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Gambling 101


Glossary of Horse Racing Terms

Across the Board

Putting a show, win and place bet on one horse.

Age

Thoroughbreds are always said to have a birthday on January 1st, regardless of when they were actually foaled/born.

Apprentice

A rider who has not ridden a certain number of winners within a specified period of time. See Bug Boy.

Apron

The (usually) paved area between the grandstand and racetrack.

Backstretch

The straight stretch of track opposite the grandstand.

Bearing In/Out

Also known as lugging in or out. When a horse moves inward or outward toward the rail during a race.

Bit

A metal or rubber attachment of the bridle that inserts into the horses mouth in order for the jockey to control the horse.

Blanket Finish

A close finish between two or more horses.

Bleeder

A horse that bleeds from the nose or mouth during or after strenuous exercise.

Blinkers

The hood and eyecups on a horse that restrict vision to prevent distractions.

Bloodline

A horses pedigree.

Blow Out

A short, high-speed workout right before a race.

Bobble

A bad step or stagger when the horse leaves the starting gate.

Bolt

When a horse makes a jagged swerve or mistakenly runs off.

Bounce

When a horse runs a poor race right after a superior performance.

Box

A wager that covers all possible numeric combinations.

Broodmare

A thoroughbred female that is bread for its racing qualities.

Bug Boy

A jockey with a weight allowance who is in training. Marked by a bug (asterisk) in the program. Also see Apprentice.

Bullet Work

The best time for the specified distance on a given day. Indicated by a bullet (dot) in the Daily Racing Form.

Bullring

A small track that is usually no longer than 5/8 of a mile.

Chalk

A specific kind of horseshoe (plate) used for racing on a muddy track.

Chart

The statistical record of a race that displays the positions of each horse, racing margins, odds, horses ages, weights carried, jockey, owner, trainer, payoffs, time, purse and conditions.

Checked

When a horse slows or pulls back due to traffic difficulties in a race.

Chute

A straight stretch of track extending to the oval section of a racetrack.

Circuit

A group of racetracks in a common geographical area that have complimentary racing dates.

Claiming Race

A race where all owners declare, before the race, the value at which their competing horses will be sold for after the race.

Class

A horse marked by superior breeding, racing ability and conformation qualities.

Clocker

One who times workouts at a track.

Closer

A horse that runs strongest at the end of a race, coming upon other horses from behind.

Colors

The racing silks a jockey wears.

Colt

A male horse that is under 5 years old.

Conditions

Rules of eligibility for horses entering into a race.

Conformation

The physical proportions and makeup of a horse.

Connections

All persons associated with a particular horse; the jockey, owner and trainer.

Coupled

An entry of two or more horses in a race by the same owner or trainer.

DRF

Acronym for Daily Racing Form. A newspaper of racing information detailing past performance.

Daily Double

A wager on both winners in two specific races, which results in a high payoff.

Dam

The mother of a horse.

Dark Day

A day without scheduled racing.

Dead Heat

A race where two or more horses tie at the finish.

Derby

A race involving three-year-olds.

Distaff Race

A race where only female horses are entered.

Dogs

Cones used during workouts to protect the inside of the racetrack.

Driving

When a jockey urges a horse to run during a race.

Dwelt

When a horse leaves the starting gate late.

Eased

A horse that is slowly brought to a halt during a race because of failure to compete, injury or lack of conditioning.

Entry

Two or more horses under the same trainer or owner that run as a single betting interest.

Exacta

To choose the first and second place horses in precise order.

Exacta Box

To choose the first and second place horses without specific order. A $2 box on both horses costs $4.

Field

(1) All the horses in a race;

(2) Two or more starters running as a single entry when there are more starters than available positions on the tote board.

Filly

A female horse under five years old.

Front-Runner

A horse that runs ahead of the other horses at the start of a race to gain the lead.

Furlong

A measure of one-eighth of a mile.

Gelding

A horse that has been castrated.

Graded Races

Races with chosen stakes. Classified according to importance (I, II, or III).

Groom

One who cares for horses.

Group Races

The European version of North American graded races.

Hand Ride

Racing when the jockey urges the horse to run using his/her hands rather than a whip.

Handicap

A race where horses are given weight according to their qualifications; making selections based on a horses past performance.

Handle

The total money sum wagered on a horse race during a specified time period.

Homebred

A horse that has been bred by its owner.

Homestretch

The front stretch of straight track extending from the last turn to the finish line.

Horse

A horse that is not castrated and is five years or older; a general term referring to all equines.

In the Money

To finish first, second or third in a race.

Irons

Stirrups.

Inquiry

A report of potential racing violations during a race compiled by a steward.

Journeyman

A jockey graduated from apprenticeship.

Juvenile

A horse that is two years old.

Length

A horses length measured from head to tail.

