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A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y

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A

Abandoned: A cancelled race dues to bad weather or insufficient nominations. The track should provide a refund for any abandoned race.

Acceptor: A horse on the official race schedule.

Accumulator: A multiple bet made using a single stake to generate two (doubles) or more bets (triples, four-folds, five-folds, six-folds, ten-folds, etc.) one after the other, and “letting it ride”. Basically, every time a selection wins, the stake plus winnings is put onto the next selection. If any selection loses, the whole bet is lost. A ten-folds accumulator is a 10 selections bet of 10 events.

Across The Board: A bet on a horse to win, place or show (three bets in one). If the horse wins, the player wins all three wagers. If the horse comes in second, the player wins for place and show, and if it finishes third, he just wins show.

Action: Betting, or a way to describe how a horse runs.

Added Money: When the racing association, breeding, or other fund adds cash to the purse of a race to the amount paid by owners in nomination, eligibility, entry and starting fees. For example, "The Bloomsburg fair will add $1,750.00 in each of the eight divisions. There will be no deduction for promotion, clerical or any other expenses. The horsemen will race for every dollar paid in plus the $14,000.00 added by the Bloomsburg Fair."

Age: Racehorses’ ages are only counted by year, since the official age for all thoroughbreds is January 1st.

All-Ages Race: Includes two-year-old horses and up.

All Out: When a horse is running as hard as possible.

Allowances: When a horse’s handicap is reduced because of special circumstances. Some examples: when an apprentice or female jockey is riding, or if younger horses are racing against more experienced ones.

All Weather Racing: Races that take place on astroturf or some other artificial surface.
Also Ran: A horse that doesn’t finish in the top four.

Amateur (rider): A rider without formal training. On racecards, their names may be prefixed by Mr, Mrs, Dr, Captain, etc., to indicate their amateur status.

Ante Post: A bet placed in advance, usually before the day of the event itself. In major racing events such as the Belmont Stakes or Kentucky Derby, players risk the fact that stakes are not returned if their selection pulls out or is cancelled, in return for the chance of better odds.

Apprentice: A trainee jockey, also called a bug-boy. An apprentice will usually ride only flat races.

Approximates: The estimated money a horse is worth before a race begins.

Arbitrage: When there’s a loophole in the odds that guarantees a win regardless of the bet.

ART: ARtificial Turf.

ATS: Against The Spread.

AWT: All Weather Track.

B

Baby Race: A race for two-year-old horses only.

Back: Betting on, or “backing” a horse. When a horse is “backed-in” it has a lot of bets placed on it, and the odds offered will decrease.

Back Marker: The horse in a handicapped race that is given the biggest handicap.

Backstretch or Back Straight: The straight length on the far side of the track from the stands.

Backward: A young, sick, or physically weak horse.

Bad actor: An unruly, uncontrollable horse.

Bad doer: A horse that doesn’t eat all its food.

Bald or Bald Face: White face of horse, including eyes, nostrils or part of the latter.

Bandage: Wraps (cloth strips) used for support or protection against injury to the horse's legs below the knee.

Banker: The bet that is most expected to win in a parlay or accumulator bet.

Bar Price: The minimum odds for any horse that was not quoted before the race.

Barrier: A “tape” or elastic band stretched across the racetrack that retracts when the race begins.

Barrier Draw: The vote to decide the stalls each horse will run from.

Bar Shoe: A horseshoe with the added protection of a bar in the rear.

Bat: A jockey's whip, or stick.

Beard: A person that makes bets for a top handicapper or well-known figure, to avoid attention.

Bearing In and Out (or Bore In or Out): When a horse runs wide on the turns its known as bearing out, when it runs closer to the rail its called bearing in. This can be a good indication that the horse is fatigued or sick.

Bell Lap: The last lap of a harness race, when the bell rings.

Betting Board: The board that displays all of the horses names’ and their odds.

Betting Ring: The betting area of the racetrack.

Bettor, Player: Someone who places or has a bet. Also called a “punter”.

Beyer Number: Andrew Beyer’s numerical handicapping tool that allows different horses running at different racetracks to be objectively compared.

Bismarck: A highly ranked horse that is not expected to win.

Black-type: The boldface type that winning horses are listed in.

