A method of wagering on a horse to win, place and show. The player collects if the horse finishes first, second or third.
That money which is added to a purse by the racing association (track), or by sponsors, state-bred programs or other funds added to those monies gathered by nomination, entry, sustaining and other fees coming from the horsemen.
Shall be computed on the basis of a calendar year. Of racing animals, all race horses have January 1 of the year they were born as their official birth date, regardless of their foaling date. The South American countries of Argentina and Brazil shall be computed on July 1 for show and race purposes.
A race in which eligibility is based upon amounts of money won or earned, or number of races a horse has won over a specified time.
A horse officially entered, but not permitted to start unless the field is reduced by scratches at scratch time. Also, the next preferred nonqualifier for the finals or consolation from a set of elimination or time trials which will become eligible in the event a finalist is scratched by the stewards for rule violation or is otherwise ineligible.
Used to describe a horse that did not finish in the money (first, second or third).
The allowance or weight off allowed an apprentice jockey during his/her first year of riding. Usually an apprentice or "bug" rider gets 10 lbs. off until his/her 35th winner. This gives younger, inexperienced riders a more even chance against older more experienced "journeyman " jockeys. The rule varies from state to state, and does not apply to Quarter Horse Racing.
The employee of the racetrack who, under direct supervision of the starter, helps place the starting gate for a race, leads horses into the gate, helps riders and handles horses while in the gate until start is given. Will also help with any equipment change or repair at gate and with the "schooling" of horses in the mornings.
A person employed by a licensed trainer to assist and assume responsibility in the absence of that trainer in all the daily work, chores, saddling, etc. involved in the training of horses. Assistant trainers are required to be tested and licensed by state racing commissioners.
A term commonly used signifying the horses have arrived and are ready to be loaded into the starting gate.
A person licensed by the commission and appointed by a written instrument, signed and acknowledged before a notary public by the owner in whose behalf the agent will act.
The stable and training area of a racetrack.
Straight or far-side of track between turns.
For horses these come in two forms; 1) Standing-used in stall at rest for therapeutic purposes (i.e., poultice, brace, liniments); and 2) Racing-using Vetrap or ace type bandages for support of tendons and to prevent a horse from "running down" or burning his heels on the track surface as legs tire and strain more.
| Bearing In (or Out) / Lugging In (or Out) |
A horse that moves or lugs inward (to its left toward the inside rail) or outward while racing. May be due to weariness, infirmity, lack of experience, whip used by rider or rider's inability to control mount.
Term used by track handicappers, tip sheets, selectors, etc., to signify the horse they feel most likely to win that day.
Bold-face type is used in sale catalogs to distinguish horses that have won or placed in a stakes. If a horse's name appears in all upper case bold-face type, he has won one stakes race. If it appears in upper/lower case bold-face type, he has placed in at least one stakes.
Finish in which two or more horses are very close at finish (one can "Throw a blanket over them"). Very common in American Quarter Horse racing.
A horse, during or following exercise or a race, is observed to be shedding blood from one or both nostrils or the mouth, or is observed by scope to be hemorrhaging in the lumen of the respiratory.
A hood placed over a horse's head with cups sewn onto the eye openings. The cups prevent a horse from seeing anywhere but straight ahead, thus preventing distractions. The size of the cups are varied to allow a horse more or less peripheral vision.
The term for a very short-220 to 250 yards-workout at full speed. Used primarily to put a horse on its toes before a race.
When a horse swerves sharply from his lane or the regular course; also a runaway.
Group of mares being bred to a stallion in a given year.
Part of a horse's pedigree or bloodlines, which indicates the dam, granddam, maternal grandsire, etc..
That portion of the payoff to winning bettors that is retained by the association. Since in most North American racing jurisdictions payoffs are to the next lower dime, the difference is known as breakage and is retained (i.e., the computer calculates an actual payoff as being $4.47896 for $2.00, then the actual payoff as being $4.40 and the breakage is $.07896.)
The breeder of an American Quarter Horse is considered to be the owner of the dam at the time of service, while the breeder of a Thoroughbred is the owner of dam at time of foaling.
Working a horse at a moderate speed.
The sire of a broodmare.
The best time for the distance on the work tab for a given day at a track.
A racetrack with either a half-mile or 5/8ths mile oval.
