ACROSS THE BOARD-
A bet on a horse to win, place and show. If the horse wins, the player collects three ways; if second, two ways; and if third, one way, losing the win and place bets.
ACTION-
A horse's manner of moving.
ADDED MONEY-
Money added to the purse of a race by the racing association (or sometimes by a breeding or other fund) to the amount paid by owners in nomination, eligibility, entry and starting fees.
AGENT-
A person empowered to transact business of a stable owner or jockey. Also, a person empowered to sell or buy horses for an owner or breeder.
ALL OUT-
When a horse extends himself to the utmost.
ALLOWANCE RACE-
A race other than claiming for which the racing secretary drafts certain conditions to determine weights.
ALLOWANCES-
Weight permitted to be reduced because of the conditions of the race or because an apprentice is on a horse. Also, a weight females are entitled to when racing against males.
ALSO ELIGIBLE-
A horse officially entered, but not permitted to start unless the field is reduced by scratches below a specified number.
ALSO-RAN-
A horse officially entered, but not permitted to start unless the field is reduced by scratches below a specified number.
APPRENTICE-
Rider who has not ridden a certain number of winners within a specified period of time. Also known as a bug boy.
APPRENTICE-ALLOWANCE-
Weight concession to an apprentice rider: usually 10 pounds until the fifth winner, seven pounds until the 35th winner and five pounds for one calendar year from the 35th winner.
BABY RACE-
A race for 2-year-olds.
BACKSTRETCH-
Straight of far side of track between the turns. Also stable area.
BAD ACTOR-
Fractious horse.
BAD DOER-
Horse with poor appetite.
BALD (or BALD FACE)-
White face of horse, including eyes, nostrils or part of the latter.
BANDAGE-
Strips of cloth wound around the lower part of a horse's legs for support or protection against injury.
BAR SHOE-
A horse shoe with a rear bar to protect an injured foot; bar shoes may be worn with aluminum pads to protect a bruised frog, or my be worn alone.
BAY-
Color of horse varying from yellowish tan (light bay) to brown or dark, rich shade of mahogany (sometimes listed as dark bay or brown) with black points- black mane, tail and shadings of black low on the legs.
BEARING IN (or OUT)-
Deviating from a straight course. May be due to weariness, infirmity, punishment by rider or rider's inability to control mount.
BELL-
Signal sounded when starter opens the gates or, at some tracks, to mark the close of betting.
BIT-
Bar in horse's mouth by which he is guided and controlled.
BLACK-
Body, head muzzle, flanks and legs are covered with uniform black hair.
BLACK TYPE-
Designation for a stakes winner or stakes-placed horse in sales catalogues.
BRACE (or BRACER)-
Rubdown liniment used on a horse after a race or a workout.
BLANKET FINISH-
Horses finishing so closely together they could be covered by a blanket.
BLAZE-
White patch on face of a horse.
BLEEDER-
Horse who bleeds during or after a workout or race due to ruptured blood vessel.
BLIND SWITCH-
Being caught in a pocket or such a position behind or between horses that a free course cannot be pursued.
BLINKERS-
Device to limit a horse's vision to prevent him from swerving from objects or other horses on either side of him.
BLISTER-
Counter-irritant to ease pain or to treat an ailment.
BLOOD WORMS-
Parasites that get into the blood stream.
BLOW OUT-
A short, final workout, usually a day or two before a race, designed to sharpen a horse's speed.
BOARD-
Totalisator board on which odds, betting pools and other information is displayed.