Blanket Finish: A race that ends with the horses so close together that they could be covered by a single blanket.

Blind Bet: A diversion bet made to avoid decreasing the odds on the main horse.

Blinkers: A device placed on the sides of a horse's head to limit his vision to prevent it from swerving.
Board: The odds board.
Bolt: When a horse suddenly swerves.

Bomb or Bomber: A horse that brings in a lot of money for players by winning with very high odds.

Book: “Making book” is quoting odds and accepting bets on an event, done by a bookmaker.

Bookmaker: Someone who establishes the betting odds and takes bets in horse racing.

Bottle: 2 to 1 odds.

Box: A combination bet that covers all possible number combinations.

Boxed In (or Blind Switch): When a horse is trapped between other horses and can’t get ahead.

Bobble: A bad first step away from the starting gate, usually caused by the track breaking away from under a horse's hoof and causing him to duck his head or nearly go to his knees.

Breakage: Pennies left over in payoffs that are rounded off. This money is usually split between the track and the state.

Breakdown: A serious, potentially life-threatening injury for a horse.

Break Maiden: The first winning race in a horse or rider’s career. A broken maiden is the horse itself, after winning.

Breeders' Cup: This year-end championship, known as Breeders' Cup Day, was started in 1984. Eight races are conducted on one day, with millions of dollars in awards and purses.

Breeze: Riding a horse at medium pace.
Breather: Restraining or easing off on a horse for a short distance in a race to permit him to conserve or renew his strength.

Bridge-Jumper: A player who makes large bets to show on horses that are favored to win.

Buck: $100.

Bug (or Bug Boy): Apprentice rider.

Bull Ring: A smaller than average racetrack, less than a mile in diameter.

Bullet (or Bulletwork): The best time of the day on the track.

Buy the Rack: To bet every daily-double or other combination available.

C

C-note: $100.

Calk: Projection bottom of shoe to give horse greater traction, especially on a wet track.

Call: The position of horses at various points in a race. Announced over the loudspeakers by the Caller.

Canadian (Super Yankee): 26 bets with 5 selections in different events. A Canadian consists of 10 doubles, 10 triples, five 4-folds, and one 5-fold.

Card: The list of horses involved in a race.

Carpet: 3 to 1 odds.

Caulk: Cleats for a horse when running in slippery conditions.

Chalk: The odds-on favorite in a race. A Chalker or Chalk Player bets on favorites.

Check: To pull up on a horse suddenly to correct its course.

Chute: A longer stretch of straight track at the beginning or end.

Claiming: A licensed individual may claim a horse entered in a designated race for a predetermined price. The new owner acquires the title after the starting gate opens, but the former owner is entitled to all purse money earned in that race.

Claiming Box: Box where paper claims are dropped before a race.

Claiming Race: A race in which each has a set price.

Close (or Starting Price): The final odds on a horse for a race.

Closer: A horse that runs strong at the end of a race.

Clubhouse Turn: The turn closest to the clubhouse.

Colors: The silks, jacket and cap of a jockey.

Colt: A male horse younger than five-years-old.

Company: The class of horses in a race.

Combination Bet: Betting on several horses to finish first and/or second.

Conditional Jockey: An apprentice jockey that’s allowed to jump.

Correct Weight: Handicaps are checked before and after a race to make sure that horses are carrying the correct weight.

Condition Race: A race that has special conditions, such as what specific kind of horse can run.

Conformation: The way a horse is built physically.

Contract rider: A jockey that rides for a particular stable.

Cooling Out: Walking or resting a horse after a race or workout.

Coupled: When horses are teamed up (two or more) for one bet.

Cribber (also Wind Sucker): A horse who bites down and sucks air into its stomach.

Cup: The trophy given to the winning horse’s owners, or a long race of a mile and a half or more.

Cuppy: A racing surface that is loose and breaks away under a horse's hooves.

Cushion: Track surface.

D

Daily Double (also see Late Double): A bet in which a player selects the winners of the first 2 races of the day.

Daily Racing Form: Often referred to as the horse racing bible, this is a newspaper, printed every day, that details racing news, race data, and handicapping information.

Daily Triple: A bet in which a player selects the winners of the first 3 races of the day.

Dark Day: A day with no horse racing.

