Racebook Glossary

A

Abandoned

A race meeting that has been canceled because a club did not receive sufficient nominations to be able to stage it, or, due to bad weather that made racing on the track unsafe

All Age Race

A race for two-year-olds and up

Acceptor

A runner officially listed to start in a race

Accumulator

Also known as a Parlay, is a multiple bet that involves making concurrent selections on two or more races with the intent of passing the winnings of the first win on the bet for the following race selected, and so on. All the selections must win in order to win the accumulator.

Across The Board

A bet on a horse to win, place and show. If the horse wins, the player collects three ways; if second, two ways; and if third, one-way, losing the win and place bets

Age

All thoroughbreds count January 1 as their birth date

All Age Race

A race for two-year-olds and up

All Out

A horse who is trying to the best of his ability

Allowance Race

A race other than claiming for which the racing secretary drafts certain conditions to determine weights

Allowances

Weight permitted to be reduced because of the conditions of the race or because an apprentice is on a horse. Allowances also occur when a female horse is racing against males, or three-year-olds racing against older horses

All Weather Racing

Racing that takes place on an artificial surface

Also Ran

Any horse racing that did not finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in a race or event

Amateur

(rider) on racecards, their names are prefixed by Mr., Mrs., Captain, etc, to indicate their amateur status

Apprentice

A trainee jockey. An apprentice will usually ride only flat races

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.

Approximates

The approximate price a horse is quoted at before a race begins. Bookmakers use these approximates as a guide to set their boards

Arbitrage

Where a variation in odds available allows a punter to back both sides and guarantee a win

ART

Artificial Turf

ATS

Against The Spread

AWT

All weather track

B

Baby Race

A race for two-year-olds

Back

To bet or wager on a horse

Backed

A 'backed' horse is one that has a lot of bets placed on it

Backed In

A horse that is backed-in means that bettors have outlaid a lot of money on that horse, with the result being a decrease in the odds offered

Back Marker

In a standing start event, which is handicapped, the horse that is given the biggest handicap is known as the back marker

Bar Stretch

The straight away on the far side of the track

Back Straigt

Also known as a Tape is a starting device used in steeple chasing consisting of an elastic band stretched across the racetrack, which retracts when released

Backward

TA horse that is either too young or not fully fit

Banker

Also known as the Key is the horse highly expected to win. The strongest horse in a multiple selection bet – a parlay or accumulator. In variation bets, the banker is a selection that must win to guarantee any returns

Bar Price

Refers to the odds of those runners in a race not quoted with a price during early betting shows. The bar price is the minimum odds for any of those selections not quoted

Barrier

Also known as a Tape is a starting device used in steeple chasing consisting of an elastic band stretched across the racetrack, which retracts when released

Barrier Draw

The ballot held by the race club to decide which starting stall each runner will occupy

Bat

That can also be referred to as the Stick is a jockey's whip

Bearing In/Out

Failing to maintain a straight course; veering to the left or right. Can be caused by injury, fatigue, outside distraction, or poor riding

Bell Lap

In harness racing, the last lap of a race, indicated by the ringing of the bell

Bet

A wager normally involving the exchange of monies

Betting Board

A board used by the bookmaker to display the odds of the horses engaged in a race

Betting Ring

The main area at a racecourse where the bookmakers operate

Bettor

Is a person who places or has a bet

Beyer Number

A handicapping tool, popularized by author Andrew Beyer, assigning a numerical value to each race run by a horse based on final time and track condition. This enables different horses running at different racetracks to be objectively compared

Bismarck

A favorite horse that the bookmakers do not expect to win

Blanket Finish

When the horses finish so close to the winning line you could theoretically put a single blanket across them making it hard to determine the order of finish

Blind Bet

A bet made by a racetrack bookmaker on another horse to divert other bookmakers' attention away from his sizeable betting on his/her main horse thus to avoid a shortening of the odds on the main horse

Blinkers

A cup-shaped device applied over the sides of the horse's head, near his eyes, in order to limit his vision. This prevents the horse from swerving away from distracting objects or other horses on either side of him. Blinker cups come in a variety of sizes and shapes to allow as little, or as much, vision as the trainer feels is appropriate

Board

Short for 'Tote Board' on which odds, betting pools and other race information are displayed

Bomber

A winning horse sent off at very high odds

Box

A wagering term denoting a combination bet whereby all possible numeric combinations are covered

Boxed (In)

To be trapped between other horses

Bobble

A bad step away from the starting gate, sometimes caused by the ground breaking away from under a horse and causing him to duck his head or go to his knees