Trade name for Phenylbutazone, a commonly used analgesic for horses.
Otherwise known as "mud caulks;" small cleats inserted on the back end of a horse's shoe or racing plate; most often used when the track's surface becomes muddy, heavy or slick; allows the horse a better grip of the surface and eliminates slipping and provides sounder footing.
The "box score" of a race. The charts give all the information of the running of a race including horses' positions during the race, official order of finish, wagering handle, payoffs, closing odds, owner, trainer, jockey, purse distribution, times, speed ratings and conditions of race.
The employee of Equibase Company or the racetrack who charts all the races that day and sends the information to the past performance program company or AQHA.
The pulling back or sudden slowing due to traffic problems during the race.
The straightaway extension to the oval section of a track. Generally, the typical one mile track will have a 440-yard or 1 1/4-mile chute entering the homestretch and a 3/4- and/or 7/8-mile chute entering the backstretch.
Term used to describe several racetracks with complementing racing dates, which form a circuit within a certain geographic area.
Claiming races are the most common type of race, constituting approximately 70% of all races run. In these races, horses are entered for a specific price and can be purchased or "claimed" by any licensed owner at the track for that price.
A horse which consistently runs in claiming races.
The compartment usually found adjacent to the paddock where the claim sheet/card is dropped.
The price for which a horse is running in a claiming race.
A race in which the conditions provide that each entry may be bought by a licensed owner, either directly or indirectly, through a trainer. The claim can only be made until a few minutes before post time, at which time the claiming box is closed. A claimed horse becomes the property of the new owner when the race starts, but the purse winnings from that race go to the previous owner.
A horse showing all the best qualities in breeding, conformation, ability and stamina.
A racing official whose responsibility is to sequester all jockeys each racing day, check their assigned riding weights versus their actual weights, report all changes and weigh all riders out and in from races.
Person responsible for accurately timing the workouts of a horse. These times are published for the benefit of the public. All workouts are taken during the morning training hours.
The time published by the organization after which nominations or entries will not be accepted for a race.
Generally, the turn closet to the clubhouse.
A male horse at the ages of two or three.
The qualifications or eligibility rules for horses to be entered into a race. Also a term used to indicate a horse is ready to race.
A booklet written by the Racing Secretary and published for the horsemen by the racing association usually every two weeks, which lists all races, conditions and other information pertinent to the race meet.
Term used to describe a racing animal's build, muscle and bone structures they relate to racing.
The person(s) responsible for selling a horse at a public sale. The owner pays the person(s) a commission based on the horse's selling price.
Restoring a horse, usually by bathing and walking, to normal temperature after becoming overheated in a race workout.
Two or more horses belonging to the same owner or trained by the same trainer are said to be coupled, as they run as an entry comprising a single wagering interest.
A surface which breaks away under a horse's hoof, due to soft pockets; often the case in a drying track.
The loose, top surface of the racetrack.
A type of wager in which one must select the winners of two races in succession.
The female parent or broodmare.
A day when no racing is scheduled.
Where the photo-finish camera shows two horses inseparable at the finish, the race is declared a dead heat or tie.
The act of withdrawing an entered horse from a race before the closing of overnight entries. A horse that has been withdrawn is said to have been declared.
A stakes race exclusively for three-year-olds.
The female designation for race horses.
Change in the order of finish by officials for an infraction of the rules.
Well beaten, finishing a great distance behind the winner.
A horse under strong urging by the rider.
A horse meeting a lower class of rival than he had been running against.
A horse not allowed to continue in a race due to injury, poor conditioning or inability to compete.
To enroll a horse in a race.
A horse eligible to run in a race; also, two or more horses entered on the same race which have common ties of ownership, lease or training.
A locked box into which trainers drop entry forms.
A track employee stationed in the racing secretary's office to take entries in person and collect those form the entry box.
Money paid to enter a horse in a race.
Gear carried by horse and jockey in a race, such as whip or blinkers.
The odds to $1 (i.e., if a horse pays $12 dollars for a $2 wager, by deducting the $2 wager the odds then are 10-2 thus making the equivalent odds 5-1).
A wager in which the bettor must select the first and second-place finishers in order.
Rider who exercises horses in the morning training hours.
Any wager that involves more than one horse; generally the pari-mutuel takeout is higher and the mutuel payoffs are higher than straight wagers (i.e., Quinella, Daily Double and Trifecta).
