Upcoming Races
Betting 101
| How To Wager On Horses | Thoroughbred Betting Tips |
| How To Wager Exotics | Harness Betting Tips |
| Horse Wagering Tips | Quarter Horse Betting Tips |
| Thoroughbred Race Types | Racing Glossary |
How to Wager on Horse Racing
Conventional wisdom holds that a fan will do OK at the racetrack if he or she grabs a tip sheet or a local newspaper and follows the picks of the pros. That may or may not be so, but it is not nearly as much fun as making your own selections and trying to outsmart everyone else at the track. This is the essence of pari-mutuel wagering: each bettor is wagering against all the others making the same type of bet.
Pari-mutuel means that bets by race fans go into a common pool, which is then distributed to the winning ticket-holders after the track's takeout for the race's purse, taxes, and track profits, is subtracted. The more fans holding a winning ticket, the less the pay-out will be. This spawned the term "favorite", which is used to describe the horse that has taken the most money. However, favorites win only about 30 percent of the time. It makes sense for the bettor to study the program with the day's racing information before making a pick.
Picking winners at the track is one of the most fun and exciting forms of entertainment around, as long as you bet with your head. Those who want to minimize betting risk should stick to less aggressive bets. Those looking to "hit the big one" usually opt for the exotic wagers, such as a trifecta or a pick three. All bets can be fun and profitable if managed correctly. Like playing the stock market, the key words are money management, performance, and value. Use the section below to aid your understanding of betting terminology and rules.
And remember; never bet more than you can stand to lose.
"Straight" wagering:
The minimum straight win, place or show wager is $2. The final winning prices are all based on a $2 wager. For example, if you bet $10 to win, and the win price was $5.00, you would collect a total of $25. The math works like this: [$10(amount bet) multiplied by $5.00(winning payoff) divided by $2(minimum bet denomination) = $25.00].
Win - Your horse must come in first. (On average 30% of favorites win.)
Place - Your horse must come in first or second. (On average 45% of favorites win or place.)
Show - Your horse comes in first, second, or third. (On average 65% of favorites win, place or show.)
Across the board - You are betting win, place and show on one ticket. You'll collect all three pay-outs if the horse comes in first; place and show if the horse comes in second, and show only if the horse comes in third.
How to Place a Straight Bet
Step 1: State the race number
Step 2: State the amount of the wager
Step 3: State the type of bet
Step 4: State the horse number(s)
For example, if you want to bet $10 to win on the No. 7 horse in the third race, go up to the pari-mutuel clerk behind the window and say, "Third race, ten dollars to win on number 7." If you want to impress your friends with your grasp of the terminology, simply say "Race 3, $10 win on the 7."
Approximate Payoff for a $2 Win Bet
|
How to Bet Exotic Wagers on Horse Racing
There are multiple wagering options beyond placing Win, Place and Show wagers. These exotic wager types include Exacta, Daily Double, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 or High 5 and Pick 6.
With exotic wagers, you have the option of playing them by "boxing" a number of horses, "keying" on a specific horse or "wheeling" or "part wheeling" a horse. These types of wagers allow a greater flexibility in placing wagers and managing a player's bankroll.
Daily Double - The daily double involves picking the winning horse in two designated consecutive races. To win a daily double you must pick the winning horse in each of the two races. Multiple combinations can be used when playing the double. Wheeling and keying horses in any leg of the daily is allowed. All tracks offer the early daily double which involves races 1 and 2. Some tracks also offer a late daily double which is the last two races of the day. Some tracks also offer a rolling daily double which is on any two consecutive races. The wager must be made prior to the start of the first half of the daily double.
Quinella - To win the Quinella wager, you must pick the horses that finish first and second in a single race. Either one can be first and the other one second. This bet is exactly the same as the "Exacta Box". Although the Quinella has the same function as the "Exacta Box" the payoff can vary substantially. Quinella wagers are entered into their own pool. Not all tracks offer the Quinella wager.
Exacta - To win the Exacta wager, you must pick the first two finishing horses in the exact order of their finish. In other words, you must pick the horse that wins and the horse that finishes second. A popular way to wager with the Exacta is to "box" the horses selected. You may select any number of horse to "box" for an Exacta wager.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trifecta - With this bet you must pick the first three finishing horses in the order of their finish. In other words, you must pick the horse that wins, the horse that finishes second and the horse that finishes third. Tracks that conduct Trifecta wagers allow "keying","wheeling" and "boxing" of this wager.
Superfecta - With this bet you must pick the first four finishing horses in the order of their finish. In other words, you must pick the horse that wins, the horse that finishes second, third, and fourth. Tracks that conduct Superfecta wagers allow "keying","wheeling" and "boxing" of this wager.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
High Five – This is a relatively new wager to the racing industry. In order to win a High Five wager you must pick the first five finishing horses in the order of their finish. In other words, you must pick the horse that wins, the horse that finishes second, third, fourth and fifth. Tracks that conduct the High Five wager allow "keying","wheeling" and "boxing" of this wager.
Pick 3 - In order to win a Pick 3 bet you are required to select the winning horse in a set of three designated consecutive races. The wager must be made prior to the start of the first part of the Pick 3. Many tracks offer rolling Pick 3's. This means each race will be the first leg of the three legs of a Pick 3.
Pick 4 - In order to win a Pick 4 bet you are required to select the winning horse in a set of four designated consecutive races. The wager must be made prior to the start of the first part of the Pick 4.
Pick 6 - In order to win a Pick 6 bet you are required to select the winning horse in a set of 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. This wager is very popular and many tracks have large "carryover" pools if no one has the correct order / winning ticket.
Boxing horses in exotics - A "box" Is when you use multiple horses taking all possible combinations in that particular bet. If you have determined that two, three, or four horses are the best in the race but you are not sure which one will win, run second, third, or fourth the "box" may be your best bet.
Example: A $1 dollar superfecta box using the 1-2-3-4-5. This means four of your five horses must finish in the top four to be a winner.
Keying horses in exotics - A "key" is when you use a single horse to win, run second, or third using multiple horses in front of that runner or behind the runner.
Example: A $1 dollar Pick 3, the 2 horse with the 3-4-5 with the 3-4-5-6. This means the 2 horse must win the first leg of your pick 3 either the 3-4 or 5 must win the second leg and the 3-4-5 or 6 must win the third leg to win your bet.
Wheeling horses in exotics - A wheel is when you use a single horse in a position with multiple horses finishing ahead or in some cases behind the horse your wheeling. In many cases a "wheel" and a "key" can be considered the same thing.
Example: A $2 dollar Exacta, the 1 horse with the 2-3-4. This means the 1 horse must win the race and the 2,3,or 4 must run second to win the bet. Another example might be a $2 dollar Exacta the 2-3-4 horse with the 1 this means the 2,3,or 4 must win and the 1 must run second.
Part wheels - Part wheels are offered at a $1 minimum bet per combination - $2 minimum total cost. Part wheels are when you use multiple horses in different positions.