Lug In/Out

When a horse leans toward and away from the inside rail while running.

Maiden

A horse without a win.

Maiden Race

A race for horses that have not won.

Mare

A female horse over five years old or in foal.

Minus Pool

When a horse has been bet on so heavily for a race that the pool of money is not large enough to pay out the legal minimum, even after tax and commission deductions.

Morning Glory

A horse that has performs well in workouts but not in races.

Morning Line

The closest prediction of post-time odds on each horse that is racing. Calculated by racetrack employees.

Mudder

A horse that is able to run a good race on a wet track.

Mutuel Field

When two or more starters run as one entry because there are more starters than tote board positions.

Neck

A unit measurement of one-quarter of a horses length.

Nose

The smallest lead with which a horse can secure a win with.

Oaks

A stakes race in which only three-year-old fillies run.

Objection

A statement that a foul has occurred during a race, made either by the jockey, owner, or trainer.

Odds-On

Betting odds that are less than even money (1-1).

Off the Board

Finishing after third place in a race.

Off-Track

A track that is not in good condition.

Off-Track Betting (OTB)

Any wagering outlets not immediately located at the racetrack.

Outrider

An official riding a horse in a procession, leading the entered horses onto the track and into the gate.

Overlay

A horse that races at higher odds than suggested by past performances.

Overnight

A register of a days entered horses made available usually 48 or 72 hours prior to the race.

Overweight

Weight added to a horse to supplement a jockey who is below his/her required weight.

Paddock

An area open to the public for viewing of horses after they have been saddled and before the race.

Pari-Mutuel

A system of betting in which all the money wagered is divided between the winners after deductions are made for payment to the horsemen, racetrack and state.

Photo-Finish

A finish that is so close that a photo must be used to decide winning positions.

Pick 3

The chosen winners of three consecutive races upon which someone wagers.

Point(s) of Call

The position of a horse at numerous points in the racetrack.

Pool

The summed wagers in a race based on categories.

Post Parade

A horse procession in front of the grandstand approximately ten minutes before the race.

Post Position

The position of a horse in the starting gate that is closest to the inside of the track.

Prep Race

A race with the purpose of preparing a horse for a future race.

Pull Up

This occurs when a horse is slowed or stopped by its jockey during a race.

Quinella

To choose the first and second place without regard to order. Same as exacta box but has a smaller win return.

Rabbit

A horse that runs as an entry with another horse. The rabbit sets a fast pace in hopes of exhausting the other horses whereas the paired entry, referred to as the closer, attempts to win the race when the rabbit slows.

Racing Secretary

Responsible for setting up races, assigning handicap weights and ensuring the race is without technical difficulties. 

Route

A race that is a mile or longer.

Scratch

To eliminate a horse from a race.

Shadow Roll

Gear that sits on the bridge of a horses nose so that the horse cannot see shadows on the track.

Silks

The shirt and cap that jockeys wear to represent the colours of ownership.

Silky Sullivan

A horse that makes a run from behind to win the race. The horse Silky Sullivan made this move famous.

Simulcast

A live television transmission of a race.

Sire

The father of a horse.

Sophomores

Horses that are three-years-old and in their second year of racing.

Speed Figure

Numerical values given to horses racing performance based on specific factors such as final and track conditions.

Sprint

A race with a distance less than a mile.

Stakes Race

A race in which the highest quality horses run for a purse that includes nomination, entrance and starting fees paid by the owners, in addition to the usual money contributed by the race track.

Stallion/Stud

A male horse that is used for breeding.

Starter Race

A race restricted too horses that have been declared at a specific claiming price or less.

Stewards

Head officials who oversee the races.

Stretch

The straight stretch of track located in front of the grandstand.

Superfecta

To pick the top four winners in precise order.

Takeout

Money deducted from a pari-mutuel pool to be shared by the horsemen, racetrack and beneficiaries. Amount varies depending on jurisdiction.

Tote Board

A board located in the infield that displays minute-to-minute odds and other waging information.

Trainer

One who prepares a horse for professional racing.

Trifecta

To pick the first, second and third place horses in precise order.

Turf

A grass course.

Underlay

A horse that races below expected odds based on past performance.

Washed Out

When a horse sweats a lot before a race, often due to nervousness.

Weight

The total weight (including the jockey, equipment and saddle) of a horse during a race.

Win and Place Bet

To place a bet that the same horse will either win the race or place second.

Win and Show Bet

To place a bet that the horse will either win the race or place third.

Win, Place, and Show Bet

Also known as across the board. To place three separate bets: that the horse wins the race, places second or places third.

Winners Circle

The area beside a racetrack where winning horses are displayed for a win photo with the jockey, trainer and owner.

Wire

The finish line of a racetrack.

Workout

A gallop time recorded during training by track timekeepers.

Yearling

A horse that is one year old.

Glossary of Terms


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