITION BOOK: A book issued by the Racing Secretary which sets the
conditions of races to be run.
CONDITION RACE: An event with conditions limiting it to a certain class of
horse such as Fillies, 3 year olds, non-winners of two races other than Maiden
or Claiming etc.
CONTRACT RIDER: A Jockey under contract to a Stable
COUPLED: Two or more horses running as an entry in a single betting unit
CUSHION: Surface of track or layer of the track
D
DAILY DOUBLE: A type of wager calling for the selection of winners of two
consecutive races, usually the first and second of the day
DEAD-HEAT: When two or more horses finish in an exact tie at the wire
DEAD TRACK: Racing surface lacking resiliency
DISQUALIFICATION: Change of order of finish by officials for an infraction
of the rules
DISTAFF (RACE): Female. A race for Fillies, Mares or both
DISTANCED: A horse well beaten in a race, finishing a great distance behind
the winner
DQ: Disqualified
DRIVING: Strong urging of a horse by it’s Rider or Jockey
DROPDOWN: A horse facing a lower class of rivals than he/she had previously
been running against
E
EASED: Chart caller’s assessment of a horse that is being deliberately
slowed by a Jockey to prevent injury or harm to the horse
EIGHTH: A furlong; 220 yards, 660 feet, 1/8 of a mile
ENTRY: Two or more horses owned by the same stable, or in some cases,
trained by the same Trainer and thus running as a single betting unit
EQUIVALENT ODDS: Mutual price horses pay for each $1 bet
EXACTA (or PERFECTA): A wager in which the first two finishers in a race, in
exact order of finish, must be picked
EXERCISE RIDER: Male or female Rider aboard a horse for morning workouts
EXTENDED: A horse forced to run at top speed
F
FALTERED: A term used for a horse that was in contention early and drops back
in the late stages. It is more drastic than “weakened” but less drastic
than “stopped”
FAST TRACK: Footing at it’s best. Dry, fast and even conditions
FIELD: The horses in a Race
FILLY: A female horse up to and including the age of 4 years
FIRM: A Turf Course condition corresponding to “fast” on a dirt track
FLATTEN OUT: When a horse drops his/her head almost on a straight line with
it’s body. May indicate exhaustion.
FOAL: Newly born Thoroughbred, or until weaned from Mother (Dam).
FOUR FULONGS: Half a mile; 880 yards; 2, 640 feet
FRACTIONAL TIME: Intermediate time recorded in a race as at the quarter,
half, three quarters, etc.
FRESH: A rested horse
FRONT RUNNER: A horse who usually leads (or tries to lead) the field
FURLONG: 1/8 of a mile, 220 yards, 660 feet
G
GAIT: The ways in which a horse can move (walk,trot,canter, gallop, etc)
GALLOP: A type of gait, a fast canter. Also, to ride a horse at that gait
GATE: A non stationary starting mechanism that moves according to each races
distance
GELDING: An incomplete male horse and unable to reproduce
H
HALF: Half a mile; four furlongs; 880 yards; 2,640 feet
HAND: Four inches. Unit used in measuring height of a horse from the
withers to the ground.
HANDICAP: To make selections on the basis of a horses past performances.
Also, a race a Handicapper assigns weights to be carried.
HANDILY: Working or racing a horse with moderate effort, but more effort
than breezing pace
HAND RIDE: A Jockey urging his horse with the hands and not using whip
HEAD: A margin between the horses. A horse leading another by the length of
his head.
HEAD (or TOP)OF THE STRETCH: After the final turn, the beginning of the
stretch run home
HEAVY: Track condition, similar to, but even slower than Muddy
HORSE: Broad term in any Thoroughbred regardless of sex. Specifically,
an entire male 5 years or older
HUNG: A horse tiring but holding it’s position during a race
I
IN FOAL: A pregnant Mare
IN THE MONEY: A horse finishing first, second or third
IMPOST: Weight carried or assigned
INQUIRY: Stewards reviewing the race to check into a possible infraction of
the rules. Often requested by a Jockey or Trainer after the race and occurs
before the final results are posted.
IRONS: Stirrups
J
JOCKEY FEE: Sum paid to the rider
JOG: Slow, easy gait
JUVENILE: A 2 year old horse just beginning his race career
L
LASIX: A legal medication administered for the treatment of bleeding caused
by a ruptured blood vessel
LATE DOUBLE: A second Daily Double wager offered on the latter part of the
race day program.