Example: A $1 dollar Trifecta part wheel the 1-2 horse with 1-2-3 with 1-2-3-4-5 this means the 1 or 2 must win the race the 1-2-3 must run second and the 1-2-3-4-5 must finish third for the bet to win. Same theory applies to the exacta and Superfecta.
Tips To Consider When Wagering On A Horse
FITNESS
Before a horse can be considered, it should be determined that he's physically fit enough to be at or near his best. Athletes become fit via two avenues, competition and training. Examine the dates of prior last races, found at the far left of the past performance line. The more recent races he has, the more certain of his fitness.
If he's been away from the races for two months or more, examine morning training workouts shown underneath the last past performance line. It is generally understood that fitness is best derived by a combination of competition and training. The longer the layoff, the more difficult the comeback. Make a final determination and if deemed fit, go to the next variable. If not, eliminate.
CLASS
Class in Thoroughbred racing can be defined by saying that class is the quality of competition a horse can compete favorably against. Look at the prior conditions under which the horse has raced. Regardless of any other variable, a horse cannot be expected to win without having shown a past ability to do so against similar competition. If he has not shown the past ability, he can be considered a throw-out, unless he's rapidly improving and won his last race with enough authority to move up in class against tougher competition. If he's fit and can compete against the competition, move to the next variable.
DISTANCE
Through either breeding, conformation, running style, or training techniques, horses generally do better at certain distances. Few are versatile enough to handle short and long races effectively. Examine all races listed to determine if he's done well at the designated distance. If he's a proven competitor at today's distance, continue to consider him, and eliminate him if he's had numerous opportunities without success. He may show a potential to handle the distance, but can't be overly well regarded without proof. Remember, never expect a horse to do something he's never done before.
POST POSITION
The Post Position Draw, a random drawing done after entries for a race are taken, can often turn a potential winner into a dead loser, and vice-versa! Track biases exist at many tracks, favoring inside or outside post positions. Check post position statistics listed in programs or Lone Star Today to see if certain posts appear better than others. As a general rule, far outside posts in bulky fields in sprints (10 or more) can prove more challenging. The two inside posts in big fields can also be detrimental. Early speed is preferable for both inside and outside posts because without it, outside horses lose ground and inside ones get trapped. A horse's running style and the post position are directly correlated. In longer, two-turn-races, inside posts are almost always preferred. The shorter the two-turn race, the more it favors inside. If it can be determined that the post will not be a detriment, move on. But a horse can be thrown out if it is determined his chances will be badly compromised by post position.
RUNNING STYLE
Horses generally settle into a certain style of running, broken down into three categories: pace-setter or front runner, horses who run in the lead or who are never further back than two lengths; stalker, horses who are never further back from the lead than 4 lengths; and closer or rally types, horses who are never closer than five lengths from the pace. Horses have been known to change styles, but the vast majority have consistent styles. True front runners always try for the lead when possible. Front runners are most effective when unchallenged early. The easier they are able to get a clear lead, the better the chances. Prefer front runners when there are few, if any, potential challengers or if a pronounced track bias favoring early speed exists. Otherwise, look more favorably upon those that can stalk or rally.
A stalker rarely makes the lead, and seldom possesses a big late kick. They have the speed to stay close and pass tiring front runners, and can hold off the big closers that lag well behind. Stalkers can make the lead if no front runners are in the race. Prefer stalkers when numerous front runners are present, and without the presence of a strong and fit rally or closer horse.
Rally or closers are best when an abundance of early speed exists and are often victimized when a front runner is loose on the lead. Playing rally or closers is more precarious than horses with speed as they can run into traffic problems. And, statistics show that horses closer to the lead win the majority of races. However, under certain circumstances, closers are a very positive choice.
TRAINER
Give careful consideration to the trainer, who is like the coach. Everyone knows that some coaches are superior to others and there can be a large discrepancy between the best and the worst. Trainers have a big job and must have a wealth of knowledge about a large number of facets of training a horse to race. They must not only be good horsemen, they must have excellent organizational skills in order to coordinate the efforts of an entire stable. Statistics point out the top trainers at the track and a handicapper that pays attention to the trainers of every horse in every race will soon have a good working knowledge of which ones are acceptable when making a final decision. If the trainer meets the handicapper's standards, he can move on to the next variable. But an elimination can be made if you feel the competence of the conditioner is in question.
JOCKEY
The role of the jockey is often understated. Checking out statistics at most tracks, a small percentage of riders win the great majority of the races. It takes a great deal of skill to ride a horse in a race. To suggest that all riders are equally proficient is ludicrous. Jockeys must possess good riding techniques, have strength, intelligence, good judgment and timing and have an ability to communicate with the horse. Some jockeys are far more proficient than others, and by perusing the statistics or by simply watching them day in and day out, one can learn which are the most reliable. When making a final decision, be sure the horse you select has an acceptable rider. When eliminating horses in fields with numerous contenders, you may be able to eliminate a horse because of the rider alone.
PRESENT FORM
When making a final selection it's important to determine that the horse is in good present form. Examining the finishes of his most recent races tells you if he's racing well and competitively. Statistics prove that horses that have recently won or have been reasonably close, win the majority of races. Most horses have form cycles in that they run well for a period of time, then tail off. Initially select horses that appear to be in form or rounding to form, and be wary of ones that have raced well, but show signs of tailing off. Sometimes horses that have not been close to winning of late are dropped in class and can still be considered viable choices, but the handicapper should expect that the horse in question at least showed some interest against better competition. Be careful not to give too much consideration to horses that are dropping down after showing no life at all as they may have lost their will to compete. After all, any horse can be last in a race. When making a final decision, it's a wise practice to play horses with good present form and eliminate those that are obviously off form.
CONSISTENCY
Before considering a horse a top contender, examine his record for the year and his lifetime record. A handicapper should look for horses that are more likely to run well than not. If they have finished in the money 50% of the time, they can be deemed consistent. Many horses with poor consistency records cannot be heavily relied upon to run well after a good effort the time before. So, despite a good recent race, they have shown a past tendency not to repeat strong performances. A horse coming off a good race returning in a similar situation is hard to disregard. But if he's shown a lack of past consistency, his lack of reliability would make it difficult to make a serious wager on him. A handicapper should demand consistency before making a horse a serious contender.
WEIGHT
Some handicappers use the weight carried by a horse as a critical factor. This is a controversial variable among astute handicappers. A truism is that weight will stop a freight train. However, determining how a few pounds, more or less, will affect a horse's performance isn't easy to assess. Race horses can weigh well over 1,000 pounds. So humans, who generally weigh about 80% less, would find it hard to understand how 10 pounds affects a horse in comparison to a much less sturdy and strong human. Proportionately speaking, one could assume that ten pounds to a human, which is significant, may feel like only two pounds to a horse. Obviously, two pounds is hardly enough to slow him down much.
