These terms and conditions are the only conditions under which we are providing the service to you.  These conditions are subject to change without notice. Nothing in these terms and conditions shall detract from your rights as a private consumer. By agreeing to subscribe to the Services you expressly acknowledge and agree to be bound by our other policies from time to time in force. Membership in the service is only open to persons over the age of eighteen (18).

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.
All Out–When a horse extends himself to the utmost.
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 below a specified number.
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.

–B–

Backstretch–Straight of far side of track between the turns. Also stable area.
Bandage–Strips of cloth wound around the lower part of a horse’s legs for support or protection against injury.
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 and shadings of black low on the legs.
Bit–Bar in horse’s mouth by which he is guided and controlled.
Blaze–White patch on face of a horse.
Blinkers–Devise to limit a horse’s vision to prevent him from swerving from objects or other horses on either side of him.
Blowout–A short, final workout, usually a day or two before a race, designed to sharpen a horse’s speed.
Board–Totalisator board on which odds, betting pools and other information is displayed.
Bobble–A bad 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.
Bolt–Sudden veering from a straight course.
Breakage–In pari-mutuel payoffs which are rounded out to a nickel or dime, those pennies that are left over. Breakage is generally split between the track and the state and, in some cases, breeding or other funds, in varying proportions.
Break Maiden–Horse or rider winning first race of career.
Bred–A horse is bred at the place of his birth. Also, the mating of horses.
Breeder–Owner of dam at time foal is dropped.
Breeze–Working a horse at a moderate speed; less effort than handily.
Bridge-Jumper–Someone who makes large show bets on short-priced favorites.
Bug–Apprentice allowance. Apprentice rider.
Bullet (Work)–The best time for the distance on the work tab for a given day at the track.
Bull Ring–Small racetrack; usually less than a mile.

–C–

Caller–One who calls the running positions of horses in a race.
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 cut off or in tight quarters.
Chute–Extension of backstretch or homestretch to permit straightaway run from start.
Claiming–Buying a horse out of a race for entered price.
Claiming Box–Box in which claims are deposited before the race.
Claiming Race–Race in which horses are entered subject to claim for a specified price.
Classic–Race of traditional importance. In the U>S> specifically the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes for colts.
Climbing–A fault in a horse’s stride in which, instead of reaching out, his action is abnormally high.
Clocker–One who times workouts and races.
Closer–A horse who runs best in the latter part of a race, coming from off the pace.
Clubhouse Turn–Generally, the turn closest to the clubhouse.
Colors–Racing silks jacket and cap worn by riders to denote the owner (s) of a horse.
Colt–Male horse under 5 years of age.
Company–Class of horses in a race.
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.
Cooling Out–Restoring a horse, usually by walking, to normal temperature after becoming overheated in a race or workout.
Coupled–Two or more horses running as an entry in a single betting unit.
Cuppy (Track)–A surface which breaks away under a horse’s hoof.

–D–

Daily Double–Type of wager calling for the selection of winners of two consecutive races, usually the first and second.
Dead-Heat–Two or more horses finishing in an exact tie at the wire.
Declared–In U.S., a horse withdrawn from a stake in advance of scratch time. In Europe, a horse confirmed to start in a race.
Diploma (Earning a…)–Breaking a maiden. Winning for the first time.
Disqualification–Change of order of finish by officials for an infraction of the rules.
Distaff (Distaff Race)–Female. A race for fillies, mares or both.
Dogs–Wooden barrier (or rubber traffic cones) placed a certain distance out from the inner rail, to prevent horses during workout period, when track is wet, muddy, soft, yielding or heavy from churning the footing along the rail.
DQ–Disqualified.
Driving–Strong urging by rider.
Dropdown–A horse meeting a lower class of rival than he had been running against.
Dwelt–Tardy in breaking from the gate.

