Racing Glossary
ACCUMULATOR
(Also, PARLAY) A multiple bet. A kind of
'let-it-ride' bet. Making simultaneous
selections on two or more races with the
intent of pressing the winnings of the
first win on the bet of the following
race selected, and so on. All the selections
made must win for you to win the accumulator.
ACROSS THE BOARD
A bet on a horse to win, place and show.
Three wagers combined in one. If the horse
wins, the player wins all three wagers,
if second, two, and if third, one.
AGENT
A person authorized to act on the behalf
of a jockey or owner. Generally refers to
a jockey's agent who lines up rides for
him or her and is paid a commission from
the jockey's gross salary (25% in the US).
ALLOWANCE RACE
A race other than claiming for which the
racing secretary drafts certain conditions
to determine weights.
ALSO ELIGIBLE
A horse officially entered, but not permitted
to start unless the field is reduced by
scratches to a specified number.
ALSO RAN
A horse that finishes out of the money.
ANTE POST
(a.k.a. FUTURES) Bets placed in advance
predicting the outcome of a future event.
Ante post prices are those on major sporting
events, usually prior to the day of the
event itself. In return for the chance of
better odds, bettors risk the fact that
stakes are not returned if their selection
pulls out or is cancelled.
APPRENTICE
Rider who has not ridden a certain number
of winners within a specified period of
time. Also known as a bug boy.
APPRENTICE ALLOWANCE
Weight concession to an apprentice rider,
usually 10 pounds until the fifth winner,
seven pounds until the 35th winner and five
pounds for one calendar year from the 35th
winner.
AWT
All weather track.
BABY RACE
A race for two-year-olds.
BACKSTRETCH
Straight of far side of track between the
turns.
BAY
Color of horse varying from yellowish tan
(light bay) to brown or dark, rich shade
of mahogany (sometimes listed as dark bay
or brown) with black points- black mane,
tail, shadings of black low on the legs
and a black muzzle.
BELL LAP
In harness racing, the last lap of a race,
signified by the ringing of the bell.
BETTOR
Someone who places or has a bet. A 'Punter'
in the UK.
BEYER SPEED RATING
A measure of performance popularized by
Andy Beyer of The Washington Post.
BIT
Bar in horse's mouth by which it is guided
and controlled.
BLACK
Body, head muzzle, flanks and legs are covered
with uniform black hair.
BLANKET FINISH
Horses finishing so closely together they
could be covered by a blanket; difficult
to determine the order of finish.
BLAZE
White patch on face of a horse starting
at the forehead going down between the nostrils.
BLINKERS
Device to limit a horse's vision to prevent
it from swerving at objects or other horses
on either side.
BLOWOUT
A short, final workout, usually a day or
two before a race, designed to sharpen a
horse's speed.
BOARD
Short for Totalisator Board on which odds,
betting pools and other information are
displayed.
BOBBLE
A bad step away from the starting gate,
usually caused by the track breaking away
under a horse's hoof and causing him to
duck his head or nearly go to his knees.
BOLT
Sudden veering from a straight course.
BOX
A wagering term denoting a combination bet
whereby all possible numeric combinations
are covered.
BOXED IN
To be trapped between and behind other horses.
BREEDER'S CUP
Thoroughbred racing's year-end championship.
Known as Breeders' Cup Day, it consists
of eight races conducted at a different
racetrack each year with purses and awards
totaling $13 million. First run in 1984.
BREEZE
Working a horse at a moderate speed; less
effort than handily.
BREAKDOWN
When a horse suffers a serious injury; lameness.
BRIDGE-JUMPER
Someone who makes large show bets on short-priced
favorites.
BROODMARE
Female thoroughbred used for breeding.
BROWN
Sometimes difficult to separate from black
or dark bay. This color can usually be distinguished
by noting finer tan or brown hairs on the
muzzles or flanks.
BUG
See APPRENTICE. The mark (*) placed next
to the apprentice riders' names in the program
resembles a squashed bug so they came to
be called bug riders.
BULLET WORK
The best workout time for a particular distance
on a given day at a track.
BUTE
Trade name for phenylbutazone, a commonly
used analgesic for horses.
CALL (the)
Running position of horses in a race at
various points.
CAST
A horse is a cast when he lies down in the
stall in such a way that he is too close
to the wall, and there is a danger that
he may not be able to get up by himself
without injury.
CAULK
Projection on the bottom of a shoe to give
the horse better traction, especially on
a wet track.
CHALK
The wagering favorite in a race. Dates from
the days when on-track bookmakers would
write current odds on a chalkboard.
CHALK-PLAYER
Bettor who wagers on favorites.
CHART
A statistical "picture" of a race (from
which past performances are compiled), which
shows the position and margin of each horse
at designated points of call (depending
on distance of the race), age, weight carried,
owner, trainer, purse, conditions, pay-off
prices, odds, time, and other data.
CHECKED
A horse pulled up by his jockey for an instant
because he is shut off or in tight quarters.
CHESTNUT
Varies from light yellow to dark liver color.
A chestnut never has black points, mane
or tail.
CHUTE
Extension from the backstretch or homestretch
to permit a straightaway run for the start
CLAIMING RACE
Race in which horses are entered and subject
to claim (buy) for a specified price.
CLASSIC
Race of traditional importance. In the U.S.
specifically the Kentucky Derby, Preakness,
Belmont stakes, and Coaching Club American
Oaks (a.k.a. Kentucky Oaks) for fillies.
CLOCKER
One who times workouts and races.
CLUBHOUSE TURN
Generally, the turn closest to the grandstand.
COLORS
Racing silks - jacket and cap - worn by
riders to denote the owner(s) of horse.
COLT
Entire male horse, 4 years old and under.
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.
CONFORMATION
A horse's build and general physical structure;
the way he is put together.
COUPLED
Two or more horses running as an entry in
a single betting unit will have the same
number (ex. 1 & 1a
or 2 & 2a).
CUP
Trophy awarded to owners of winners. Also,
a distance race of a mile and a half or
more.
CUPPY
A track surface which breaks away under
a horse's hoof.
DAILY DOUBLE
Type of wager calling for the selection
of winners of two consecutive races, Usually,
the first and second race.
DAM
Mother of a thoroughbred.
DEAD HEAT
Two or more horses finishing in an exact
tie at the wire.
DECLARED
A horse withdrawn from a stake in advance
of scratch time. In Europe, a horse confirmed
to start in a race.
DERBY
A stakes event for three-year-olds.
DISQUALIFICATION
Change of order of finish by officials for
an infraction of the rules.
DISTAFF RACE
A race for fillies, mares, or both.
DISTANCED
Well beaten, finishing a great distance
behind the winner.
DQ
Disqualified.
DRIVING
Strong urging by rider.
DROPDOWN
A horse meeting a lower class of rivals
than he had been running against.
Glossary
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