If you decide to use weight as a handicapping variable, it would seem wise to consider it more important as the length of the race increases. It may also be prudent not to consider weight a factor unless it involves at least a difference of five pounds or more. You may also want to use weight if comparing horses in the same race if there is a significant switch in weights, like one horse taking off five pounds coming out of a race against a rival who may be adding five pounds. Generally, weight may play a lesser role than many have believed and without knowing each horse's capacity to carry weight, it may be impossible to use effectively. Nonetheless, for those who have found success using this variable, it may have a place in making a final decision.
SPEED FIGURES
Various speed figures (Beyers, etc.) have been compiled in recent years. These figures basically assign a number to each race run by a horse. Beyer numbers, for instance, are based almost exclusively by running times in conjunction with track conditions. Speed sheets, put out by Ragozin and others, also use difficulty of trip to determine the figure. Some arbitrary judgment made by the representative for each track also figures into the final number.
The number certainly reduces a horse's past performance to just digits and can be used to quickly identify the contenders. However, as speed figure producers suggest, the handicapper is implored to use other handicapping techniques to be used in conjunction with the number.
The numbers, if used, should be used more as a guide. Although at times, a horse with an apparently large advantage may be a play on the number alone. But, obviously no guarantee exists. Generally speaking, use speed figures as one of the many available handicapping tools.
Thoroughbred Racing Types
Stakes & Handicap
Graded stakes and handicap races are the highest level of racing and offer the best purse money. Consequently, the best horses usually compete in stakes competition. The owner must pay nomination fees and entry fees in order to run their horse. An example of an early nomination fee is the Kentucky Derby, when horses are nominated to all three Triple Crown races in mid-January, although the races are run in the Spring. Normally, nominations are due a few weeks before the race is scheduled to run. The owner also has to pay a fee to enter and run the horse as well. These fees are usually paid back in the purse in the form of "added" money. Added meaning in addition to the announced purse. The nominations generally include more horses than will run in the race. A horse may not be entered, even though they have paid to nominate, if the owner or trainer thinks the race will be too difficult to win, the horse is injured, or is entered in another race. If a stake is overfilled (more horses entered than are allowed to run), the conditions of the race will determine who gets to race. With handicap races, preference is given to those horses that have been assigned the most weight. The Racing Secretary assigns weights to horses in a handicap race, with the horses who have accomplished the most according to their past performances carrying the highest weight, while the least competitive horses will carry a lower weight. Assigning different weights is an attempt to level the playing field between competitors. There are also weight breaks for younger horses or for a filly racing against colts. Like any type of race, a stakes or handicap race will also contains age conditions like "two-year-olds" or "three and up."
Allowance Races
Allowance races are exactly like their name implies. Allowances are made or "conditions are set" in order for the horse to be eligible in that race. Examples of allowance races are: Non-Winners of 2 races other than maiden or claiming or Non-Winners of 3 races other than maiden or claiming. A horse that has never won two races might have a hard time winning a race against horses that have won three. There are often other conditions like "of a race since September 20, 2001". Sometimes there are monetary conditions, such as "Non-Winners of $11,000 lifetime" or "Non-Winners of $20,000 twice since June 1, 2002." A good handicapper will make note of these conditions and which horses in today's race fit them best. Some horses entered in the race may be competitive against Non-winners of three, but not against the Non-Winners of $20,000 twice. It depends on the trainer and owner, but often a horse will be run through all of their conditions before they are ever entered in a stakes race. (Two year olds are a common exception to this rule, due to the fact that their conditioned allowance races do not often get enough entrants when entries are taken for the race; ultimately leading to two year olds going from a maiden win straight into a stakes race.) Some feel that it is important to season a horse by going this route. Others feel that it is better to go after the better purses in stakes level racing. Some horses can't make the cut and go from the allowance to the claiming ranks and back over their careers.
Maiden Races
The term "maiden" refers to a horse that has never won a race. There are two types of maiden races: maiden special weight and maiden claiming. The maiden special weight race, also called a maiden allowance, is the highest quality. A horse cannot be claimed out of a maiden special weight race. As a general rule, the maiden special weight races have the best youngest horses on the racetrack and also often some of the best bred horses. The purses are also better than in a maiden claiming race. In maiden claiming races, all the horses are for sale at the price stated in the program. Claiming prices vary from track to track, and can range from $5,000 to $150,000.
Claiming Races
A claiming race means that the horses may be purchased by a licensed owner for the claiming price listed for that race. Every track has certain claiming guidelines, but generally there are certain rules that apply. As well as being licensed, the person making the claim also must have enough money in their horsemen's' bookkeeper account to pay for the horse, and they must have a trainer to pick up the horse after the race.
To make the actual claim, the owner or his authorized agent will fill out a "claim slip" with the relevant information (date, race, horse name, owner name, etc.) and deposit the slip in the claim box. There is usually a deadline to drop your claim, generally 15 minutes to post. In the event of more than one owner drops a claim on the same horse, the racing official in charge of claims, the claims clerk, will conduct a "shake" to determine who will become the new owner. The shake involves putting numbered pills, one representing each owner, in the pill bottle and pulling out a winning number. The horse is then picked up by its new owner/trainer after the race.
As mentioned when discussing a horse's class, not all horses are good enough to be top competitors in stakes level races. Claiming races are the great equalizer; basically the owner is setting the market value of the horse. If the horse is entered for a price that other trainers think is a good value, it is likely to be claimed. Conversely, if he is entered for too much, the horse often ends up being a long shot and having a slim chance of winning. Depending on the track, a horse may be entered anywhere from $5,000 to as high as $150,000. There is also another type of race called the optional claiming/allowance; a type of hybrid race that combines claiming horses with those still eligible for allowance conditions. In this case, the horses may be eligible to be claimed or they may be running for allowance conditions, and therefore are not eligible to be claimed. This type of race helps the Racing Secretary have a fuller field of horses and gives trainers a couple of options when their desired race does not fill when entries are taken.
Starter Allowance/Handicap Races
Similar to an allowance race, a horse entered in a starter allowance race cannot be claimed. The horse, however, must have run at or below a certain claiming level (for example "$8,000 or less") during a designated time period (for example "in 2002-2003"). A starter allowance can bring together a wide range of claiming and allowance horses. If the race is a handicap, then the Racing Secretary assigns weight to each horse similar to a stakes handicap.
Thoroughbred Wagering Tips
WAGER ON THE FAVORITE
The favorite is the horse with the lowest odds or the one on which the most money has been wagered. Favorites win approximately one third of the time. This is not necessarily a sound betting strategy as favorites can pay very little.
PURCHASE A TIP SHEET OR HANDICAPPING AID
These are prepared by professional handicappers and may provide useful betting selections. They are available for purchase from a couple of our past performance partners.
CLASS
Class is difficult to define, but it is unmistakable at the racetrack. Horses seem to sort themselves into competitive levels.
