HORSE RACING DEFINITIONS (GLOSSARY)
RACING: THE BASICS
Allowance Race – A race for horses that have already won but are not yet at the stakes level.
Example: A horse wins a maiden race and then moves into an allowance race.
Apprentice Jockey – A young jockey still in training who receives a weight allowance.
Example: An apprentice may receive a 5–7 lb allowance compared to veteran riders.
Also-Eligible (AE) – A horse entered in a race that will only run if another horse scratches.
Beyer Speed Figure – A numerical rating that measures how fast a horse ran, adjusted for track conditions.
Example: A 90 Beyer is faster than an 80 Beyer.
Blinkers – Equipment placed on a horse to limit its peripheral vision and help it focus.
Break – The moment the starting gates open.
Breeze – A workout where a horse runs at a moderate to fast pace.
Claiming Race – A race in which every horse is available for purchase at a predetermined price.
Condition Book – The racing office’s schedule that outlines upcoming races and their conditions.
Closing – A horse that runs best in the latter part of the race.
Colt – A male horse under 4 years old.
Connections – The owner, trainer, and jockey of a horse.
Dead Heat – When two or more horses finish at exactly the same time.
Distance – The length of a race, usually measured in furlongs or miles.
Entry – A horse officially registered to run in a race.
Filly – A female horse under 4 years old.
Furlong – One-eighth of a mile (660 feet).
Gate – The starting stalls where horses are loaded before a race.
Gelding – A castrated male horse.
Handicap Race – A race where horses carry different weights to level competition.
Hand Ride – When a jockey urges the horse without using the whip.
Juvenile – A two-year-old horse.
Maiden – A horse that has never won a race.
Maiden Special Weight (MSW) – A high-level maiden race where horses are not for sale.
Maiden Claiming – A maiden race where horses are for sale.
Morning Line – The track’s initial estimate of betting odds.
Mudlark – A horse that performs well on muddy tracks.
Off the Board – Finishing worse than fourth place.
Off Track – A wet racing surface (sloppy or muddy).
Post – Short for post position.
Post Position – The numbered stall where a horse starts in the gate.
Post Time – The scheduled start time of a race.
Rail – The inside edge of the racetrack.
Rank – A horse that is fighting the rider and running too aggressively early.
Route – A race longer than one mile.
Scratch – When a horse is removed from a race before it starts.
Sprint – A race shorter than one mile.
Stakes Race – A top-level race with the highest purses.
Stretch – The final straight portion of the track before the finish line.
Stretch Runner – A horse that finishes strongly in the final part of the race.
Track Bias – When track conditions favor a certain running style or post position.
Workout (Work) – A timed training run between races.
RACE CONDITIONS & SURFACES
Fast – Dry, firm dirt track in ideal condition.
Good – Slightly wet dirt track but still favorable.
Muddy – Wet dirt track with standing water.
Sloppy – Very wet track with significant water present.
Sealed Track – When officials close the surface to prevent water from soaking in.
Firm (Turf) – Ideal turf condition.
Yielding (Turf) – Soft turf with some give.
Soft (Turf) – Very wet turf course.
Tight Track – A racetrack with sharp turns.
Wide Track – A racetrack with long, sweeping turns.
RUNNING STYLES
Speed Horse – A horse that prefers to lead early.
Front Runner – A horse that wants the lead from the start.
Stalker – A horse that sits just behind the leaders before making a move.
Closer – A horse that runs best in the final part of the race.
Off the Pace – A horse that runs behind the leaders early.
TRAINING & CARE
Breezing – A controlled fast workout.
Gallop – A slow training run.
Leg Stretcher – A light, easy workout to maintain fitness.
Gate Work – Training to help a horse load and break from the starting gate.
Shoeing – The process of fitting horses with horseshoes.
Farrier – A professional who trims hooves and fits shoes.
Veterinarian (Vet) – A doctor specializing in horse health.
Scope – A procedure to examine a horse’s airway after a race or workout.
BREEDING & BLOODSTOCK
Sire – The father of a horse.
Dam – The mother of a horse.
Broodmare – A mare used for breeding.
Stallion – A male horse used for breeding.
Foal – A baby horse under one year old.
Weanling – A young horse recently separated from its mother.
Yearling – A horse that is one year old.
Pedigree – A horse’s family lineage.
Nick – How well a sire and dam’s bloodlines work together.
Inbreeding – When a horse has repeated ancestors in its pedigree.
Outcross – A horse with little to no inbreeding.
NYRA & NEW YORK RACING
NYRA – New York Racing Association, which operates Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga.
NY-Bred – A horse bred in New York State, eligible for special bonuses.
State-Bred Bonus – Additional purse money awarded to NY-bred horses.
Saratoga Meet – The prestigious summer racing season in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Belmont at the Big A – Belmont Park racing held at Aqueduct during renovations.
Finger Lakes – A New York racetrack in upstate NY.
Stewards – Officials who oversee races and enforce rules.
FINISHING & RESULTS
Photo Finish – When the result is determined by reviewing a finish-line photo.
Inquiry – When officials review a possible rule violation.
Objection – A formal complaint filed by a jockey or trainer after a race.
Disqualification (DQ) – When a horse is removed from its finishing position.