Dark Horse: An unknown horse with an unknown chance of winning.

Dead Heat: When two or more horses finish a race in a tie.

Dead Track: A racetrack that is unstable or in disrepair.

Declaration Of Weights: The amount of weight each horse carries, as determined by a handicapper.

Declared: A horse that is taken out of a stakes race before the opening bell.

Deductions: When a horse is taken out of a race and the odds are rearranged, deductions are made for the equalization of the odds on all horses across the board.

Derby: Like the Kentucky Derby—a race only for 3 year-old horses.

Dime: $100.

Distance: The length of a race, or how much the front horse is leading by.

Distanced: A horse that has lost by a good amount of distance.

Dividend: The return on every $1 bet on a given horse.

Dog: Underdog. Also, a wooden barrier or rubber cones that prevent horses from walking around on muddy or unstable areas of the track.

Dog Player: A better who favors underdogs.

Dosage Index or Diagram: A mathematical analysis of a horse's class, such as brilliant, intermediate, classic, solid, professional, which reflects a horse's potential for speed or stamina.

Draw: Where a horse ends up in the starting stall.

Drift (also Ease): When the odds change during or before a race.

Driving: A rider urging the horse to go faster.

E

Each Way: Betting on the same horse to win and place.

Eclipse Award: Awards honoring the top horses in 11 categories.

Enclosure: Area where the horses are presented before and after the race.

Equibase: An industry-owned, central database of racing records. Equibase information is used by racetracks across North America.

Evenly: Running at the same position and distance for an entire race.

Even Money: A one-to-one bet.

Exacta: (also, Perfecta or Forecast) A bet on the winner and place horses of a race, in the correct order.

Exacta Box (also, Quinella): A bet covering the winner and place horses in a race, not in order.

Exotic: A bet other than win, place, or show.

Exposure: How much money a better has on a race or number of races.

Extended: When a horse is running at top speed at the urgence of the jockey.

F

False Favorite: A horse that is favored to win by handicappers even though it isn’t necessarily the best horse.

Faltered: When a horse who is favored to do well ends up losing ground during the actual race.

Fast Track: A dirt race track that is in good condition.

Favorite: The horse with the lowest odds in a race.

Fence (Inside and Outside): The inside and outside rails around the race track.

Field: The horses in any given race. These may be separated from the “favorite” in a racing form.

Field Horse: Two or more horses as a single betting unit.

Filly: A 4 year-old or younger female horse.

Firm Track: A firm race track that is in good condition.

Fixed Odds: The odds at the time of a placed bet.

Flag: Flag that is dropped at the start of a race.

Flash: When the odds change on the big board.

Flat race: A level-ground race, as opposed to a steeplechase.

Flatten Out: When a horse is exhausted, dropping his head in line with his body.

Float: Filing down the sharp points on a horse’s teeth.

Floating: A flat raft dragged over track to help drain water away from the surface.

Foal: A baby horse, under a year old.

Form: Previous performance data and comments on a horse.

Fresh: A rested horse.

Front-runner: A horse who typically jumps to the front of the pack and tries to stay there.

Full Cover: All the doubles, trebles and accumulators involved in a given number of selections.

Furlong: 1/8 of a mile.

G

Gait: The manner in that a horse moves its legs when running. A Pacer runs with a lateral gait, and a Trotter has a diagonal gait.

Gate (also Stall): Where horses start the race from.

Gelding: A castrated male horse.

Gentleman Jockey: Amateur.

Going: The condition of the racecourse, such as: heavy: soft: good to soft: good: good to firm: firm.

Good Track: A track that is somewhat wet, but not slow.

Graded Race: Certain stakes races in North America.

Graduate: A horse that wins for the first time.

Grand: $1,000.

Green: Lacking experience.

Group Race: An elite class of races.

H

Hand: Measure of a horses head equaling four inches. Thoroughbreds’ heads are usually 15 to 17 hands.

Handicap: A race in which the horses carry weights, so that all horses run on a fair and equal basis. Also, to make selections on the basis of past performances.

Handicapper: The race track official who determines the weights to be carried by horses and the grade or class of horses.

Hand Ride: When the jockey uses his hands while riding instead of a whip.

Hard Track: When there is no “give” on a turf track.

Head: The length of a horses head. Often a horse beats another in a race by a “head”.