PACE
"Pace makes the race." This old racing expression points to another element to consider when placing your bets -- the pace of the race. A horse generally can't have it both ways. That is, he can't run extremely fast early and still have enough left in reserve to run fast late in the race.
A fast pace generally means that the horses on the front will tire out and thus help the runners that are closing ground. If the past performances indicate that there are several speed horses in a race, it might be a good idea to consider a horse that likes to rally in the stretch. On the other hand, a slow pace will help the horses near the front because they should have something left for the end of the race. In studying the past performances, you might find only one legitimate speed horse in a particular race.
If that horse gets loose on the front end and has the pace all to himself with no pressure being applied to him, he figures to have something left for the homestretch and should be hard to overtake.
TRAINERS AND JOCKEYS
It's always wise to take into account the human factor. Some trainers do well with 2-year-olds while others are particularly adept with horses shipping in from long distances. Some jockeys seem to ride better on the front end, and others are better known for their come-from-behind style. A good idea is to check the standings, which show the leading trainers and jockeys at the meeting.
CHANGES IN EQUIPMENT
Blinkers are used on horses to limit their vision and to prevent them from swerving from objects or other horses. It's worth noting changes in blinkers - a horse wearing them for the first time (or for the first time in a number of starts) or racing without them for the first time. Mud calks are used for off tracks. Calks, pointed extensions or cleats on a horseshoe, are designed to prevent a horse from slipping. Certain other equipment worn by the horses is noted in the past performances.
TRIP
It is important for a bettor to watch his horse during the running of the race and again on the replays after the race to observe what kind of trip he had. Was the horse squeezed back at the start, or carried wide on the turn, or blocked at the quarter pole? A horse that loses a race because of a troubled trip might be a good bet in his next start. Usually trouble encountered by a horse in a race is shown in the past performance lines.
WEIGHT
Weight, the old saying goes, will stop a freight train, so it's especially important to notice when horses are carrying considerably more weight than they did in their last start. Conversely, it's just as significant to watch for horses that are carrying much less weight than they did in their last outing. One theory is that weight plays a bigger role in long races, but another line of reason is that weight is every bit as important in sprints.
BREEDING
Breeding is an inexact science, but a careful study of pedigrees can enhance a bettor's chances at the races. Some horses are bred for speed, others have inherited stamina from their sires and dams and are able to run long distances and certain horses are bred for grass racing.
CONDITION
Condition may be the most difficult handicapping factor to master. It is defined as the fitness of a thoroughbred - how prepared he is to run a particular race. The dates of the horse's most recent workouts and races and the probable effects of this activity on his current condition are highly important. If a horse is racing for the first time in a month or so, a steady pattern of workouts is a good indication of fitness.
A good time for a workout generally is when a horse covers the distance in
12 seconds or less for each furlong - 36 seconds or less for three furlongs, 48 seconds or less for four furlongs, etc. A "short" horse is one not trained up to the last ounce of his energy and thus not fit enough for the race he's running in. He'll tire, and his stride will shorten before the end of the race.
MEDICATION
Lasix and Butazolidin are medications administered to racehorses. Lasix, a diuretic, is used to control bleeding (certain horses bleed from a ruptured vein - or veins - in the nostrils, the pharynx or the lungs), and Bute is an anti-inflammatory medication. Some handicappers pay close attention to a horse racing on Lasix or Bute for the first time, believing that these medications might enhance that runner's performance.
Bet America Harness Wagering Tips
There are many items to consider when wagering on harness racing. Here are some simple tactics which may be helpful to a new bettor:
THE DRIVER
Drivers, much as other athletes possess varying amounts of ability, and even the good ones have slumps. Fortunately, race tracks keep records of how a driver performs. Next to his or her name, you'll find statistics about their performance at the given track. For example, you might see something like this:
| JOE | DOKES | red-gr-blu | (112-23-15-11-.313) |
Simply stated, driver Dokes (who wears red, green and blue colors) has driven in 112 races, winning 23 of them, finishing second 15 times, and finishing third 11 times. His "Universal Driver Rating" -- a number calculated like a batting average -- is .313. Any number over .300 is considered excellent. At most racing locations, the program will include a listing of the track's leading drivers. The drivers may be listed by the Universal Driver Rating (UDR), or by the total number of wins. The most useful piece of information in the driver statistics is a driver's winning percentage.
The drivers who can "get 'em home first" at the highest rate should merit extra handicapping points. A horse that receives a switch from an unranked driver to a top-rate pilot should get further handicapping points. Often, though, the top drivers are bet heavily by the public, resulting in odds lower than what the horse's chances might truly warrant. Also, drivers not listed among the leaders may still qualify as a possible bet if the horse passes other handicapping tests, AND the unranked driver has driven the horse successfully in the past.
Top trainers, sometimes listed in your program, usually have their horses in peak condition and ready to win. As with drivers, isolate the trainers who have a high win percentage. A horse "claimed" in his last start (the "c" or "z" after the claiming price shows a claim) and moving into a top trainer's care may show dramatic improvement for his new stable.
CONSISTENCY
Consistency is perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of the standardbred horse. Good horses are able to perform well, week after week. Most racing programs will show records of these performances. In the upper left-hand portion of each horse's past performances, you'll see the fastest winning mile of the year listed, the number of starts, wins, seconds, thirds, and money won for the present and past years.
CLASS
Harness horses tend to race against other horses of comparable ability, and it's the job of the race secretary to design races that will bring together well-matched and competitive fields. Race types fall into various "classes," such as: conditioned races (grouping done by the horses' earnings and other factors); claiming races (grouping done by the estimated value of the horses); or "feature" events (Open, Invitation, Stakes, etc.).
The best way to judge whether a horse is moving "up" or "down" in class is to compare the purse of the race in question with the present race's purse. Within a given track's class structure, the purse is often a useful barometer; however, comparing purses from one track to another is a less reliable guide. Horses dropping in class are generally a good bet -- if they meet other handicapping criteria.
An edge in class is worth one or two handicapping points, as horses dropping in class are meeting softer competition tonight. Horses moving up, however, may still rate consideration if they have been winning impressively or posting fast times while facing horses in a lower class. Younger horses that have made only a few starts also may move in class readily, as their true class might not yet be established.
POST POSITION
Generally speaking, the inside post positions (numbers one through four) are an advantage, especially on half-mile tracks. Horses who do not have good post position risk the possibility of being "parked out" (marked by the "0" symbol in the program) and losing considerable ground while racing on the turns. The inside post position bias is most pronounced on half-mile tracks, where there is a short distance between the start and first turn.
The bias still exists on five-eighths-mile and mile tracks, but to a lesser extent. Most programs list the number of winners coming from each position, making the job of evaluating post positions easy. It's also important to check the racing style of a horse and figure out his likely racing position throughout the mile. If there are many horses whose past performance show early speed in a race, they may wear themselves out fighting among themselves, and a fast-finishing horse may catch them before the wire Similarly, a good come-from-behind horse from a bad post position may find other fast finishers in a better position than he is when he starts to make his move.