LEAD PONY: A horse or pony who heads parade of the race field from Paddock
to Starting Gate. Also, any horse used as an Escort
LEG UP: To help a Jockey mount his horse
LENGTH: Measurement of a horse from nose to tail, about 8 feet. Also, the
distance between horses in a race
M
MAIDEN: A horse who has not won a race. Also a term applied to a
non-winning Jockey
MAIDEN RACE: A race only open to non winners
MARE: Female horse 5 years or older. Also, female of any age who has been
bred
MEDICATION LIST: An official list kept by the Track Veterinarian and
published by the Track and The Daily Racing Form
MINUS POOL: A mutual pool caused when one horse is so heavily wagered on,
that after deductions of state tax and commission, there is not enough money
left to pay the legally prescribed minimum on each winning bet
MORNING GLORY: A horse who performs well in morning workouts but fails to
reproduce that same form in races
MUDDY TRACK: Deep condition of track after being soaked with water
MUDDER: A horse who races well on muddy tracks
N
NECK: A unit of measurement; a quarter of a length
NOD: Lowering of head. Winning race in that manner
NOSE: Smallest advantage a horse can win by. Being “nosed out”
O
OBJECTION: Claim of a foul lodged by a Jockey
ODDS-ON: Odds of less than even money
OFFICIAL: Sign posted and displayed when result is confirmed. Also refers
to a Racing Official
OFF TRACK: Refers to a wet racing surface
ON THE BOARD: When a horse finishes amoung the first four
ON THE NOSE: Betting a horse to win only
OVERNIGHT RACE: A race in which entries close a specific number of hours
(such as 48 hrs) as opposed to a Stakes Race for which nominations/entries close
weeks and sometimes months in advance
P
PADDOCK: The area where the horses are saddled & mounted by Jockey’s before
a race
PADDOCK JUDGE: Official in charge of Paddock and Saddling routine
PARIMUTUEL: A form of wagering that originated in France in which all money
bet is divided up amoung those who have winning tickets, after taxes, takeout
and other deductions are made
PAST PERFORMANCES: A compilation in the Daily Racing Form of a horse’s
record, including all pertinent data, used as a basis for Handicapping
PATROL JUDGES: Officials who observe the progress of a race from various
vantage points around the track
PHOTO FINISH: A result so close it is necessary to use a finish line camera
to determine the winner
PLACE: A horse who comes in second at finish
PLACE BET: Wager on a horse to finish first or second
PLACING JUDGES: Officials who determine the order in which horses reach the
finish line
POCKET: During a race when a horse is boxed in or shut off. Running in a
position with horses in front or alongside
POLE: Markers at measured distances around the track, marking the distance
from the finish line or wire. The quarter pole, for instance, is a quarter of
a mile from the finish, not from the Starting Gate.
POST: Starting point and a horses position in the Starting Gate
POST PARADE: Horses going from Paddock to Starting Gate in front of the
stands
POST POSITION: Position of stall in starting gate from which a horse starts
POST TIME: Designated time for a race to begin
PREP(PREP RACE): A workout or a race to prepare a horse for a future
engagement
PURSE: Prize money. Term came from early 1800’s when a Lady would keep the
prize money in her silk purse at the finish line & award to the winner
Q
QUARTER: One quarter of a mile; 440 yards; 1,320 feet
QUARTER POLE: The striped marker along the track located 1/4 mile from the
finish line
R
RABBIT: A horse that is considered to have little chance of winning a race
but is entered purely to ensure a fast pace, softening up the competition for
the benefit of another entry mate.