Head Of The Stretch: The beginning of the straightaway to the finish line.

Heavy Track: Wettest possible condition of a turf course—even worse than muddy.

Hedge: Making a safe bet to cover a somewhat riskier bet, in order to cut possible losses.

Home Turn: The final turn before the head of the stretch.

Horse: An ungelded male older than five years.

Hung: When a horse can’t catch up to the leader.

I

Impost: Weight.

In Hand: A horse running at a moderate pace.

Inquiry (also Objection): A review of a race for any infractions.

In The Money: A horse that finishes in a paying spot such as win, place, or show.

J

Jockey Fee: Fee paid to the jockey.

Jog: When a horse runs slowly and easily.

Joint Favorites: When there is more than one favorite for a race.

Judge: Person who determines the winning horses.

Juice (also Vig): The commission or percentage on bets collected by the house.

Jumper: A horse that jumps in steeplechase or hurdle races.

Juvenile: 2 year-old horse.

K

Kite: Check or money order.

L

Late Double: Another daily double, later in the day.

Leaky Roof Circuit: Minor race tracks.

Leg Up: Strengthening a horses legs through exercise.

Length: A horse-length, about 8 feet.

Lengthen: Improved odds.

Listed Race: A type of stakes race.

Lock: A sure thing.

Long Odds: Longshot. Odds that are greater than 10 to 1.

Longshot: A horse with long odds that is thought to have little chance of winning.

Lugging In or Out- The movement of a tired horse.

M

Maiden: A female horse that has never been bred, or a horse that has never won a race.

Maiden Race: A race for horses that have never won a race.

Mare: Female horse 5 years or older, or any female that has been bred.

Market: The names and odds for all horses in a race.

Meeting: The collection of races on a given day.

Middle Distance: About a mile.

Mile Rate: The miles per hour a horse is running at.

Minus Pool: A mutual pool that has negative results because of heavy action. The racetrack will make up the difference.

Money Rider: A jockey who does well in high-profile races.

Morning Glory: A horse that does well in the morning workout but then loses the race in the evening.

Morning Line: Tentative pre-race odds.

Mudder (also Mudlark): A horse that enjoys running in the “slop” of muddy tracks.

Muddy Track: A wet, sticky track.

Mutuel/Parimutuel Pool: The sum of bets in a particular category, such as win, place, or show bets.

Muzzle: The nose and lips of a horse, or something put over that area.

N

Nap (Napolean): The favorite horse for the day.

National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA): Group created in 1997 to support Thoroughbred racing.

Near side: The right side of the horse.

Neck: The length of a horse’s neck.

Nickel (also Monkey): $500.

Nod: When a horse lowers its head to get extension near the finish line.

Nominations: All horses of an owner or trainer for a race.

Non Runner: A horse that has been withdrawn from a race.

Nose: The shortest margin a horse can win by.

Novice: A horse or jockey at the beginning of a career.

O

Oaks: A race for 3 year-old fillies.

Objection: An inquiry called by a jockey.

Odds: The chance of a horse winning a race. Also, the amount of money per dollar that a better can make if the horse wins.

Oddsmaker: A person who sets the betting odds.

Odds Man: A race track employee who keeps track of the odds as they change, in lieu of a computer.

Odds-On: A bet in which the outlay is more than the dividend.

Off Side: The right side of the horse.

Off the Board: A horse that has more than 99 to 1 odds.

Off-Track Betting (OTB): A legalized betting outlet that is located away fro the race track.

On the Bit: A horse that is eager to race.

On the Board: Winning, placing, or showing.

On the Nose: Making a straight bet on a horse to win.

On Tilt: Betting wildly.

Open Ditch: In a steeplechase race, a jump with a ditch.

Outlay: How much money a better puts up in a bet.

Out Of The Money: Finishing anywhere other than winning, placing, or showing.

Outsider: A dark horse, longshot.

Overlay: the margin of odds higher than what a horse’s past performance seems to warrant.

Overnight Race: A race in which horses are officially entered within hours of start time.

Over The Top: A horse’s seasonal peak.

Overweight: Additional weight given to a horse when the jockey is too light.

P

Pacesetter: The lead horse.

Paddock: Place where horses are groomed and saddled.

