A
Age
Every horse shares a "birthday" of January first. A horse becomes one
year old on the first of January after he or she is born, and turns two
one year later — regardless of the actual date of his or her birth.
Allowance Race
A race other than claiming for which the racing secretary drafts certain
conditions to determine weights.
Arrimada
In Jai Alai, a ball that is returned as close to the side wall as possible,
hindering the opposition's return.
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B
Bertillon Card
A greyhound's identification card that lists 56 physical identifying points
for every registered racing greyhound.
Blanket
A covering for a greyhound bearing a number and color corresponding to
post position.
Blanket Finish
Or photo-finish in which two or more horses are very close at finish (one
can "throw a blanket over them"). Very common in American Quarter Horse
racing.
Break
When a horse gallops, instead of trotting or pacing, it's on a break.
The driver must get the horse out of the way of the others, must not improve
their position, and must attempt to get the horse back on its proper gait.
A horse is not automatically disqualified by making a break.
Bullring
A racetrack with either a half-mile or 5/8ths mile oval.
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C
Calls
The position of each greyhound at specific points around the track during
a race.
Career Record
A series of five numbers indicating, in order, a greyhound's total number
of starts, followed by first place, second place, third place and fourth
place finishes. Often preceded by an abbreviation showing the track at
which the starts were recorded.
Carom
In Jai Alai, a thrown ball that hits the side wall, the front wall, the
court, then goes into the screen.
Cesta
In Jai Alai, the basket used to catch and throw the pelota.
Chic Chac
In Jai Alai, a ball returned to the floor near the back wall and back
to the floor.
Chula
In Jai Alai, when the ball hits the lower angle between the base of the
back wall and the floor coming out without a bounce.
Claiming Race
Race in which horses are entered subject to claim for a specified price.
Colt
A male horse, age three or under.
Cortada
In Jai Alai, a ball thrown from outside of the court with a forehand,
hitting low on the front wall then on the floor.
Costada
In Jai Alai, a shoulder high throw from the left to chic
chac off the back wall.
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D
Dejada
In Jai Alai, a short lob, hitting the front wall just above the foul line
and dropping with a small bounce.
Double Quinella
A wager type that requires the selection of the first two finishers, regardless
of order, in each of the two specified contests. This wager type is also
known as quinella double.
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E
Entry
A horse entered in a race is called an entry. On rare occasions, two or
more horses are said to be coupled and run as an entry, comprising a single
wagering unit. A wager on one horse of an entry is a wager on both.
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F
Filly
A female horse, age three or under.
First-Over
A horse racing on the outside without another horse directly in front
of him or her. A foreshortening of the phrase first overland.
Foal
A newly-born horse. (Noun) The act of giving birth. (Verb)
Furlong
One-eighth of a mile or 220 yards. Races are measured in furlongs.
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G
Gelding
A castrated animal.
Grading System
Method of assuring greyhounds compete against racers of similar caliber;
grades are assigned according to performance, with the top grade being
A.
Green Horse
A horse that has not raced, or has raced only a few times.
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H
Handicap
A race for which a handicapper assigns weights to be carried. Also, to
handicap a race, to make selections on the basis of the past performances.
Horse
A male horse, age four and up.
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I
Interference
Intentional physical contact which obstructs or impedes the running of
another greyhound. After being called for interference, a greyhound must
run in a non-wagering race before he can compete again.
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J
No entries.
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K
Kennel
A business that cares for and races greyhounds under contract with one or
more racetracks.
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L
Leadout
A handler employed by the track who parades racers in front of the public
before a race, and places the greyhounds in the starting box.
Lure
A mechanical device attached to an arm and electrically driven around
the racing strip. The lure operator keeps it a uniform distance ahead
of the greyhounds.
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M
Maiden
A horse (male or female) who has never won a racing purse.
Mare
A female horse, age four and up.
Matinee
A program of racing conducted during the daylight hours.
Morning Line
Approximate odds printed in the program and posted before wagering begins.
This is a forecast of how the morning line maker believes wagering will
occur in a particular race.
Muzzle
A wire, leather or plastic devise, with a white tip, which is fitted over
the greyhound's mouth and jaws and used as an aid in a close photo finish.
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N
No entries.
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O
Outside Cortada
In Jai Alai, same as Cortada but thrown inside-out.
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P
Parked-out
A horse racing on the outside with at least one horse between him and
the inside rail or barrier.
Pelota
In Jai Alai, the ball used to play the game.
Picada
In Jai Alai, when the ball is thrown straight overhand from the right
with lots of wrist resulting in a high bounce.
Post
A greyhound's box or post position number. A greyhound's number always
corresponds to the number of his starting box.
Post position
A horse's position in the starting gate, numbered from the inner rail
outward.
Purse
The amount of prize money distributed to the owners of the first five
or six finishers in a race (varies by state).
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Q
Qualifying Race
A race without a purse or betting used to determine a horse's ability
and manners. Horses who have made repeated breaks in stride or have been
away from the races for a long period of time must race in a qualifying
race before being allowed to race in a betting race.
Quinella Double
A wager type that requires the selection of the first two finishers, regardless
of order, in each of the two specified contests. This wager type is also
known as double quinella.
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R
Rebote
In Jai Alai, returning the ball from the back wall with a forehand or
backhand.
Register of Merit
A Register of Merit is designed to establish a record of outstanding performance.
There are three Registers of Merit- one for racing, one for halter and
one for performance events- but not a separate Register of Merit for each
performance event.
A horse has received at least one official speed
index rating of 80 or higher in racing. Qualified horses registered
with the Jockey Club of New York City will be listed and treated as racing
Register of Merit qualifiers for all purposes except that they shall not
receive a certificate of Register of Merit or year-end awards. Until 1956
a Grade A was a 75 or better speed index, 1957 to 1975 Grade AA was an
85 or better. From 1976 to 1985 a Register of merit could be earned by
an 80 or better speed index or by earning 10 racing points. From 1986
to present a Register of Merit could only be earned by a speed index of
80 or better.
AAA- 100
AAA- 95
AA- 85
A- 75
B- 65
C- 55
D- 45
Remate
In Jai Alai, when two walls are thrown from the left side; the most effective
"kill". Also used to refer to any type of kill shot.
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S
Schooling Race
A non-pari-mutuel preparatory race, which conforms to requirements adopted
by the state racing commission.
Scratch
A horse who is withdrawn before the race starts.
Sire
The male parent of a horse.
Speed Index
An evaluation of a horse's time in a race versus the three fastest winning
times for the same distance for the previous year at the same racetrack.
Sprint
A race that is run over five-sixteenths of a mile, or a shorter distance.
Stakes Race
A race for a championship or for a purse larger than those offered for
ordinary feature races.
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T
Tattoo
An identification number placed inside the ear of a registered racing
greyhound.
Tongue Strap
Strap or tape bandage used to tie down a horse's tongue to prevent choking
in a race or workout.
Trial
A race in which eligible contestants compete to determine the finalists
in a nomination race.
Trainer
The person responsible for keeping a race contestant in top racing condition.
In Harness racing the trainer is often the driver.
Twin Trifecta
A wagering term describing the first three greyhounds to cross the finish
line in exact order in two designated races.
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U
No entries.
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V
No entries.
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W
Wire
The finish line for a race.
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X
No entries.
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Y
No entries.
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Z
No entries.
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