–F–

Fast-Track–Footing at best, dry, fast and even .
Filly–Female horse up to and including the age of 4 years.
Firm–A condition of a turf course corresponding to fast on a dirt track.
First Turn–Bend in the track beyond the starting point.
Flag–Signal held by man stationed a short distance in front of the gate at exact starting point of the race. Official timing starts when the flag is dropped to denote proper start.
Flatten Out–When a horse drops his head almost on straight line with body. May indicate exhaustion.
Foal–Newly born thoroughbred or until weaned. Male or female.
Four Furlongs–Half a mile; 880 yards; 2,640 feet.
Fractional Time–Intermediate time recorded in a race, as the quarter, half, three-quarters, etc.
Fresh–A rested horse.
Front-Runner–A horse who usually leads (or tries to lead) the field for as far as he can.
Furlong–One-eighth of a mile; 220 yards; 660 feet.

–H–

Half–Half a mile, four furlongs; 880 yards; 2,640 feet.
Halter–Like a bridle, but lacing a bit. Used in handling horses around the stable and when not being ridden.
Handicap–Race for which a handicapper assigns weights to be carried. Also, to handicap a race, to make selections on the basis of the past.
Handily–Working or racing with moderate effort, but more effort than breezing.
Handle–Amount of money wagered in the pari-mutuel on a race, a program, a meeting or a year.
Hand Ride–Urging a horse with the hands and not using a whip.
Head–A margin between horses. One horse leading another by the length of his head.
Head Of The Stretch–Beginning of the straight run home.
Hotwalker–Person who walks horses to cool them out after workout or races.
Hung–Horse tiring, but holding position.

–L–

Late Double–A second daily double offered on the latter part of the program. (See Daily Double)
Lead Pony–Horse or pony who heads parade of field from paddock to starting gate. Also a horse or pony who accompanies a starter to post.
Leg Up–To help a jockey mount his horse. Also a jockey having a mount. Also to strengthen a horse’s legs through exercise.
Length–Length of a horse from nose to tail, about 8 feet. Also distance between horses in a race.
Lock–Slang for “sure thing” winner.
Lug (in or out)–Action of a tiring horse.

–M–

Maiden–A horse who has not won a race. Also applied to non-winning rider.
Maiden Race–A race for non-winners.
Mare–Female horse 5 years or older. Also, female of any age who has been bred.
Middle Distance–Broadly from one mile to less than a mile and an eighth.
Minus Pool–A mutuel pool caused when one 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 Line–Approximate odds quoted before wagering determines exact odds.

–O–

Objection–Claim of foul lodged by rider, patrol judge or other official. If lodged by official, it is called an inquiry.
Odds-On–Odds of less than even money. Odds of 4-5 or less.
Official–Sign displayed when result is confirmed. Also a racing official.
Off Side–Right side of the horse.
On The Board–Finishing among the first four.
Overlay–A horse going off at a higher price than he appears to warrant based on his past performances.

–P–

Paddock–Structure or area where horses are saddled and kept before post time.
Pari-mutuel–A form of wagering that originated in France in which all money bet is divided up among those who have winning tickets, after taxes, takeout and other deductions.
Past Performances–A compilation of a horse’s record, including all pertinent data, as a basis for handicapping.
Pick Six (or more)– A type of wager in which the winners of all the included races must be selected.
Pinched Back– Horse in close quarters and forced back.
Pinhooker; Pinhook–To buy a horse at auction for the purpose of reselling him later.
Place–Second position at finish.
Place Bet–Wager on a horse to finish first or second.
Pole–Markers at measured distances around the track, marking the distance from the finish. The quarter pole, for instance is a quarter mile from the finish.
Post–Starting point or position in starting gate.
Post Parade–Horses going from paddock to starting gate past the stands.
Post Position–Position of stall in starting gate from which a horse starts.
Post Time–Designated time for race to start.
Public Trainer–One whose services are not exclusively engaged by a single stable and who accepts horse from a number of owners.
Purse–A prize of money to which owners do not contribute.

–Q–

Quarter–One-quarter of a mile; 440 yards; 1,320 feet.
Quarter Pole–Marker one-quarter mile from the finish. Red and white in color.
Quinella–Wager in which first two finishers must be picked, but payoff is made no matter which of the two wins and which runs second.

