Horse Racing Glossary

Age: Every racing horse shares a "birthday" of January first. A racing horse becomes one year old on the first of January after he or she is born, and turns two one year later -- regardless the actual date of his or her birth.

Blanket Finish: Or photo-finish in which two or more racing horses are very close at finish (one can "Throw a blanket over them"). Very common in American Quarter Horse racing.

Break: When a racing 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 racing horse is not automatically disqualified by making a break.

Bullring: A racetrack with either a half-mile or 5/8ths mile oval.

Colt: A male racing horse, age three or under.

Entry: A racing horse entered in a race is called an entry. And on rare occasions, two or more horses are said to be "coupled" and run as an "entry," comprising a single betting unit. A bet on one horse of an entry is a bet on both.

Filly: A female racing 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 racing horse. (verb) The act of giving birth.

Gelding: A de-sexed racing horse of any age.

Green Horse: A horse that has not raced, or has raced only a few times.

Horse: A male racing horse, age four and up.

Maiden: A racing horse (male or female) that has never won a racing purse.

Mare: A female racing horse, age four and up.

Morning Line: Approximate odds printed in the program and posted before betting begins. This is a forecast of how the morning linemaker believes betting will occur in a particular race.

Parked-out: A horse racing on the outside with at least one horse between him and the inside rail or barrier.

Post position: A horse's position in the starting gate, numbered from the inner rail outward.

Purse: The cash prize won by the owner. The racing purse is usually paid to the first five finishers; 50% is paid to the winner, 25% for place, 12% for third, 8% for fourth, and 5% for fifth.