A horse that is wagered down to favoritism when others appear to outclass him.
Unofficial start, from which horses are recalled to the gate.
An entrant that has the shortest odds on the toteboard.
The best race on a card.
A track that is thoroughly dry and at its best. The footing is even.
The entire group of starters in a race; or the mutuel field with several longshots coupled as a single wagering interest when more horses are entered than the toteboard allows.
A female horse at the ages of 2 and 3.
Bend in the track beyond the starting point; also, clubhouse turn.
Commonly used to describe a horse in the peak of condition.
A weighted, flat piece of equipment used to seal and remove the water from a racing surface; also, the filing down of the sharp edges of a horse's molars.
An action by any horse or jockey that hinders or interferes with another horse or jockey during the running of a race.
The track surface is frozen solid and unable to be maintained.
Horses that have both the same sire and dam.
A stakes race for two-year-olds in which owners must pay nominating money and sustaining payments.
A castrated male horse of any age.
Offspring of a male horse.
The elastic strap, much like a belt, which is buckled to either side of the saddle and tightened around the horse's mid-section or girth passage. A second girth known as an overgirth is fastened over the girth and saddle as an extra precautionary measure.
A racetrack surface rated between slow and fast. Moisture remains in the strip but the footing is adequate.
The grade that may be given traditional handicaps, stakes or classic races by quality of horses and size of the purse with Grade 1 being the best, Grade 2 the next best, and Grade 3 next.
The mother of a horse's dam (also called second dam).
The father of a horse's sire, unless otherwise stated (see maternal grandsire).
The stable employee, employed by the trainer, who cares for horses and performs daily chores such as grooming, bedding stall, bandaging, feeding, tacking and preparing for a race.
Horses out of the same dam but different sires.
Headgear used on horse when being handled around barn or when being walked, when not using bridle; also to claim a horse.
A unit of measurement, approximately four inches, by which a horse's height is measured; determined by placing one hand above the other from the ground to the withers or the point where the saddle rests.
Urging a horse with hands rather than using the whip.
A race in which the weights are assigned depending on a horse's past performance and ability. The racing secretary or handicappers assigns a range of weight which would theoretically cause horses to finish in a dead heat.
The racing secretary or other official who assigns weight, handicaps, and races; also the journalist who analyzes a day's racing card and reports his selections for the wagering public.
Making a selection by determining relative qualities of horses through their past performance and class.
Of a horse in a race, winning easily; in a workout, a pace which is a bit slower than driving but faster than breezing.
The aggregate amount of money passing through the pari-mutuel machines and windows for a given period.
A margin between horses which describes one horse leading another by the length of his head.
A drying track that is muddy and drying out. Footing is heavy and sticky.
A horse bred by his owner.
The straightaway between the end of the far turn and the finish line.
Any equine regardless of sex; specifically, an entire male 4 years of age or older.
Of horses, involves a system of recognition of several types of markings by the horse identifier. Markings are noted on animal's breed registry papers and usually range from coat color, lip tattoos, hair whorls, cowlicks, white markings, scars and brands.
Weight carried or assigned to a racehorse.
A horse finishing first, second or third in a race.
Area within the inner rail of the racetrack.
The stewards' immediate investigation into the running of a race which may result in the disqualification of one or more horses.
Wagering on a race broadcast from another out-of-state track.
Wagering in a simulcast race from another track.
Wagering on a race broadcast from a track within the state.
A race in which the field of competing horses is selected by inviting horse owners to enter a specific horse.
Stirrups.
Signifying the 30 days after a horse has been claimed, in which it must run for a 25% higher claiming price than for what it was claimed.
Professional rider; also, to maneuver a horse in a race.
Person employed by a jockey to secure mounts.
A slow easy gait, usually a trot, used primarily in warming-up horses before a race or workout.
A two-year-old American Quarter Horse and the youngest age at which one can race.
A period of time in which a race horse is sent away from the racetrack to rest.
Unit of measurement in racing and charting terminology. The length of an American Quarter Horse, the distance from the horse's nose to the tip of his flying tail, is .16 seconds (16/100ths), while the length of a Thoroughbred is .20 seconds (20/100ths).
The weight of a jockey that a horse carries versus dead weight such as lead pad, which does not move with the horse's action.
