Post by krowned on Oct 12, 2014 15:33:20 GMT -5
RACING TERMS
This is a general list of terms that are often used in the horse racing world. This is by no means the full extent and a reference link to a more exhaustive source is listed at the bottom for you exploration.
backstretch
straight portion of the far side of the racing surface between the turns
bay
a horse color, varying from tan to bright auburn, with the mane and tail black.
bit
A stainless steel, rubber or aluminum bar attached to the bridle and fitting in the horse's mouth; used to guide and control the horse
breeze
a workout at moderate speed
black
a horse color which is black, including the muzzle, flanks, mane, tail and legs unless white markings are present.
blinkers
A hood made of fabric, with cups sewn onto the eye openings. The hood is fitted to the horse's head. The cups force the horse to look straight ahead, removing any visual distractions during races.
bloodlines
a horse's pedigree, basically his/her lineage.
blow-out
A short, timed workout, usually a day or two before a race, designed to sharpen a horse's speed. Usually three-eighths or one-half of a mile in distance.
bobble
A bad step away from the starting gate, usually caused by the track surface breaking away from under a horse's hooves, causing it to duck its head or nearly go to his knees.
check(ed)
When a jockey slows a horse due to other horses impeding its progress.
chestnut
a horse color that can vary from red-yellow to deep red.
colt
an ungelded male horse 4 years old or younger
dam
the female parent of a horse
dark bay or brown
a horse color that ranges from brown with areas of tan on the shoulders, head and flanks, to a dark brown, with tan areas seen only in the flanks and/or muzzle
dead heat
a tie
distanced
Horse so far behind the rest of the field of runners that it is out of contact and unable to regain a position of contention.
earmuffs
a piece of equipment that covers a horse's ears to prevent it from hearing distracting sounds
fast (track)
Footing that is dry, even and resilient.
firm (track)
A condition of a turf course corresponding to fast on a dirt track. A firm, resilient surface.
furlong
one-eighth of a mile, there is eight furlongs in one mile
hand
Four inches. A horse's height is measured in hands and inches from the top of the shoulder (withers) to the ground, e.g., 15.2 hands is 15 hands, 2 inches. Thoroughbreds typically range from 15 to 17 hands.
in the money
A horse that finishes first, second or third.
length
A measurement approximating the length of a horse, used to denote distance between horses in a race For example, "Secretariat won the Belmont by 31 lengths."
near side
Left side of a horse. Side on which a horse is mounted.
off side
Right side of horse.
pinched back
A horse forced back due to racing in close quarters.
rail runner
Horse that prefers to run next to the inside rail.
roan
A horse color where the majority of the coat of the horse is a mixture of red and white hairs or brown and white hairs. The mane, tail and legs may be black, chestnut or roan unless white markings are present. Starting with foals of 1993, the color classifications gray and roan were combined as "roan or gray." See gray.
router
Horse that performs well at longer distances.
sloppy (track)
A racing strip that is saturated with water; with standing water visible.
slow (track)
A racing strip that is wet on both the surface and base.
sprint
Short race, less than one mile.
stayer
A horse that can race long distances.
under wraps
Horse under stout restraint in a race or workout to keep it from pulling away from the competition by too large a margin.
washed out
A horse that becomes so nervous that it sweats profusely. Also known as "washy" or "lathered (up)."
*Reference: www.equibase.com/newfan/glossary-full.cfm
This is a general list of terms that are often used in the horse racing world. This is by no means the full extent and a reference link to a more exhaustive source is listed at the bottom for you exploration.
backstretch
straight portion of the far side of the racing surface between the turns
bay
a horse color, varying from tan to bright auburn, with the mane and tail black.
bit
A stainless steel, rubber or aluminum bar attached to the bridle and fitting in the horse's mouth; used to guide and control the horse
breeze
a workout at moderate speed
black
a horse color which is black, including the muzzle, flanks, mane, tail and legs unless white markings are present.
blinkers
A hood made of fabric, with cups sewn onto the eye openings. The hood is fitted to the horse's head. The cups force the horse to look straight ahead, removing any visual distractions during races.
bloodlines
a horse's pedigree, basically his/her lineage.
blow-out
A short, timed workout, usually a day or two before a race, designed to sharpen a horse's speed. Usually three-eighths or one-half of a mile in distance.
bobble
A bad step away from the starting gate, usually caused by the track surface breaking away from under a horse's hooves, causing it to duck its head or nearly go to his knees.
check(ed)
When a jockey slows a horse due to other horses impeding its progress.
chestnut
a horse color that can vary from red-yellow to deep red.
colt
an ungelded male horse 4 years old or younger
dam
the female parent of a horse
dark bay or brown
a horse color that ranges from brown with areas of tan on the shoulders, head and flanks, to a dark brown, with tan areas seen only in the flanks and/or muzzle
dead heat
a tie
distanced
Horse so far behind the rest of the field of runners that it is out of contact and unable to regain a position of contention.
earmuffs
a piece of equipment that covers a horse's ears to prevent it from hearing distracting sounds
fast (track)
Footing that is dry, even and resilient.
firm (track)
A condition of a turf course corresponding to fast on a dirt track. A firm, resilient surface.
furlong
one-eighth of a mile, there is eight furlongs in one mile
hand
Four inches. A horse's height is measured in hands and inches from the top of the shoulder (withers) to the ground, e.g., 15.2 hands is 15 hands, 2 inches. Thoroughbreds typically range from 15 to 17 hands.
in the money
A horse that finishes first, second or third.
length
A measurement approximating the length of a horse, used to denote distance between horses in a race For example, "Secretariat won the Belmont by 31 lengths."
near side
Left side of a horse. Side on which a horse is mounted.
off side
Right side of horse.
pinched back
A horse forced back due to racing in close quarters.
rail runner
Horse that prefers to run next to the inside rail.
roan
A horse color where the majority of the coat of the horse is a mixture of red and white hairs or brown and white hairs. The mane, tail and legs may be black, chestnut or roan unless white markings are present. Starting with foals of 1993, the color classifications gray and roan were combined as "roan or gray." See gray.
router
Horse that performs well at longer distances.
sloppy (track)
A racing strip that is saturated with water; with standing water visible.
slow (track)
A racing strip that is wet on both the surface and base.
sprint
Short race, less than one mile.
stayer
A horse that can race long distances.
under wraps
Horse under stout restraint in a race or workout to keep it from pulling away from the competition by too large a margin.
washed out
A horse that becomes so nervous that it sweats profusely. Also known as "washy" or "lathered (up)."
*Reference: www.equibase.com/newfan/glossary-full.cfm