Bolt

When a horse suddenly veers from a straight course

Breeders' Cup

Is the Thoroughbred racing's year-end championship that was first run in 1984. Breeders' Cup Day consists of eight races that are conducted on one day but at a different racetrack each year with purses and awards totaling of $13 million

Bridge Jumper

Bettor who makes large show bets on short-priced favorites

Brood Mare

Is a female thoroughbred used for breeding

Bug Boy

An apprentice rider

Bull Ring

Small racetrack less than one mile around

C

Caulk

Projection on the bottom of a shoe to give the horse better traction, especially on a wet track

Chalk

Is the betting favorite in a race. This term dates back to the days when on-track bookmakers would write current odds on a chalkboard

Chalk Player

Is a bettor who places bets on favorites

Checked

A horse pulled up by his jockey for a moment because he is in tight quarters or cut off

Chute

An extension of the backstretch or homestretch to permit for a longer straight run

Closer

A horse that runs best in the latter part of the race (closing race), coming from off the pace

Co-Favorites

Where three or more competitors share the position of favorite

Colors

The Racing silks - the jacket and cap - worn by jockeys. These silks can be generic and provided by the track or explicit to one owner

Colt

A male horse four-years-old or younger

Combination Bet

A multiple bet - selecting more than one horse to finish first and second in either order

Correct Weight

Horses are allocated a weight to carry that is checked before and, for at least the place getters, after a race. Correct weight must be indicated before bets can be paid out

Cup

The Trophy awarded to owners of winners, as well as term that refers to the distance race of a mile and a half or more

Cup Horse

One qualified to engage in distance races

Cushion

The surface of track or a layer of the track

D

Daily Double

Type of wager that involves the selection of winners of two consecutive races, usually the first and second

Daily Racing

Form A daily newspaper containing racing information including news, past performance data and handicapping

Dead Heat

When two or more horses finish equally - a tie - in a race

Dead Track

Racing surface lacking resiliency

Declaration of Weights

The publication of weights billed to each horse designated for a race by the handicapper

Declared

In the United States, this term refers to a horse withdrawn from a stakes race in advance of scratch time. Where as in Europe this term refers to a horse confirmed to start in a race

Deductions

When a horse is scratched from a race after betting on that race has already started, deductions are taken out of the win and place bets at a rate in proportion to the odds of the scratched horse

Derby

A stakes event for three-year-olds

Distance

The length of a race – the minimum of which is 5 furlongs and the longest is the 4 1/2 miles of the Grand National. In addition, the margin by which a horse wins or is beaten by the horse in front is also considered the distance. This ranges from a 'short head' to 'by a distance' (more than 30 lengths); a 'length' is measured from the horse's nose to the start of its tail

Distanced

Well beaten, finishing a long distance behind the winner

Dividend

The amount that a winning or placed horse returns for every $1 bet by the bettor

Drift

Also, known as Ease are odds that 'Lengthen', or are said to have drifted, or be 'On The Drift'

Driving

Is the strong urging by the rider

E

Eased

Chart caller's assessment of a horse that is being deliberately slowed by the jockey to prevent injury or harm to the horse

Easily

Referred to when a horse runs or wins without being pressed by rider or opposition

Eclipse Award

Thoroughbred racing's year-end awards, honoring the top horses in 11 separate categories

Eighth

A furlong; 220 yards; 660 feet

Eligible

Qualified to start in a race, according to conditions

Enclosure

The area where the Runners gather for viewing before and after the race

Entry

Two or more horses owned by the same stable or even in some cases that are trained by the same trainer and thus running as a single betting unit

Engagement

Stake nomination or riding commitment

Equipment

Whip, blinkers and so forth. The gear carried by a horse in a race

Equivalent Odds

Mutuel price horses would pay for each $1 bet

Evenly

Neither gaining nor losing position or distance during a race

Even Money Bet

1:1 bet. A $10 wager wins $10

Exacta

A wager that picks the first two finishers in a race in the exact order of finish

Exacta Box

A wager in which all possible combinations using a given number of horses are covered

Exotic Bet/Wager

Is any wager other than win, place or show

Exposure

The amount of money one actually stands to lose on a game or race

Extended

When a horse is forced to run at top speed

F

False Favorite

A horse that is a race favorite despite being outclassed by others

Faltered

A horse that was in contention early in the race but drops back in the late stages

Fast Track

WOptimum condition for a dirt track that is dry, even, resilient and fast

Favorite

The most popular horse in a race, which is quoted at the lowest odds because it is deemed to have the best chance of winning the race

Feature Races

Top races

Fence

The running rail of a racetrack. The inside fence is the inside running rail around the race track, while the outside fence is the outside running rail

Field

All the horses running in a race

Filly

Is a female horse four-years-old or younger

Firm Track

The state of a turf course - a firm, resilient surface

First Up

The first run a horse has in a new campaign or preparation

Fixed Odds

What you won or lost last week or the amount in you account; or, an amount owed to or by a bookmaker.