Panel: A furlong.

Parimutuel(s): Originally “Paris Mutuals”, this is a form of betting in which all of the bets for “wins”, “shows”, or other groups are put into a pool and split up among the winners.

Parlay (also, Accumulator): A bet in which a better lets the original outlay ride on several races, so that the winnings increase exponentially, with the end result being “all or nothing”.

Past Performance: Data usually listed in the Daily Racing form for each horse.

Pasteboard Track: A very fast track.

Penalty: An extra weight on a horse.

Photo Finish: If the race is too close to call, judges will look at the photo taken automatically at the finish of every race.

Picks: Favorite bets.

Pick Six: Betting on the winners of every race of the day.

Pitch: The area where the bookmaker works.

Place: Finishing in the top two: winning or placing.

Platter: A horse that runs in claim races.

Point Spread: (also, Line or Handicap) The discrepancy between the odds of the favorite and other horses.

Poles: Markers that indicate the distance to the finish line.

Pony: $25.

Pool: A pari-mutuel pool, the sum of bets on a race.

Post: Where the race starts.

Post Position: The stall from which a horse starts running.

Post Time: When the race begins.

Price: Odds.

Prop: When a horse stops short by “braking” it’s front legs.

Protest: An objection, usually made because of interference by another jockey.

Punt: A bet.

Punter: Bettor.

Pull Up: Slowing a horse to a stop.

Purse: Prize money.

Q

Quarter: One-quarter of a mile; 440 yards; 1,320 feet.

Quarter horse: A horse that is bred to be fast at running a quarter-mile.

Quadrella: Betting on the winner of 4 specific races.

R

Rabbit: A horse that runs fast out of the gate but has little chance of winning. Usually part of a set, a rabbit is used to tire out other horses and allow another horse in the set to win.

Race Caller: Voice on the loudspeaker announcing the race.

Racecard: The race program for the day.

Racing Plate: A very light horseshoe with cleats, for racing.

Rag: Long shot, dark horse.

Rail Runner: A horse that runs next to the inside rail.

Rank: A wild, fractious horse.

Refuse: When a horse won’t run or jump.

Reserved: When a horse is held back during a race by the jockey.

Restricted Races: Races for a certain kind of horse.

Return: The payback on a bet.

Ridden Out: When a horse wins a race without being whipped.

Ridgling: A partially castrated horse.

Romp: An easy win.

Route: A race longer than a mile.

Router: A horse that runs routes well.

Run Free: When a horse is running wildly, too fast.

Runner: A horse in a race.

Run-Out Bit: A special bit that helps a horse stop bearing in or out.

S

Savage: A biting horse.

Scale Of Weights: The weights carried by horses in a race.

Scalper: Someone who tries to use differences in odds to make a profit, placing several bets to hedge one another.

Schooled: A trained, jumper horse.

Scope: A horse’s potential ability.

Score: $20.

Scratch: When a horse is withdrawn from a race.

Scratch Sheet: A publication like the Daily Racing Form.

Second Call: A jockey’s understudy.

Selections: The horses a bettor bets on.

Selling Race: A claim race.

Set: A group of horses that race with a common goal.

Shadow Roll: A form of blinders, usually made of wool, that prevents the horse from seeing its own shadow and getting spooked.

Shed Row: Stables.

Shortening: When the odds are made worse by heavy betting action.

Short Runner: A horse who loses ground as the race progresses.

Short Price: Low odds.

Show: To come in third.

Show Bet: Betting on a horse to come in third.

Shut Out: Getting in line late and not having time to place a bet.

Shut Off: When a horse is trapped and can’t gain position.

Silks: The colored jacket and cap a jockey wears.

Simulcast: Live TV broadcast in real time.

Sire: The father of a horse, and the act of becoming the father of a horse.

Six-Dollar Combine: Betting across the board on every race.

Sleeper: A longshot that ends up winning.

Sloppy Track: A muddy track with standing water.

Slow Track: A wet track.

Snug: Restraint from the jockey.

Soft Track- Track that horses hooves sink into.

Spell: Rest time.

Spit the Bit: When a horse stops gripping the bit tightly because of fatigue.

Sportsbook: A place or person that accepts bets.

Spot Play: Betting on favored horses rather than longshots.