That horse may not be able to make up enough ground on his rivals to win. Finally, a horse who raced either spectacularly or poorly from a bad post position last week may have a better chance of winning from an inside starting slot tonight.
TIME
An important handicapping concept to understand is that the final time posted by a horse is not as important as his individual quarter-mile times. For example, "Able Almahurst" may race in a trailing position in a fast-paced race and merely finish in average time, but record a fast victory due to the fast early pace. "Baker Hanover," meanwhile, may trail far behind a slow pace and finish very rapidly, but not gain much ground during a fast final quarter.
Yet ... "Baker" may well be sharper than "Able!" A horse that "does work" (races on the lead or outside in a challenging position, or close strongly) in a fast quarter should get extra points in handicapping. Although fractional times are more important than final time, it is a fact that some horses are just faster than others. It is important to check how fast horses have been clocked in recent races, although the swiftest ones, and ones who are merely "sucked along" (stayed behind other horses in the pack), are often over bet by the public. Times posted at other tracks may be adjusted, when handicapping, by checking the "Comparative Speed Ratings" in the program.
Take the difference between the ratings and add or subtract the result to the time posted at the other track. It will show what the time might have been if the race had been at the track where the horse is on the present night.
FORM
Like any other athlete, a harness horse's performances cross peaks and valleys, but most every race winner has shown that he's been racing at or near top "form." In the most recent races listed for each horse in the racing program, the running positions (where the horse was in a race: 1st, 6th, etc.) are the indicators of form.
Horses tend to fall into two broad categories: those that race on or near the lead, and those that race farther back and come on strongly at the finish. Front-running horses displaying good form show that they can hold the lead all the way, while the latter type horses show come-from-behind rushes to either win or just miss. Changes in form can be spotted by comparing race lines week to week. Once a front-runner's past performance lines start to show he can't hold the lead all the way, he's going "off form." But when each line shows he's getting closer to going "wire-to-wire," he's coming back into form...and is worth a bet. Sometimes, though, what appears to be a downward swing in form may not be that at all.
A dull-appearing performance may be the result of an "off" track (sloppy, muddy, etc.), interference, show fractional times, or simply of having raced against horses of superior class. Horses must also race frequently to keep their form, and they compete on an average of every six to ten days. Long layoffs are almost always a bad sign.
Quarter Horse Wagering Tips
Straightaway American Quarter Horse racing is an all-out burst of speed from the starting gate with every horse trying to put a head in front at the finish. There is no time to maneuver for position or come from behind in the final stretch run as in Thoroughbred racing. Therefore, the experienced handicapper can concentrate on speed, class, jockey/trainer combinations and track conditions without having to spend any additional handicapping time trying to predict how the race will be run.
The American Quarter Horse may be America's most consistent athlete. In 1993, American Quarter Horse betting favorites finished in the money (first, second or third) 71% of the time, while winning 35%. Those are figures that can't be claimed by Thoroughbred or Standardbred racing! But that's not saying American Quarter Horse racing lacks the excitement of winning long shots. With 39% of the horses finishing first, second or third going off with odds of 5-1 or greater, you know the exotic wagers must have paid some handsome rewards.
The key is knowing how to cash in on those rewards yourself. But how? The answer is knowledge. If you're a smart handicapper you'll do your homework by learning everything you can about the horse, its rider, trainer, bloodline, competition and even the surface the horse will run on.
CLASS
Class is probably the most important factor in handicapping. Analyze everything you see, hear or read in the context of class. In the most basic sense, class refers to the ability to win, produce winners and develop high quality, competitive races. Class not only involves racehorses, but sires and dams, owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, races and even tracks. Think of class in terms of levels of excellence and a competitive edge. Here's an example of class in a racehorse compared to other athletes.
During the 1987 National Football League strike, many talented athletes replaced striking players. The replacements made for some exciting Sunday afternoons. But only a few of the replacements were able to keep their jobs when the striking players returned. The reason? They were simply not up to the superior play of the regulars. In other words, they were outclassed. The same can be true of a racehorse. For instance, a horse that may win with a fast time in claiming races would probably lose when going against horses that regularly participate in stakes race competition with similar race times.
Here's how class relates to a racetrack. A horse with a 96 speed index and first place finish at Sunland Park is not necessarily the same as a horse with a 96 speed index and first place finish at Remington Park. Although both are two of American Quarter Horse racing's finest racing facilities, Remington Park emphasizes American Quarter Horse racing, carries many more graded stakes and the average purse structure is significantly higher, thus attracting more of American Quarter Horse racing's premier performers.
BEFORE RACE DAY PREPARATIONS
In order to evaluate the entrants in any race, you'll need historical data or past performances, as they are called.
READING BETWEEN THE LINES
The past performance information for each horse in a race is there in black and white for everyone betting on the race to follow. The only way you can out-handicap the competition is if you can read between the lines.
RACE FREQUENCY
As many as 10 of a horse's past races are listed by date beginning with the most recent race. TIP - Look for excessive or irregular layoffs between races which could indicate a fitness problem that could keep the horse from running true to form. Conversely, look for a history of regular layoffs with an immediate return to peak form.
TRACK CONDITION
Weather can change a track's condition quickly. Dirt tracks are rated as follows: ft-fast; sy-sloppy; m-muddy; gd-good; sl-slow; hy-heavy; fr-frozen. TIP - Horses that performed well in conditions similar to today's could have the edge.
DISTANCE
There are three types of races in American Quarter Horse racing: short sprints of 220, 250, 300, 330 and 350 yards; long sprints of 400, 440, 550 and 660 yards; and distance or races around one turn of 770, 870 and 1,000 yards. TIP - Determine the horse's suitability to today's distance. A horse that performs well at short distances could fade during a longer race. And conversely, a horse that breaks slowly but performs well in the stretch may need the extra distance to win. In some cases, American Quarter Horses, which have not been top performers at short or long sprints, may become competitive at 870 yards.
TYPES OF RACES
Maiden, Speed Index, Trial, Claiming, Allowance, Handicap and Stakes. You'll find a more complete description later and in the glossary. TIP - Think of race classifications as levels of the class of horse they attract with stakes races being the highest and $2,000 maiden claiming the lowest. The conditions of a race (non-winners of two, three or four) or claiming prices ($2,000-$20,000) are significant differences in the same type of race.
POST POSITION
At certain times or conditions, tracks might have surfaces which favor the inside, middle or outside post positions. Most programs list the percentage of wins from each post position. Some horses also favor certain post positions. TIP - On races around the turn, unless a horse has a great deal of early speed to go to the front and take the inside rail, an outside post position is definitely a disadvantage. A fast-breaking horse that usually wins when it breaks first can have an edge when positioned with room to run. Look for horses that break well with a post position between two horses that generally do not get away fast. In straightaway races, the one hole is generally a disadvantage, while the outside might be an advantage.
