Across the board-A win, place and show wager on a horse.
Added money-Money added by a racing association to the amount paid by owners for nomination, eligibility and starting fees.
Allowance race-An event other than a claiming race for which the racing secretary drafts particular conditions.
Also eligible-A horse that is officially entered in a race but is not permitted to start unless the field is reduced by scratches.
Apprentice allowance-Weight concession given to apprentice jockeys. The usual allowance is five pounds, but varies from state to state.
Backside-The stable area of a racetrack.
Backstretch-A straightaway section on the far side of the racetrack.
Bay-Color of a thoroughbred (b).
Bit-The metal bar placed in a horse`s mouth for guidance and control.
Black-Color of a thoroughbred (blk).
Bleeder-A horse that bleeds after or during a workout because of a ruptured vessel.
Blind switch-When a horse is trapped behind or between horses with no room to race.
Blinkers-Device used to limit a horse`s vision.
Blow out-Exercising a horse at a moderate pace for a short distance.
Bolt-Sudden movement from a straight course.
Breakdown-When a horse is injured and comes up lame.
Butazolidin-Phenylbutazone, an anti-inflammatory medication.
Chalk horse-The favorite.
Colors-Racing silks worn by jockeys denoting ownership of the horse.
Colt-A thoroughbred horse age 2-4.
Coupled-An entry of two or more horses entered in a race by the same trainer.
Cuppy track-When the track surface breaks under a horse`s hooves.
Cushion-Track surface.
Dam-The mother of a horse.
Driving-Strong urging by the jockey.
Eighth-One furlong; 220 yards; 660 feet.
Exercise boy-A rider who exercises horses.
Farrier-A horseshoer.
Fast track-A track with dry, even and fast footing. The best track condition possible.
Field-One or more horses running as a single betting unit. Horses considered to have little chance of winning are grouped in the field.
Filly-A female horse under age 5.
Flag-Signal held by a man located at the exact starting point of a race. The official timing begins when the flag is dropped.
Foal-A baby horse.
Fractional time-Intermediate time for races: quarter, half, three-quarters.
Freshening-Resting a horse from racing or training.
Furlong-One-eighth of a mile; 220 yards; 660 feet.
Gelding-A castrated male horse.
Good track-Condition between fast and slow.
Graded races-Events in which horses are graded by a track handicapper according to class. Indicates status.
Groom-A person hired by a trainer to care for horses.
Hand-A unit of measurement for the height of a horse. One hand equals four inches.
Handily-Racing without use of the whip.
Handle-Amount of money bet on a race, daily card, meeting or year.
Head of stretch-Beginnig of straight run to finish line.
Home stretch-Front straightaway from the last turn to the finish line.
In foal-A pregnant mare.
In hand-When a horse is running less than its best pace and can go faster at the call of the jockey.
Irons-Stirrups.
Juvenile-A 2-year-old horse.
Lasix-A diuretic medication for a horse that is a bleeder.
Length-The length of a horse from nose to tail, which is about eight feet.
Maiden-A horse that has not won a race.
Mare-A female horse that is at least 5 years old.
Mudder-A horse that races well over a wet or soft track.
Objection-A foul claim lodged by a jockey, patrol judge or other official.
Odds-on-The betting price is less than even money.
Off-track-A track surface that is less than fast.
Overweight-Extra weight carried by a horse when the jockey is unable to make the required weight. Limit of five pounds.
Parimutuels-A form of wagering in which money is divided among those holding winning tickets.
Placing judges-Officals who determine the top four finishing horses in a race.
Plater-A horse that runs in a claiming race.
Pocket-Getting boxed in.
Pole-Markers at measured distances around the track, such as eighth pole, quarter pole, etc.
Pool-The total money bet on the entire field to win, place and show.
Purse-Amount of money in a race that is distributed to the top five finishers.
Racing secretary-The official who drafts conditions for races.
Rogue-An ill-tempered horse.
Savage-A horse biting a person or another horse.
Scale of weights-Fixed weights carried in a race by horses according to sex, age, distance and season.
Schooling-Helping a horse get used to starting from a gate.
Shed row-The stable area.
Silks-Jacket and cap worn by a jockey.
Sire-The father of a horse.
Sixteenth-One-sixteenth of a mile; 110 yards; 330 feet.
Sophomores-3-year-old horses in their second season of racing.
Stallion-An entire male horse.
Starting gate-Mechanical device used to start horses in a race.
Stayer-A strong-willed horse.
Stewards-Top officials at a race. The position is similar to that of umpires and referees.
Stick-A jockey`s whip.
Stretch-The straightaway portion of the track.
Stud-A male horse used for breeding.
Sulk-A horse refuses to extend itself.
Take-Commission deducted from mutuel pools that is shared by the state and track.
Top weight-The highest weight given for a race.
Tote board-A display board that reveals wagering information. It is located in the inflield.
Trial-Workout.
Turf course-A grass racecourse.
Under wraps-Putting a horse under restraint in a race or workout.
Valet-A person who helps jockeys keep their wardrobe and equipment in order.
Walk hots-To cool a horse down after a race or workout.
Walkover-A race with only one starter because of scratches. The starter is required to gallop the required distance to win the race.
Weight-for-age-Fixed weights to be carried by horses according to age, sex, distance of race and season.
Yearling-A horse that is one year old. The universal birthdate for all race horses is January 1.
