| BOXED IN: |
A horse that is racing on the rail and is surrounded
by other horses in front, outside and behind it.
A horse that is boxed in is held up and unable to
gain a clear passage. |
| BREAK: |
To start galloping and lose the natural trotting
or pacing rhythm. This occurs more often with trotters
than pacers. |
| CARD: |
Another term for a program of racing. For example,
a person may refer to there being twelve races on
the card, which simple means twelve races will be
staged on that particular day. |
| CATCH DRIVER: |
A driver which does not train his or her own horses,
and is engaged by other trainers to drive their
horses. |
| CLAIMING RACE: |
A race where any of the entrants may be claimed
(purchased) for a specified amount. |
| COLORS: |
The very special colorful suit worn by drivers/trainers.
Unlike Thoroughbred racing, the drivers/trainers
register their own colors and wear them every time
they race. |
| COLT: |
A male 3 years of age or less. |
| CONDITIONED RACE: |
A race where eligibility is based on age, sex,
money won, or races won. For example, "3-year-old
colts who are non-winners of $10,000 lifetime or
4 races." |
| COVER: |
A horse that races with another horse in front
of him is said to race with cover, as the leading
horse cuts the wind resistance. |
| DEAD HEAT: |
A situation in which the judges cannot separate
two or more horses when judging the outcome of a
race. This race is declared a tie (Dead Heat). |
| DISTANCED: |
A horse that is out of touch with the rest of
the field at the end of the race. This is often
referred to as finished distanced. |
| FIRST-OVER: |
The first horse to make a move on the leader in
a race, moving up on the outside. |
| FREE LEGGED: |
A pacer which races without wearing hobbles. |
| HOME STRETCH: |
The straight length of the track, nearest the
spectators, heading toward the finish line. It is
called this because it is the final part of the
track a horse travels down on its way 'home' (or
the finish line). |
| HOBBLES: |
The straps which connect the front and rear legs
on the same side of a horse. Most pacers wear hobbles
to help balance their stride and maintain a pacing
gait. The length of hobbles is adjustable and a
trainer registers the length that best suits his
or her horse. There are also trotting hobbles that
work through a pulley system to help trotters maintain
their gait. |
| INQUIRY: |
Judging officials may conduct an inquiry as a
result of any incident which may have occurred during
a race, to determine whether or not certain drivers
and/or horses were responsible for the incident
and whether they should receive due punishment |
| LAME: |
The term used to describe a horse which has difficulty
walking properly. |
| PACER: |
Are horses whose legs move in a lateral motion,
meaning the two legs on the same side of the body
move in unison. For example both right legs move
forward as both left legs are going back. |
| PARKED: |
A horse racing on the outside, with at least one
horse between it and the inside rail. |
| PHOTO FINISH: |
When two horses cross the finish too closely to
identify a winner, officials call for a photograph
of the race, taken exactly at the finish line, to
help them determine who’s nose is ahead. |
| POCKET: |
A horse in a pocket is unable to obtain a clear
run because it has other runners situated in front,
behind and to the side of it. |
| QUALIFIER: |
A race in which a horse must go a mile below an
established time standard to prove itself capable
of competing in pari-mutuel races. |
| SULKY: |
Also known as the cart or racebike, the sulky
is attached to the harness and carries the driver
and which the horse pulls. |
| TOTE BOARD: |
Tote Board: An electronic board, usually in the
infield of a track, which posts the odds, amount
of money bet, results of a race and the wagering
pay-offs. |
| TROTTER: |
Are horses whose legs on the opposite side of
the body move at the same time. For example the
right front and left rear move forward as the left
front and right rear move back. |