Flat Race

Contested on level ground as opposed to a steeplechase

Flatten Out

When a horse drops his head almost in a straight line to its body, by and large from exhaustion

Foal

A baby horse, either a male or female, is considered a foal from birth to January 1st of the following year. All racehorses are given the nominal birthday of January 1st. Thus, a two-year-old born in June and one born in January of the same year are considered to be of the same age for the purposes of satisfying the conditions of some races re: weight carried. In reality, the January horse may be considered to have a significant advantage in terms of physical development at this early stage in its career

Form

The statistics of prior performances and comments as to the expected current performance of a runner, useful in deciding which runner to bet on

Form Player

A bettor who makes selections from past-performance records

Front Runner

A horse whose running style is to attempt to get on or near the lead at the start of the race and stay there as long as possible

Frozen Track

A frozen racetrack

Furlong

One-eighth of a mile or 220 yards or 660 feet (approx. 200 meters)

Futures

Bets placed well in advance of predicting the outcome of a future event

G

Gait

The manner in which a horse moves its legs when it runs. There are two distinctions -pacers or trotters. The pacer is a horse with a lateral gait, whereas a trotter or square-gaiter has a diagonal gait

Gate

Another term for barrier, or position a horse will start from

Gelding

A male horse that has been castrated

Get On

Have your bet accepted

Going

The condition of the racecourse (firm, heavy, soft, etc.)

Good Track

Condition between fast and slow, generally a bit wet. A dirt track that is almost fast or a turf course slightly softer than firm

Graded Race

Established in 1973 to classify select stakes races in North America, at the request of European racing authorities, who had set up group races two years earlier. Always denoted with Roman numerals I, II, or III. Capitalized when used in race title (the Grade I Kentucky Derby)

Graduate

A horse or rider winning for the first time

Green

An inexperienced horse

Group Race

The European equivalent to the Graded Race - an elite group of races. The Group Race was established in 1971 by racing organizations in Britain, France, Germany and Italy to classify select stakes races outside North America. Collectively they are known as 'Pattern Races'. They are always denoted with Arabic numerals 1, 2, or 3, and capitalized when used in race title (the Group 1 Epsom Derby)

H

Hand

A measuring unit that is four inches. A horse's height is measured in hands and inches from the top of the shoulder (withers) to the ground, e.g., 16.3 hands is 16 hands, 3 inches. Thoroughbreds typically range from 15 to 17 hands

Handicap

Race for which the track handicapper assigns the weights to be carried. Each horse is allocated a different weight to carry, the theory being all horses then run on a fair and equal basis. Handicap is also used in reference to selecting on the basis of past performances

Handicapper

The official who decides the weights to be carried in handicap events, and the grading of horses and greyhounds

Hand Ride

The jockey urges a horse with his hands and arms and not the whip

Hard Track

A condition of a turf course where there is no resiliency to the surface

Head

The margin between horses when a horse leads another by the length of its head

Head Of The Stretch

The beginning of the straight run to the finish line

Heavy

The wettest possible condition of a turf course, similar to muddy but even slower

Hedge

The covering of a bet with a second bet

High Weight

Highest weight assigned or carried in a race, no less than 140 pounds

Home Turn

The final turn a horse must travel around before entering the home straight in the run to the finish line

Horse

A broad reference, a 'horse' is an ungelded male five-years-old or older

Hung

A horse holding the same position but unable to make up distance on the winner

I

Impost

Weight carried or assigned

In Foal

A pregnant mare

In Hand

Running under moderate control, at less than best pace

Inquiry

A Review into the race in order to check into possible infractions of the rules

Irons

The stirrups

In The Money

A term that describes the horses in a race that finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd (and sometimes 4th) or the horses on which money will be paid to bettors, depending on the place terms

In The Red

Are odds shown in red on the betting boards because they are Odds-On bets

J

Jock

Jockey

Jog

Slow, easy gait, trot

Jolly

The favorite in a race. The horse with the shortest odds

Juice

The bookmaker's commission, also known as vigorish or vig

Jumper

Steeplechase or hurdle horse

Juvenile

Two-year-old horse

K

Key Horse

The main expected winning horse used in multiple combinations in an exotic wager

L

Late Double

A second daily double offered during the latter part of the program. See 'Daily Double' above

Lay

Take a bet on, like a Bookmaker

Length

A measurement approximating the length of a horse from nose to tail, about 8 feet. As well, it is used to denote the distance between horses in a race.