POSITION CALLS
A horse's position during a race and its lengths behind the front-runner are generally described at four locations along the race: the break call at two strides or ten yards from the starting gate; the first stretch call at the 1/8 pole or 220 yards from the finish; the second stretch call at the 1/16 pole or 110 yards from the finish; and at the finish. TIP - Positioning and ability to make up ground can reveal a lot about the horse you're evaluating; his suitability to today's distance; and a pattern of improvement as the race progresses.
MEDICATIONS
The two types of legally permitted medications are Bute and Lasix. Bute is an anti-inflammatory drug used to reduce stiffness. Lasix is a diuretic used to treat respiratory bleeding some athletes experience. TIP - If a horse is on the first-time Lasix list and has shown good early performance in past races but has faded toward the end, the effects of Lasix might make a difference in his next race.
EQUIPMENT
The symbol "b" indicates the horse wore blinkers during a race. TIP - A horse which has been running erratically and shows to be wearing blinkers for the first time might be a good wager.
WEIGHT
The total amount of weight a horse is required to carry (including jockey and tack). TIP - In American Quarter Horse racing, weight is not a major factor in the shorter races. However, in races of 440 yards or more, it does have some importance. The horses with the best performance records may be required to carry the most weight in an attempt to make a more even contest. Look for a horse's ability to carry more weight in his previous races.
TIME AND INDIVIDUAL TIME
The time of the race (the winner's time) and the time of the individual horse are shown in seconds and hundredths of seconds. TIP - Use best recent times at today's distance, conditions and racetrack. Keep the different elements of class in mind while making your comparisons.
SPEED INDEX
The speed index is an evaluation of a horse's speed in a race versus the three fastest winning times for the same distance each year for the previous three years at the same racetrack. TIP - An average of best recent speed indexes is a good basis for comparison. Again, keep the elements of class, wind and track condition in mind.
JOCKEYS
At any given track, there is a broad range of talent. Generally speaking, the best horses will have the best riders (ones who can be found on the leading rider list in your program). TIP - Jockey changes can affect the outcome of a race. For instance, if you note that a leading jockey has been taken off his regular mount and switched to another, you could have a better chance of a winning wager on his new mount.
TRAINERS
As with jockeys, any given track will have a broad range of trainers, with varying degrees of expertise and experience. TIP - Pay attention to their winning percentages, not just their total wins, as a good trainer with a few horses will never lead the trainer's list. Try to keep track of a trainer's ability with different classes or ages of horses. Some trainers are better with claiming horses, while others concentrate on stakes performers.
BREEDING
A listing of horse's sire, dam and dam's sire. TIP - As a general rule, pedigree has a significant influence on a horse's natural ability to run. Keep note of the leading sires and dams as well as breeders and owners when considering class. This is especially true when handicapping two-year-olds and first-time starters.
MONEY LINE
The number of starts, wins, places (second), shows (thirds) and purse money won this year and last year. The lifetime total of wins and in-the-money (first, seconds and thirds) and lifetime purse money. TIP - Can be an indication of improvement or deterioration and class. Compare percentages of wins, in-the-money or average money earned per start.
Glossary of Horse Racing Terms
Across The Board - (See 'Place') A bet on a horse to win, place or show. Three wagers combined in one. If the horse wins, the player wins all three wagers, if second, two, and if third, one.
ADW Company – A company that accepts wagers via the internet or telephone from bettors who have deposited funds in advance.
Age - All thoroughbreds count January 1 as their birth date.
Agent - A person authorized to act on the behalf of a jockey or owner. Generally refers to a jockey's agent who lines up rides for him or her.
All-age Race - A race for two-year-olds and up.
All Out - A horse who is trying to the best of his ability.
Allowances - Reductions in weights to be carried allowed because of certain conditions such as; an apprentice jockey is on a horse, a female horse racing against males, or three-year-olds racing against older horses.
Allowance Race - A race where weights and eligibility to enter are determined by conditions set by the racing secretary.
All Weather Racing - Racing that takes place on an artificial surface.
Also Ran - Any selection not finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in a race or event.
Apprentice - A rider who has not ridden a specified amount of winners within a specific time period. These riders get weight allowances on all their mounts based on the number of winners they have. 10 pounds until the fifth winner, 7 pounds until the 35th winner and five pounds for one calendar year after the date of the 5th winner.
ART - Artificial Turf.
ATS - Against The Spread.
AWT - All weather track.
Baby Race - A race for two-year-olds.
Back - To bet or wager.
Backed - A 'backed' horse is one on which lots of bets have been placed.
Backed-In - A horse which is backed-in means that bettors have outlaid a lot of money on that horse, with the result being a decrease in the odds offered.
Backstretch - The straight way on the far side of the track.
Back Straight - The straight length of the track farthest away from the spectators and the winning post.
Barrier Draw - The ballot held by the race club to decide which starting stall each runner will occupy.
Beard (US) - A friend or acquaintance or other contact who is used to placing bets so that the bookmakers will not know the identity of the actual bettor. Many top handicappers and persons occupying sensitive positions use this method of betting
Bearing In (Out) - Failing to maintain a straight course, veering to the left or right. Can be caused by injury, fatigue, outside distraction, or poor riding.
Bell Lap - In harness racing, the last lap of a race, signified by the ringing of the bell.
Bet - A transaction in which monies are deposited or guaranteed.
Betting Board - A board used by the bookmaker to display the odds of the horses engaged in a race.
Bettor (US) - Someone who places or has a bet. A 'Punter' in the UK.
Beyer Number - A handicapping tool, popularized by author Andrew Beyer, assigning a numerical value to each race run by a horse based on final time and track condition. This enables different horses running at different racetracks to be objectively compared.
Blanket Finish - When the horses finish so close to the winning line you could theoretically put a single blanket across them.
Blinkers - A cup-shaped device applied over the sides of the horse's head near his eyes to limit his vision. This helps to prevent him from swerving away from distracting objects or other horses on either side of him. Blinker cups come in a variety of sizes and shapes to allow as little or as much vision as the trainer feels is appropriate.
Board - Short for 'Tote Board' on which odds, betting pools and other race information are displayed.
Bomb(er) - A winning horse sent off at very high odds.
Bookie - (U.K.) Short for bookmaker. The person or shop who accepts bets.
Box - A betting term denoting a combination bet whereby all possible numeric combinations are covered.
Boxed (in) - To be trapped between other horses.
Bobble - A bad step away from the starting gate, sometimes caused by the ground breaking away from under a horse and causing him to duck his head or go to his
Bolt - Sudden veering from a straight course.
Breakage - Those pennies that are left over in pari-mutuel payoffs which are rounded out to a nickel or dime.
Breeders' Cup - Thoroughbred racing's year-end championship. Known as Breeders' Cup Day, it consists of eight races conducted on one day at a different racetrack each year with purses and awards totaling $13 million. First run in 1984.