Sprint: A race that is less than a mile.

Stakes Horse: A horse that runs mainly in major stakes events.

Stakes Race: An invitation-only or fee-based race for owners.

Stallion: Stud horse.

Standing Start: When horses start from a standing position.

Starting Gate: Doors that release at the beginning of a race.

Starting Price: An estimate of the odds at the beginning of a race.

Stayer (Also, Slayer): A long-distance runner.

Steam: When betting picks up on a horse.

Steeplechase: A hurdle race in which horses must jump.

Stewards: Referees, officials.

Stewards Enquiry: An inquiry or objection proceeding.

Stick: The jockey’s whip.

Stickers: Cleats on a horseshoe.

Stipes: Stewards.

Stooper: Someone who searches for dropped tickets in the hopes of finding winners.

Store: A place or person that takes bets.

Straight: Betting to win only.

Straight Forecast: Exacta bet.

Strapper (also, Attendant): A trainer’s assistant.

Stretch (also, Home Stretch): Final straightaway to the finish line.

Stretch Runner: A horse that does best in the home stretch.

Stud: A retired horse used for breeding.

Sulky: A harness racing vehicle, like a chariot.

Sure Thing: A horse that is certain to win.

System: Betting method.

T

Tack: A jockey’s gear.

Take: The amount of money taken for the race track and owners.

Taken Up: When a horse is crowded by others, a jockey pulls up on the reins to get some room.

Tattoo: Letters and numbers tattooed on a Thoroughbred’s upper lip.

The Jockey Club: The Thoroughbred breeding and racing organization.

Thoroughbred: A horse that is registered in 'The American Stud Book' or in a foreign stud book recognized by The Jockey Club and the International Stud Book Committee.

Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA): A group formed by most of the racetracks in North America.

Ticket: The receipt from a bet.

Tic-Tac: Sign language between bookmakers at the racetrack.

Tight: Ready to race.

Tipster: Someone who provides tips on horses they think will win.
Tongue Strap: Tie for a horse to prevent choking.
Top Line: A Thoroughbred's paternal ancestry.
Topweight: The heaviest weight in a race, carried by the horse with the biggest advantage.
Totalisator: Machine that computes odds and prints tickets.

Tout: Person who sells tips.

Track Record: Fastest time for a distance at a particular track.

Trail (also, Sit): Running directly behind another horse.

Trainer: A licensed person that trains a horse.

Treble: A 3-part bet.

Trifecta: A bet picking the win, place, and show horses in order.

Trifecta Box: A bet picking the win, place, and show horses in or out of order.

Triple Crown: In the United States, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. In England the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and St. Leger Stakes. In Canada, the Queen's Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes and Breeders' Stakes.

Trotting: Harness racing, or the gait of a Trotter.

Turf: Grass.

Turf Accountant: Bookmaker.

Turn down: A cleat on the bottom of a horseshoe.

Twitch: A device placed around a horse's nose and upper lip. The device is twisted to cause pain when the horse misbehaves.

U

Unbackable: A horse with odds that aren’t worth winning.

Underlay: A horse racing at worse odds than it should be, based on past performance.

Under Starters Orders (or Under Orders): Start of a race.

Under Wraps: A horse that is restrained to prevent injury.

V

Value: Good odds.

Valet: A jockey’s assistant.

W

Wager: Bet.

Walk Hots: To cool a horse down by walking it around.

Walkover: A one-horse race.

Washed Out (also, Lathered Up, Washy): A horse that sweats profusely out of anxiety.

Weanling: A foal that has been separated from its mother.

Weaving: Moving back and forth.

Weigh-In and -Out: The jockey’s weight before and after a race.

Wheeling (also, Baseball or Locking): When placing a daily double bet, choosing one horse in the first race and every horse in the second.

Whip: Leather stick the jockey uses to hit the horse in order to gain speed.

Win: First place.

Winning Post (also, Post): The finish line.

Wire: Finish line.

Withdrawn (also, Scratched): A horse that does not end up racing.

Withers: The top of a horse’s shoulders.

Wobbler: A horse, usually 2 or 3 years old, that has a neurological condition due to compression of the spinal cord.

Y

Yearling: A horse between the ages of one and 2.

Yielding: When turf is soft and horses sink into it.