A horse that has never won a race.
A race for non-winners.
A female horse 4 years of age or older.
Describes a challenge race between two horses.
The sire of a horse's dam.
A stakes race for 4-year-olds and up in which owners must pay nominating money and sustaining payments.
A list kept by the track veterinarian and posted at the track showing which horses have been treated with legally permitted medication, usually limited to Bute and Lasix.
When a horse is so heavily played by bettors after the deduction of the state tax and commissions, not enough money remains in the pool to pay off the legally prescribed minimum.
A sale consisting of varying types of horses, such as yearlings, broodmares, horses in training, etc.
The approximate odds usually printed on the program and posted on the totalizator board prior to any wagering. The morning line is a prediction of how the wagering will go on a race.
The flat fee earned by a jockey who has not finished in the top three where he might earn a percentage of the purse.
Racetrack footing where water has soaked into the base and is soft and wet. The footing is deep and slow.
Horse that races well on a muddy track.
The total amount wagered on a race in each ticket category. The total number of winning tickets in the win category share the entire pool equally after the takeout is deducted. The same is true of the Daily Double and other exotic pools. The place pool is divided into two parts and the show pool into three parts and divided among the holders of winning tickets on the horses involved.
Unite of measurement: a quarter of a length equal to the length of a horse's neck.
Smallest advantage by which a horse can win.
A claim of foul in a race lodged by a horse's jockey, trainer, owner, or the owner's authorized agent before the race is declared official.
Odds of less than even money.
Used to describe a horse that has finished worse than fourth.
Wagering on horses at legalized wagering offices, usually run by the state or the tracks.
The designation given to the result of a race by the stewards when any occurrences that affected the actual order of finish have been decided in terms of pari-mutuel payoffs to winning bettors.
The track employee who leads the post parade and who, along with his/her fellow outriders, keeps all the horses and jockeys in line and gets them to the starting gates on time, also catches any loose or runaway horses.
Any winning pari-mutuel ticket which remains uncashed; also known as uncashed tickets or outs.
A horse going off at a higher price than he appears to warrant based on his past performances.
A race for which entries close 72 hours or less before the post time for the first race on the day the race is to be run; also, the sheet available to horsemen at the racing secretary's office showing the entries, post positions, weights and jockeys for the next race day.
Pounds that a horse carries in excess of his officially assigned weight because jockey is too heavy.
The area where the horses are saddled and viewed prior to a race.
The racing official responsible for getting jockeys and horses in order to go to the gate; also checks the equipment used by each horse and supervises the saddling of the horses.
From French meaning "wager amongst us"; the system for racetrack wagering that returns to winning bettors the amounts wagered by unsuccessful bettors, less takeout taxes to state, track and purse. Bettors wager against each other rather than against the horse, as in casino wagering.
Information published by Daily Racing Form or the racetrack which gives information on a horse's most recent races and works for handicapping purposes.
The racing official placed at critical points around the track in stands or towers, who observes the running of the race and reports back to stewards as to any interference or careless riding.
A very close finish in which only careful viewing of the photo-finish picture can determine the order of finish.
| Pick-Three, Pick-Six, Pick-Nine etc... |
Wagers in which the winners of all the included races must be selected.
A wager in which you collect if your horse finishes first or second in a race. The place position is the second place spot.
The racing official in charge of the official placing or order of finish of horses during and after the running of a race through the viewing of the race, especially at the finish, and the viewing of the photo-finish strip with the stewards. At some tracks the steward also serves as the placing judge.
Markers around the track indicating the distance to the finish line.
The starting point for the race.
The time period prior to the race when horses leave the paddock, come in the racetrack and parade in front of the grandstands for review.
A horse's position in the starting gate from the inside rail out, decided by a drawing at the close of entries prior to the race, with the approval of the starter.
The official time set by the stewards and the mutuel department at which a race will start and the horses are required to be at the post and ready to start.
A system which makes entering a horse to race more fair; horses with the longest time since its last race or chance to race have the higher preference for the next race entered.
The offspring of either a male or female horse.
The official program is published and sold only by the racing association; also, includes all vital information on the day's racing card, including race number, conditions, distance, types of betting, horse's names, numbers, jockeys, and weight.
A written complaint signed by the protestor against any horse which has started in a race, and shall be made to the Stewards within 48 hours after the running of the race.