Lengthen

The opposite of 'Shorten'. Referred to odds getting longer, that is, more attractive to the bettor

Listed Race

A stakes race just below a group race or graded race in quality

Lock

Slang term used to refer to an almost certain winner. Easy winner

Long

Odds More than 10:1

Longshot

A long shot is a horse/runner with high odds and is therefore deemed to have little chance of winning the race

Lug In/Out

The action of a tiring horse when it bears in or out, failing to keep a straight course

M

Maiden

Can be a horse or rider that has not won a race or a female that has never been bred

Maiden Race

A race for non-winners

Mare

Female horse five-years-old or older

Market

The list of all horses engaged in a race and their respective odds

Meeting

A collection of races conducted by a club on the same day or night forms a race meeting

Middle

Distance broadly, from one mile to 1-1/8 miles

Minus Pool

A mutuel pool caused when a horse is so heavily played that, after deductions of state tax and commission, there is not enough money left to pay the legally prescribed minimum on each winning bet. The racing association usually makes up the difference

Morning Glory

Horse who performs well in morning workouts but fails to fire in actual races

Morning Line

Approximate odds quoted before wagering begins

Muudy

A horse that races well on muddy tracks. Also known as a 'Mudlark'

Muudy Track

A condition of a racetrack that is wet but has no standing water

Mutuel Pool

Short for 'Parimutuel Pool' is the sum of the wagers on a race or event, such as the win pool, daily double pool, exacta pool, etc

N

Nap

Reputed to stand for 'Napoleon' the nap is the selection that racing correspondents and tipsters nominate as their strongest selection of the day or meeting.

National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA)

A non-profit, membership organization created in 1997 to improve economic conditions and public interest in Thoroughbred racing

Neck

Unit of measurement about the length of a horse's neck

Nod

The action of lowering of the head. To win by a nod, a horse extends its head with its nose touching the finish line ahead of a close competitor

Nominations

The complete list of runners entered by owners and trainers for a race

Nose

The smallest advantage by which a horse can win by

O

Oaks

A recognized stakes event for three-year-old fillies (females)

Objection

An assertion of a foul lodged by rider, judge, owner, or other official after the running of a race. When it is lodged by an official, it is called an inquiry

Odds

The sportsbook's or bookmaker's view of the chance of a competitor winning (adjusted to include a profit)

Odds Against

Where the odds are greater than even, for example 5:2

Oddsmaker

A person who sets the betting odds. Most major sportsbooks use odds set by Las Vegas oddsmakers

Odds On

Odds of less than even money

Off The Board

A horse so lightly bet that its pari-mutuel odds exceed 99 to 1. Also, a game or event on which the bookie will not accept action

Off Track Betting

(OTB) Wagering at legalized betting outlets

On The Board

Finishing among the first three

On The Nose

Betting a horse to win only

On Tilt

Going 'on tilt' is losing the ability to rationalize bets and betting wildly on every race

Outlay

The money a bettor wagers is called his or her outlay

Out Of Money

A horse that finishes worse than third

Outsider

A horse that is not expected to win. An outsider is usually quoted at the highest odds

Overlay

A horse going off at higher odds than it appears to warrant based on its past performances

Overnight Race

WA race in which entries close an explicit number of hours before running, for example 48 hours, as opposed to a stakes race where nominations close weeks and sometimes months in advance

Over The Top

When a horse is considered to have reached its peak for that season

Overweight

This is the surplus weight carried by a horse when the rider cannot make the assigned weight

P

Pacesetter

The horse that is running in front or is at the lead

Paddock Area

Where horses are saddled and kept before post time

Panel

A slang term for a furlong

Point Spread

Also referred to as a line or handicap refers to the points allocated to the 'underdog' to level the odds with the favorite

Parimutuel(s)

A form of wagering originated in 1865 by Frenchman Pierre Oller in which all money bet is divided up among those who have winning tickets, after taxes, takeout and other deductions are made. Oller called his system 'Parier Mutuel' meaning 'Mutual Stake' or 'betting among ourselves'. As this wagering method was adopted in England, it became known as 'Paris Mutuals', and soon after 'Parimutuels'

