Horse Racing Terminology

We would like your first visit to the races to be an exciting and fun-filled experience. We also know that one of the more challenging experiences for new racing fans is understanding the horse racing terminology they encounter when first learning about the many types of wagers offered, and how you go about making your bets.

TYPES OF WAGERS

WIN: You wager on a horse to finish first in a given race.

PLACE: Your horse must come in either first or second in a given race.

SHOW: Your horse must finish first, second or third in any given race.

EXACTA: Requires you to pick the first and second place horses in exact order in a given race.

TRIFECTA: Pick the first, second and third place horses in exact order in a given race.

SUPERFECTA: Pick the first, second, third and fourth place finishers in exact order in a given race.

DAILY DOUBLE: Pick the winners of the first and second races from a selected track.

PICK THREE: Pick the winners of three races in a row. The racing program will designate when the pick three starts.

PICK FOUR: Pick the winners of four races in a row. The racing program will designate when the pick four starts.

PICK 6: Bettors have to select the winners of a designated set of six consecutive races. The wager must be made prior to the start of the first part of the Pick 6.

WAGERING TERMS

ACROSS THE BOARD: Three equal wagers placed on one horse to win, place and to show.

CLOSING ODDS: The odds displayed on the tote board after wagering closes.

HANDICAPPING: Studying horses' race histories to select the best wagering options.

HANDLE: The total amount wagered on a race or on a day's races.

MORNING LINE: The track handicappers' estimate of the probable payoffs for each horse at post time.

ODDS-ON: Odds that are less than even money ($1 to $1)

PARI-MUTUEL: The wagering format which allows each player to compete against the other players ("among ourselves") rather than against the track.

PARLAY: A wagering technique whereby the bettor reinvests the proceeds from a wager in one race into another race or races.

POOL: The total amount of money wagered on any one type of wager (win, show, exacta pools, etc.)

TOTE BOARD: An electronic board displaying approximate odds, amount wagered, track condition, post time, time of day, results of race, running time and payoff prices.

WHEEL: To make an exotic wager (e.g. exacta or daily double) using a single "key" horse with the balance of the field (in the case of an exacta) or all the horses in the other race (in the case of a daily double)

HORSE RACING TERMS

BANDAGES: Wrappings used on a horse's legs to protect them from injury.

BIT: Metal bar in horse's mouth to which reins are attached by which the horse is guided and controlled.

BLINKERS: Eye cups attached to a hood to limit a horse's side vision and prevent distraction.

BRIDLE: Piece of equipment placed on the horse's head used by the jockey to steer and control the horse. The bit is part of this equipment.

BUTE: A horse medication allowed in many race jurisdictions that is used to control inflammation.

COLORS (SILKS): Distinctively patterned and colored jacket and cap worn by the jockey to identify the horse's owner.

HALTER: A piece of equipment placed on a horse's head similar to a bridle but lacking a bit and reins. A long leather shank is attached to the halter for walking the horse.

IRONS: A term commonly used for the rider's stirrups.

LASIX: A horse medication allowed in many race jurisdictions that is used to control bleeding, a condition which occurs when tiny blood vessels in a horse's respiratory system are damaged by exertion.

TACK: The saddle and other equipment worn by a horse during racing or exercise.

TONGUE TIE: Strap or cloth bandage used to tie down a horse's tongue to prevent him from swallowing it, or to place the tongue over the bit in a race or workout.