One whose services are available to the public and who expects to train a number of horses from a number of owners.
The prize monies offered in a race, generally made up of the added money based on handle and/or sponsor's contribution, and any nomination, sustaining or entry fees.
Wager in which the first two finishers must be picked, but payoff is made no matter which wins and which runs second.
A state appointed body charged with regulating and supervising the conduct of racing in that state.
A type of horseshoe which is very light, made of aluminum, with a toe grab or cleat for better traction.
Much smaller than other types of English saddles, generally weighing between eight and 14 ounces without stirrups.
The official who writes the conditions for the races, assigns the weights for handicap races, receives entries, conducts the draw, and is responsible for operation and organization of the race office.
A barrier, generally made of aluminum covered with a plastic shield, which forms the inside and outside perimeter of the racing surface.
When a horse will not break from the gate.
A Register of Merit is designed to establish a record of outstanding performance. There are three Registers of Merit - one for racing, one for halter, and one for performance events- but not a separate Register of Merit for each performance event. A horse has received at least one official Speed Index Rating of 80 or higher in racing. Qualified horses registered with the Jockey Club of New York City will be listed and treated as racing Register of Merit qualifiers for all purposes except that they shall not receive a certificate of Register of Merit or year-end awards. Until 1956 a Grade A was a 75 or better speed index, 1957 to 1975, Grade AA was an 85 or better. From 1976 to 1985 a Register of Merit could be earned by an 80 or better speed index or by earning 10 racing points. From 1986 to present, a Register of Merit could only be earned by a speed index of 80 or better.
TAAA- 100
AAA- 95
AA- 85
A- 75
B- 65
C- 55
D- 45
The document forwarded by the breed registry that certifies that the horse is a duly registered Thoroughbred or American Quarter Horse; also includes all identification markings of the animal, registration number, owner, breeder and state foaled.
A stakes race in which conditions limit the participants based upon certain criteria. The more common restricted stakes race are state-bred races and races written for horses purchased through or consigned to a certain sale.
Winning a race without a rider urging a horse to do his utmost because he has a wide margin over the second-place horse.
A special type of bit to prevent a horse from bearing in or out.
Bandages on the hind legs, usually with a pad inside, to keep a horse from burning or scraping his heels or fetlocks when he races.
Cloth under the saddle on which program numbers and sometimes horses name are displayed.
To train a horse, especially at the gate, in the paddocks and before a crowd and otherwise teaching him racing practices.
A non-parimutuel preparatory race which conforms to requirements adopted by the state racing commission.
The act of withdrawing an entered horse from a race after the closing of overnight entries.
The deadline established by the race office for horses to be scratched prior to the printing of the official program. Generally, races are drawn 72 to 48 hours before race day; for stakes races, scratch time can be up to 15 minutes before post time.
Allowing fillies and mares to carry less weight when racing against males.
Sheepskin or cloth cylinder strapped across the horse's nose to bar his vision of the ground, preventing him from shying from shadows.
Stable area with barns and walk-ways under roof.
A type of wager in which you collect if your horse finishes first, second or third in a race.
| Silks (also called colors) |
Jockey's racing shirt displaying the owner's or post position colors.
Televising races to other tracks, locations or outlets for the purpose of wagering.
A male parent, father.
Racetrack footing during or immediately after a heavy rain; water has saturated the cushion and may form puddles. The base is still firm. Footing is splashy but even, and the running time remains fast.
Racetrack footing is still wet, between heavy and good. Footing is heavy.
A three-year-old horse.
The condition of a horse that is free of lameness, injury or illness.
An evaluation of a horses speed in a race versus the three fastest winning times for the same distance each year for the previous three years at the same track.
Races in which stakes of $50 or more are to be posted by the owners of the horses engaged. May have other prize money added as well. Nominations must close more than 72 hours before time for the first race of the day. Conditions cannot exclude entries in any way other than age or sex. No race with a purse less than $10,000 will be recognized as a stakes for black type.
Finishing second or third in a stakes race.
A mare that has produced at least one foal that finished first in a stakes race.
Types of races that offer the largest purses (prize money). They are races in which the purse consists of nomination, entrance and/or starting fees, plus money added by the racetrack or sponsor. These are the types of races that are graded G1, G2, or G3. (See Graded Race)
Entire or uncastrated male horse.