Bridge-Jumper (US) - Bettor who specializes in large show bets on odd-on favorites.
Buck (US) - A bet of US$ 100 (also known as a 'dollar bet').
Bug - See apprentice. The mark (*) placed next to the apprentice riders names in the program resembles a squashed bug so they came to be called bug riders.
Bug Boy - An apprentice rider.
Bull Ring - Small racetrack less than one mile around.
Card - Another term for a number of races held on one day.
Caulk - Projection on the bottom of a shoe to give the horse better traction, especially on a wet track.
Chalk - Wagering favorite in a race. Dates from the days when on-track bookmakers would write current odds on a chalkboard.
Chalk Player - Bettor who wagers on favorites.
Checked - A horse pulled up by his jockey for an instant because he is cut off or in tight quarters.
Chute - Extension of the backstretch or homestretch to allow a longer straight run.
Claiming Race - A race where horses are entered for a specified price and can be claimed (purchased) from the race for that price. Claimers are horses who generally run only in claiming races.
Classic - A race for three-year-olds, such as a Derby or Oaks, that has a long standing tradition behind it. The American classics are the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
Clerk of Scales - The official who is responsible for weighing the riders before and after a race to ensure proper weight is carried.
Clocker - The person who times the morning workouts.
Closer - A horse that runs best in the latter part of the race (closing race), coming from off the pace.
Co-Favorites - Where two or more competitors share the status as favorite.
Colors - Racing silks, the jacket and cap worn by jockeys. Silks can be generic and provided by the track or specific to one owner.
Colt - An ungelded male horse four-years-old or younger.
Combination Bet - Selecting any number of teams/horses to finish first and second in either order.
Correct Weight - Horses are allocated a weight to carry that is checked before and at least the place getters, after a race. Correct weight must be signaled before bets can be paid out.
Daily Double - Type of wager calling for the selection of winners of two consecutive races, usually the first and second. Doubles held later in the race card are called 'Late Doubles'.
Daily Racing Form - A daily newspaper containing racing information including news, past performance data and handicapping.
Dead Heat - A tie. Two or more horses finishing equal in a race.
Dead Track - Racing surface lacking resiliency.
Declaration Of Weights - The publication of weights allocated to each horse nominated for a race by the handicapper.
Declared - In the United States, a horse withdrawn from a stakes race in advance of scratch time. In Europe, a horse confirmed to start in a race.
Deductions - When a horse is scratched from a race after betting on that race has already started, deductions are taken out of the win and place bets at a rate in proportion to the odds of the scratched horse.
Derby - A stakes event for three-year-old colts (males).
Dime (US) - A bet of USD$ 1,000 (also known as a 'dime bet').
Distanced - Well beaten, finishing a long distance behind the winner.
Dividend - The amount that a winning or placed horse returns for every $1 bet by the bettor.
Dog (US) - The underdog in any betting proposition.
Dog Player (US) - A bettor who mainly wagers on the underdog.
Draw - Refers to a horse's placing in the starting stalls. For flat racing only. Stall numbers are drawn at random.
Driving - Strong urging by rider.
Eclipse Award - Thoroughbred racing's year-end awards, honoring the top horses in 11 separate categories.
Equibase (Company) - A partnership between The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations to establish and maintain an industry-owned, central database of racing records. Equibase past-performance information is used in track programs across North America.
Equivalent Odds - Mutuel price horses would pay for each $1 bet.
Evenly - Neither gaining nor losing position or distance during a race.
Exacta - (Also, Perfecta) A wager that picks the first two finishers in a race in the exact order of finish. (Straight Forecast in the UK.)
Exacta Box - A wager in which all possible combinations using a given number of horses are covered.
Exotic (wager) - Any wager other than win, place or show.
Exposure - The amount of money one actually stands to lose on a game or race.
Extended - Forced to run at top speed.
False Favorite - A horse that is a race favorite despite being outclassed by others.
Faltered - A horse that was in contention early in the race but drops back in the late stages.
Fast (track) - Optimum condition for a dirt track that is dry, even, resilient and fast.
Favorite - The most popular horse in a race, which is quoted at the lowest odds because it is deemed to have the best chance of winning the race.
Feature Races - Top races.
Fence - The inside fence is the inside running rail around the race track, while the outside fence is the outside running rail.
Field - All the runners in a race.
Field Horse or Mutuel Field - Two or more starters running as a single betting unit, when there are more entrants than positions on the tote board can accommodate.
Filly - Female horse four-years-old or younger.
Firm (track) - A condition of a turf course corresponding to fast on a dirt track. A firm, resilient surface.
First Up - The first run a horse has in a new campaign or preparation.
Fixed Odds - Your dividend is fixed at the odds when you placed your bet.
Flash (US) - Change of odds information on tote board.
Flatten Out - When a horse drops his head almost in a straight line with his body, generally from exhaustion.
Foal - A baby horse, usually refers to either a male or female horse from birth to
January 1st of the following year.
Form - Statistics of previous performance and comment as to the expected current performance of a runner, useful in deciding which runner to bet on.
Form Player - A bettor who makes selections from past-performance records.
Front-runner - A horse whose running style is to attempt to get on or near the lead at the start of the race and stay there as long as possible.
Frozen (track) - A condition of a racetrack where any moisture present is frozen.
Furlong - One-eighth of a mile or 220 yards or 660 feet (approx. 200 meters).
Futures -Bets placed in advance predicting the outcome of a future event.
Gait - Harness horses are divided into two distinct groups, pacers or trotters, depending on their gait when racing. The gait is the manner in that a horse moves its legs when running. The pacer is a horse with a lateral gait, whereas a trotter or square-gaiter has a diagonal gait.
Gate - Another term for barrier, or position a horse will start from.
Gelding - A male horse that has been castrated.
Going - The condition of the racecourse (firm, heavy, soft, etc.).
Good (track) - Condition between fast and slow, generally a bit wet. A dirt track that is almost fast or a turf course slightly softer than firm.
Graded Race - Established in 1973 to classify select stakes races in North America, at the request of European racing authorities, who had set up group races two years earlier. Always denoted with Roman numerals I, II, or III. Capitalized when used in race title (the Grade I Kentucky Derby).
Graduate - Winning for the first time.
Green - An inexperienced horse.
Groom - The person who takes direct care of one or more horses, washing, grooming, and feeding them.
Group Race - An elite group of races. Established in 1971 by racing organizations in Britain, France, Germany and Italy to classify select stakes races outside North America. Collectively called 'Pattern Races'. Equivalent to North American graded races. Always denoted with Arabic numerals 1, 2, or 3. Capitalized when used in race title (the Group 1 Epsom Derby).
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.
Handicap - 1) Race for which the track handicapper assigns the weights to be carried. Each horse is allocated a different weight to carry, the theory being all horses then run on a fair and equal basis.. 2) To make selections on the basis of past performances.