–R–

Rabbit–A horse who is entered purely to ensure a fast pace and tire out the other front-runners, softening up the competition for the benefit of an entrymate.
Receiving Barn–structure at which horses entered are isolated for a certain period of time before a race.
Ridden Out–Refers to a horse that wins under a vigorous hand ride but is not being whipped.
Route–Race distance of a mile or longer.
Router–Horse who performs well at a distance.
Rundown Bandages (or wraps)–Bandages on the hind legs, usually with a pad inside, to keep a horse from “burning” or scraping his heels when he races.
Run-Out Bit–A special type of bit to prevent a horse from bearing out (or in).

–S–

Saddlecloth–Cloth under the saddle on which number (and sometimes horse’s name) denoting post position is displayed.
Schooling–Accustoming a horse to starting from the gate and to teach him racing practices.
Scratch–To be taken out of a race.
Set Down–A suspension. Also, put to a drive, or asked to run by a jockey.
Seven Furlongs–Seven-eighths of a mile; 1,540 yards; 4,620 feet.
Shadow Roll–Usually a lamb’s wool roll half way up the horse’s face to keep him from seeing his own shadow.
Shank–Rope or strap attached to a halter or bridle by which a horse is led.
Show–Third position at the finish.
Show Bet–Wager on a horse to finish in the money; third or better.
Silks–Jacket and cap worn by riders which designate owner of the horse.
Six Furlongs–Three-quarters of a mile; 1,320 yards; 3,960 feet.
Sixteenth–One-sixteenth of a mile; 110 yards; 330 feet.
Sophomore–Three-year-old horse.
Stakes-Placed–Finishing first, second or third in a stakes race.
Stake–A race (usually a feature race) for which owner must pay a fee to run a horse. The fees can be for nominating, maintaining eligibility, entering and starting, to which the track adds more money to make up the total purse. Some stakes races are by invitation and require no payment or fee.
Starting Gate–Mechanical devise having partitions (stalls) for horses in which they are confirmed until the starter releases the doors in front to begin the race.
State-Bred–A horse bred in a particular state and thus eligible to compete in special races restricted to state-breds.
Stewards–Top officials of the meeting responsible for enforcing the rules.
Stick–A jockey’s whip.
Stockings–White legs below the knee.
Stretch–Final straight portion of the racetrack to the finish.
Stretch Call–Position of horses at the eighth pole, usually about halfway down the stretch. The eighth pole is green and white in color.
Stretch Runner–Horse who finishes fast.
Stride–Manner of going. Also distance covered after each foot has touched the ground once.

–T–

Tack–Rider’s racing equipment. Also applied to stable gear.
Take (or Takeout)–Commission deducted from mutuel pools which is shared by the track and local and state governing bodies in the form of tax.
Taken-Up–A horse pulled up sharply by his rider because of being in close quarters.
Tattoo–A letter and a group of numerals applied to the underside of the upper lip of each registered thoroughbred.
Tongue Strap–Strap or tape bandage used to tie down a horse’s tongue to prevent it from choking in a race or workout.
Totalisator–Machine which sells and records betting tickets and shows odds. Also figures out and displays payoff figures.
Tout–One who gives tips on racehorses, usually with expectation of some personal reward in return; to give tips.
Track Bias–A racing surface that favors a particular running style or position such as horses that run on the lead or on the rail.
Track Record–Fastest time at various distances recorded at a particular track.
Trifecta (or Triple)–A wager picking the first three finishers in exact order.
Triple Crown–in the U.S., the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. In England the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Darby and St. Leger.
Turf Course–Grass course.

–W–

Walkover–Race which scratches down to only one starter who merely gallops required distance. A formal gesture required by rules of racing.
Washy–Horse breaking out in nervous sweat before race.
Whip–Instrument, usually of leather, with which rider strikes horse to increase his speed. Also called bat and gad.
Work–To exercise a horse. A workout.