Parlay

Also known as a Parlay is a multiple bet that involves making concurrent selections on two or more races with the intent of passing the winnings of the first win on the bet for the following race selected, and so on. All the selections must win in order to win the accumulator

Pasteboard Track

A lightning fast racing surface

Penalty

A weight added to the handicap weight of a horse

Photo Finish

When horses pass the winning line and the race is too close to be judged a photo is used to determine the order of finish

Picks

Betting selections, usually by an expert

Picks

Betting selections, usually by an expert

Place

Finish in the top two, top three, top four and sometimes top five in a competition or event. A Place bet will win if the selection you bet on is among those placed. Usually, a horse runs a place if it finishes in the first three in fields of eight or more horses. If there are only six or seven runners, the horse must finish first or second to place.

Plater

A horse that usually runs in selling races

Point Spread

Also referred to as a line or handicap refers to the points allocated to the 'underdog' to level the odds with the favorite

Poles

Markers at measured distances around the track designating the distance from the finish. The quarter pole, for instance, is a quarter of a mile from the finish, not from the start

Pool

The Mutuel pool, the total sum bet on a race or a particular bet

Post

Is the starting point for a race; an abbreviated version of post position for example, "He drew post five" as well as, post is used as a verb, to record a win, for example, "He's posted 10 wins in 14 starts"

Post Position

Position of stall in starting gate from which a horse starts

Post Time

Designated time for a race to start

Price

The odds

Protest

When a jockey, owner, trainer or steward alleges interference by one party against another during a race that may have affected the outcome of a race. If a protest is upheld by officials, the runner that caused the interference is placed directly after the horse interfered with. If a protest is dismissed by officials, the original result of the race stands

Punt

A European term for bet or wager

Punter

European term for bettor or investor

Pull Up

To stop or slow a horse during or after a race or workout

Q

Quarter

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

Quarter Horse

Breed of horse that is particularly fast for a quarter of a mile, from which its name is derived.

R

Race Caller

The person who describes the race at a racecourse

Racecard

A program for the day's racing

Rag

A rag or "The Rag" is the outsider in the field, usually offered at a favorable price in betting

Rail Runner

Horse that prefers to run next to the inside rail

Ratings

Handicappers may determine a set of ratings, taking a number of factors into account when preparing them that reflect, in their opinion, each runner's chance of winning a particular race

Return

The winnings you receive on a particular bet

Ringer

A horse, or greyhound, entered in a race under another's name usually a good runner replacing a poorer one

Roughie

A horse that is considered to have a 'rough' chance of winning a race

Route

Broadly, a race distance of longer than 1-1/8 miles

Router

A Horse that performs well at longer distances

Run Free

A horse going too fast

S

Scope

The potential in a horse

Scratch

To be taken out of a race before it starts. Trainers usually scratch horses due to adverse track conditions or a horse's adverse health. A veterinarian can scratch a horse at any time

Second Call

A jockeys' secondary mount in a race in the event his primary mount is scratched

Selections

The horses selected by a knowledgeable person to have the most likely chance of finishing in first, second and third place. This may also refer to a person's own selections the horses they have chosen to back

Selling Race

A race where the winner is sold by auction immediately afterwards

Shadow Roll

Typically, a lamb's wool roll half way up the horse's face to keep him from seeing his own shadow

Shorten

The Shortening of odds. When the odds of a horse decrease, usually because a lot of money has been wagered on that horse

Short Runner

A horse who barely stays, or doesn't stay, the full distance of a race

Short Price

Low odds, meaning a bettor will get little return for their initial outlay

Show

Third position at the finish

Show Bet

A wager on a horse to finish in the money; third or better

Shut Out

A term that refers to what happens to a bettor who gets on the betting line too late and is still waiting in line when the window closes. This term is also used in sports betting, when the losing team does not score

Single

A Straight bet on one selection to win one race or event, also known as a straight-up bet

Sire

Father of a horse

Sleeper

A sleeper is an underrated racehorse. A horse that unexpectedly wins a race having previously shown poor form is said to have been a Sleeper

Sloppy Track

A track that is wet on surface, with standing water visible, with firm bottom

Slow Track

A racing strip that is wet on both the surface and base. Between good and heavy

Smart Money

Insiders' bets or the insiders themselves

Soft Track

Condition of a turf course with a large amount of moisture. Horses sink very deeply into it