RACING SECRETARY: Official who drafts conditions of races and assigns
weights for handicap events
RAIL RUNNER: A horse who prefers to run next to the inside rail
RESERVED: A horse whose Jockey holds him off the pace
RIDDEN OUT: A horse that wins under a vigorous Jockey hand ride but is not
being whipped
RIDGLING: A horse with only one testicle in tact
ROMP: A horse running (or winning) with utmost ease
ROUTE: Race distance of a mile or longer
ROUTER: A horse who performs well at distance races
RUNDOWN BANDAGES(WRAPS): Bandages on hind legs mainly used to protect the
legs from getting knicked by another racer’s shoes
S
SADDLE CLOTH: A cloth beneath the saddle on which a horses’ wagering & post
position number is displayed
SCRATCH: When a horse is taken out of a race
SECOND CALL: A second engagement of a Jockey who already is listed for a
mount in a race
SET DOWN: A suspension. Also, when a horse is put to a drive or asked to
run by the Jockey
SEVEN FURLONGS: Seven-eighths of one mile; 1,540 yards; 4,620 feet
SEX ALLOWANCE: Fillies or Mares, according to their age and time of year,
are allowed to carry less weight when running a meet against Males
SHOW: Coming in third position at the finish line
SHOW BET: Wager on a horse to finish in the money, third or better
SILKS: Jacket and cap worn by Jockey’s. The colors and logo patterns
designate owner of the horse
SIX FURLONGS: Three quarters of a mile; 1,320 yards; 3,960 feet
SIXTEENTH: 1/16th of a mile; 110 yards; 330 feet
SLOPPY: Track condition. Wet on surface with firm bottom
SLOW: Footing that is not fast, between good and heavy
SOLID HORSE: A contender
SOPHOMORE: A 3 year old horse
STAKES PLACED: Finishing first, second or third in a Stakes Race
STAKE: A race for which the Owner must pay a fee to run his horse. Some
Stakes races are by invitation only and require no payment or fee
STAKES HORSE: A horse capable of competing in such events
STALLION: An entire, or intact male horse capable of breeding
STARTING GATE: A mechanical device having partitions or stalls for horses in
which they are confined until Official Starter releases the doors only when
horses have all 4 feet on ground within the gates. The doors are secured by
heavy magnets and released by starter button.
STATE-BRED: A horse bred in a particular state and thus eligible to compete
in special races restricted to State Breds
STEADIED: A horse being taken in hand by his rider usually because of being
in close quarters
STEPS UP: A horse moving up in class
STEWARDS: Officials of the meet responsible for enforcing the rules
STRETCH: Final straight portion of the racetrack to the finish
STRETCH CALL: Position of horses at the eighth pole, usually about halfway
down the stretch
STRETCH RUNNER: A horse who finishes fast
STRETCH TURN: Bend of the track going into the homestretch
STRIDE: Manner of going. Also refers to the distance covered after each
foot has touched the ground once
STUD: Male horse used for breeding
STUD BOOK: Registry and genealogical record of the breeding of Thoroughbreds
maintained by the Jockey Club
SUBSCRIPTION: Fee paid by owner to nominate his/her horse for a Stakes Race
or to maintain eligibility for a Stakes Race
SUSPEND (SUSPENSION): A punishment for infraction of rules
T
TACK: A rider’s racing equipment (saddle/bridles/reigns, etc.)
TAKE (TAKEOUT): A commission deducted from pari-mutuel pools
TAKEN UP: A horse pulled up in a sharp manner by Jockey
TOTALISATOR: A machine which sells and records wagering tickets and shows
odds. Also figures out and displays payoffs. These figures are posted on
Totalisator Board in front of stands
TOUT: One who gives tips on racehorses
TRACK BIAS: A racing surface that favors a particular running style or post
position
TRACK RECORD: Fastest time at various distances recorded at a particular
track
TRIAL: A workout
TRIFECTA (or TRIPLE): A wager picking the first three finishers in exact
order
TRIP: Refers to a horse’s race
TRIPLE CROWN: Also sometimes referred to as The Holy Grail of Racing.
To be awarded this coveted title, a horse must win all 3 Races (or crown
jewels) The Kentucky Derby in Kentucky (1 1/4 miles); The Preakness (1 3/16 mile);
and The Belmont (1 1/2 miles)all of them occuring only a few weeks apart
starting in May and ending early June.
TURF COURSE: A race run on the inner grass track
U
UNDERWRAPS: A horse under stout restraint in a race or workout
UNTRIED: A horse that hasn’t been raced
W
WALKOVER: A race which all but one entry scratches and who gallops the
required distance
WARMING UP: Galloping a horse
WASHY: A horse breaking out in a nervous sweat
WEANLING: A foal that is less than 1 year old that has been separated from
it’s Dam
WINDED: Breathing with difficulty after a workout or a race
WINNER TAKES ALL: A winner receiving all the purse or stakes which are more
often divided via percentages amoungst the top 4 winners
WORK: To exercise a horse
Y
YEARLING: A Thoroughbred born between the first New Year’s Day and the
following January 1. Ex: A horse born in February and another born months later in
the early winter, both are still considered to be the same age on Jan 1 of
the following year.
YIELDING: A Turf Course condition term meaning slow.
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