The track official that has complete jurisdiction over the starting of the horses and authority to give orders necessary to ensure a fair start; a horse that is in the starting gate when his stall door opens as the field is dispatched.
An allowance or handicap race restricted to horses which have started for a specific claiming race.
An electro-mechanical structure in which horses are loaded. All stall doors open simultaneously when the starter dispatches the field, ensuring a fair start.
A horse bred and/or foaled in a particular state in a manner that meets all the criteria established by the state law and commission rules, and thus is eligible to compete in special races or purse supplements.
Racetrack official that presides over the race meeting, has superior jurisdiction over all racing officials, rules on claims of foul or any protests, imposes fines and suspensions. Is responsible to the racing commissions for the enforcement of the rules and regulations as stipulated in the state statutes. The board of stewards consists of three members at all racetracks.
Win, place or show.
Final straightaway portion of the racetrack to the finish line.
Position of horses at designated pole markers, dependent upon the length of the race.
The percentage taken out of every dollar wager, and split between state, track and purses; generally, in pari-mutuel racing, the percentage taken out is usually between 15-20% for straight wagers and 20-25% for exotic wagers.
A form of identification in which racehorses are marked under the upper lip with a letter/number combination, which is also reflected on the registration certificate of American Quarter Horses. In American Quarter Horses a horse must be parentage verified prior to tattooing. In Quarter Horses the letter/number combination is five numbers or four numbers ending in a letter.
Electrical timing requires photo-finish cameras and equipment, which are activated by opening of the starting gate. The photo-finish camera records each horse on a moving strip of film as that horse crosses the finish line. A timing strip is visible across the top of the photo-strips, which reflects the time of each horse at the finish line in 1/100ths of a second.
Strap or tape bandage used to tie down a horse's tongue to prevent choking in a race or workout.
An intricate piece of electronic equipment which records each wager in the win, place, show and exotic pools as the pari-mutuel tickets are sold. This equipment also calculates the odds on each horse according to the amount wagered.
A display board in the infield on which data is posted electronically. Data includes approximate odds, total amount wagered in each pool, track condition, post time, time of day, result of race, official and inquiry signs, running time of each race and the mutual payoffs after each race is declared official, as well as other pertinent information.
To give or sell wagering advice, also a person who does so.
Fastest time at each distance recorded at a particular track.
The official responsible for maintaining acceptable racing and training track conditions during race meet.
The person who conditions and prepares horses for racing, with the absolute responsibility to ensure the physical condition and eligibility of the horse in accordance with the strict interpretation of the rules, regulations and laws of racing.
Race in which eligible horses compete to determine the finalists in a nomination race.
A wager in which the first three finishers must be chosen in exact order.
Term used for infield grass course on which some races are run.
Horse under stout restraint in a race or workout.
A horse racing at shorter odds than he should.
An employee who takes care of a jockey's equipment, ensures that the correct silks are at his locker and the rider has the proper weight in his lead pad. He carries the saddle, and equipment to the paddock, helps the trainer in saddling the horse, meets the rider after the race and carries the saddle and equipment back to the jockey's room after the jockey has weighed in.
The system by which video cameras are strategically placed around a racing oval in order to broadcast and record the running of each race from each possible angle.
A slow gallop or canter to the starting point of the race.
Horse breaking out in a nervous sweat before a race.
A foal being weaned and until he becomes a yearling on January 1 of the following year.
The procedure where the Clerk of Scales, prior to the race, checks the weights of the jockeys and their riding equipment against the officially assigned weight for each horse in the race.
The procedure where the Clerk of Scales, after the race, checks the weights of jockeys and their riding equipment against the officially assigned weight for each horse in the race.
Fixed scale of weights to be carried by horses according to age, sex, distance of the race and season of the year.
A type of wager where one entrant is combined with every other entrant in the race; can be done with various types of wagers (i.e, wheel the #1 horse with all the other horses in an Exacta wager).
Leather instrument with which the rider encourages his horse to increase his speed; also bat, goad or stick.
Type of wager in which one collects only if a horse wins the race.
The enclosure adjacent to the racing oval where a winning horse is brought for a ceremonial win photo with the owner, trainer, and their friends.
A horse's age following January 1 of the year after foaling.