Spell

The resting period between preparations or racing

Sprint

Short race, less than one mile

Stake

The prize for the winning horses, paid to the owner which can be a trophy, prize money or both

Stakes

The sums of money deposited or guaranteed by the parties to a bet

Stakes Placed

Finished second or third in a stakes race

Stakes Horse

A horse whose level of competition includes mostly stakes races

Stallion

A male horse used for breeding

Starter

The person responsible for starting a race

Starting Gate

Partitioned mechanical device having stalls in which the horses are confined until the starter releases the doors in front to begin the race

Starting Price

An estimation of odds available when the race starts

Starting Stalls

Mechanical gates that ensure all horses start in unison

Stayer

Also, referred to as a Slayer is a horse that can race long distances

Steam

When a betting selection starts to move quite rapidly, usually caused by many bettors betting on it

Steeplechase

A race in which horses are required to jump over a series of obstacles on the course. Also known as a 'Chase'

Stick

Or a bat is a jockey's whip

Strapper

Also known as an attendant, is a person who assists the trainer, cares for the horse or helps to put on its equipment

Stretch

Or the home stretch is the final straight portion of the racetrack to the finish

Stretch Runner

A horse that runs its fastest nearing the finish of a race

Stretch Turn

The bend of track into homestretch

Stud

A male horse used for breeding or a breeding farm

Superfecta

A bet placed on four horses to cross the finish line in exact chosen order

Sure Thing

A horse which a bettor or handicapper believes is unbeatable in a race

T

Taken Up

A horse pulled up sharply by his rider because of being in close quarters

Thoroughbred

A Thoroughbred is a horse whose parentage traces back to any of the three 'Founding Sires' the Darley Arabian, Byerly Turk and Godolphin Barb, and who has satisfied the rules and requirements of The Jockey Club and is registered in 'The American Stud Book' or in a foreign stud book recognized by The Jockey Club and the International Stud Book Committee. Any other horse, no matter what its parentage, is not considered a Thoroughbred for racing and/or breeding purposes

Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA)

An industry group comprised of many of the racetracks in North America.

Tips

The picks made by an expert to bet on .

Topweight

Highest weight assigned or carried in a race.

Tout

A person who professes to have, and sells, advance information on a race. Also used as a verb meaning to sell or advertise

Track Condition

The condition of the racetrack surface. Slow; Fast; good; muddy; sloppy; frozen; hard; firm; soft; yielding; heavy

Track Record

Fastest time for a distance at a particular track.

Trainer

The person responsible for looking after a horse and preparing it to race. A trainer must hold a license or permit to be entitled to train.

Trifecta

A wager picking the first three finishers in exact order

Trifecta Box

A trifecta wager in which all possible combinations using a given number of horses are bet upon.

Triple Crown

Is a term used generically to denote a series of three important races, but is always capitalized when referring to historical races for three-year-olds. In the United States, it refers to the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. Whereas in England it refers to the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and St. Leger Stakes.

Trotting

A term for harness racing in general. It also describes the specific gait of a trotter

True Odds

The real odds of something happening as opposed to what the bookies offer. Actual odds taking into account the bookmaker's/sportsbook's edge. The ratio of the number of times one event will occur to the number of times that it will not

Turf Course

Is a Grass course

U

Unbackable

A horse that is quoted at short odds and that bettors decide is too short to return any reasonable amount for the money they outlay

Underlay

A horse racing at shorter odds than seems warranted by its past performances.

Under Wraps

A horse under stout restraint in a race or workout

V

Value

Getting the best odds on a wager

W

Wager

Another term for bet

Walkover

A race in which only one horse competes

Warming Up

Galloping a horse, jogging it before post time

Weigh In/Out

The certification, by the clerk of scales, of a rider's weight before and after a race. A jockey weighs in fully dressed with all equipment except for his/her helmet, whip and, in many jurisdictions, flak jacket

Weight-For-Age

The purpose of weight-for-age is to allow horses of different age and sex to compete on equal terms. The weight a horse carried is allocated on a set scale according to its sex and age

Whip

Instrument or a stick, usually of leather, with which rider strikes horse to increase his speed

Win

The term used to describe a 1st place finish

Win Bet

Is a wager on a horse to finish first

Winning Post

The finishing line of a race, also called 'The Post'

Wire

The finish line of a race

Wise Guy

A knowledgeable handicapper or bettor

Y

Yearling

A horse in its second calendar year of life, beginning January 1 of the year following its birth

Yielding

The condition of a turf course with a great deal of moisture Horses sink into it noticeably