Handicapper - The official who decides the weights to be carried in handicap events, and the grading of horses and greyhounds.
Hand Ride - The jockey urges a horse with the hands and arms without using the whip.
Hard (track) - A condition of a turf course where there is no resiliency to the surface.
Head - A margin between horses. One horse leading another by the length of its head.
Head Of The Stretch (also Top of the Stretch) - Beginning of the straight run to the finish line.
Heavy (track) - Wettest possible condition of a turf course, similar to muddy but slower; not usually found in North America.
Hedge - The covering of a bet with a second bet.
High Weight - Highest weight assigned or carried in a race.
Home Turn - The final turn a horse must travel around before entering the home straight in the run to the finish line.
Horse - When reference is made to sex, a 'horse' is an ungelded male five-years-old or older.
Horse Identifier - The person who checks the lip tattoo of each horse as they enter the paddock to make sure the correct horses are running in the race.
Hot Walker - Someone who walks horses to cool them out after workouts or races.
Hung - A horse holding the same position, unable to make up distance on the winner.
Impost - Weight carried or assigned.
In Hand - Running under moderate control, at less than best pace.
Inquiry - Reviewing the race to check into a possible infraction of the rules. Also, a sign flashed by officials on the tote board on such occasions. If lodged by a jockey, it is called an objection.
In The Money - Describes the horses in a race that finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd (and sometimes 4th) or the horses on which money will be paid to bettors, depending on the place terms.
Invitational Race - A stakes race open only to horses who are invited to enter.
Generally no entry fee is charged.
Judge - The person who declares the official placing for each race.
Juice - The bookmaker's commission, also known as vigorish or vig.
Jumper - Steeplechase or hurdle horse.
Juvenile - Two-year-old horse.
Key Horse - The main expected winning horse used in multiple combinations in an exotic wager.
Late Double - A second daily double offered during the latter part of the program. See 'Daily Double' above.
Lay Off, Layoff - Bets made by one bookmaker with another bookmaker, in an effort to reduce his liability in respect of bets already laid by him with investors.
Length - A measurement approximating the length of a horse from nose to tail, about 8 feet, used to denote distance between horses in a race. For example, "Secretariat won the Belmont by 31 lengths".
Lengthen - The opposite of 'Shorten'. Referred to odds getting longer, that is, more attractive to the bettor.
Listed Race - A stakes race just below a group race or graded race in quality.
Lock - Slang for a "sure thing" winner.
Long Odds - More than 10:1.
Long Shot - (Also, Outsider) A runner is often referred to as being a long shot, because of the fact it is returning high odds and is therefore deemed to have little chance of winning the race.
Lug In (Out) - Action of a tiring horse, bearing in or out, failing to keep a straight course.
Maiden - 1) A horse or rider that has not won a race. 2) A female that has never been bred.
Maiden Race - A race for non-winners.
Mare - Female horse five-years-old or older.
Market - The list of all horses engaged in a race and their respective odds.
Meeting - A collection of races conducted by a club on the same day or night forms a race meeting.
Middle Distance - Broadly, from seven furloughs to 1-1/16 miles.
Mile Rate - In harness racing it is the approximate time a horse would have run per mile (1609 meters).
Minus Pool - A mutuel pool caused when a horse is so heavily played that, after deductions of state tax and commission, there is not enough money left to pay the legally prescribed minimum on each winning bet. The racing association usually makes up the difference.
Money Rider - A rider who excels in rich races.
Morning Glory - Horse who performs well in morning workouts but fails to fire in actual races.
Morning Line - Approximate odds quoted before betting begins.
Mudder - A horse that races well on muddy tracks.
Muddy (track) - A condition of a racetrack which is wet but has no standing water.
Mutuel Pool - Short for 'Pari-mutuel Pool'. Sum of the wagers on a race or event, such as the win pool, daily double pool, exacta pool, etc.
Mutuel Clerk - The person at the window who takes your bets. Also called a teller.
National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) - A non-profit, membership organization created in 1997 to improve economic conditions and public interest in Thoroughbred racing.
Neck - Unit of measurement about the length of a horse's neck.
Nickel - A $500 wager.
Nod - Lowering of head. To win by a nod, a horse extends its head with its nose touching the finish line ahead of a close competitor.
Nominations - The complete list of runners entered by owners and trainers for a race.
Nose - Smallest advantage a horse can win by. Called a short head in Britain.
Nursery - A handicap for two-year-old horses.
Oaks - A stakes event for three-year-old fillies (females).
Objection - Claim of foul lodged by rider, patrol judge or other official after the running of a race. If lodged by official, it is called an inquiry.
Odds - The view of the chance of a competitor winning The figure or fraction by which a bookmaker or totalisator offers to multiply a bettor's stake, which the bettor is entitled to receive (plus his or her own stake) if their selection wins.
Odds-against - Where the odds are greater than evens (e.g. 5 to 2). When the totalisator stake is greater than the bettor's stake. For example, a horse that is quoted at 4:1 would be odds against, because if it wins a race, the bookmaker or totalisator returns $4 for every dollar a bettor places on that horse, plus his or her original outlay.
Oddsmaker - A person who sets the betting odds. (Sportsbooks or Bookies don't set the odds. Most major sportsbooks use odds set by Las Vegas oddsmakers.)
Odds-On - Odds of less than even money. This a bet where you have to outlay more than you win. For example if a horse is two to one Odds-On, you have to outlay two dollars to win one dollar and your total collect if the horse wins is three dollars. That is made up of your two dollars and the one dollar you win.
Official - Sign displayed when result is confirmed. Also racing official.
Off the Board (US) - A horse so lightly bet that its pari-mutuel odds exceed 99 to 1. Also, a game or event on which the bookie will not accept action.
Off-Track Betting (OTB) - Wagering at legalized betting outlets.
On The Board - Finishing among the first three.
On The Nose - Betting a horse to win only.
Outlay - The money a bettor wagers is called his or her outlay.
Out Of The Money - A horse that finishes worse than third.
Outrider - The person who rides the horses that accompany the race horses to the post and catches any horses who get loose.
Outsider - A horse that is not expected to win. An outsider is usually quoted at the highest odds.
Overlay - A horse going off at higher odds than it appears to warrant based on its past performances.
Overnight Race - A race in which entries close a specific number of hours before running (such as 48 hours), as opposed to a stakes race for which nominations close weeks and sometimes months in advance.
Over The Top - When a horse is considered to have reached its peak for that season.
Overweight - Surplus weight carried by a horse when the rider cannot make the assigned weight.
Pacesetter - The horse that is running in front (on the lead).
Paddock - Area where horses are saddled and kept before post time.
Panel - A slang term for a furlong.
Pari-mutuel(s) - A form of betting originated in 1865 by Frenchman Pierre Oller in which all money bet is divided up among those who have winning tickets, after taxes, takeout and other deductions are made. Oller called his system 'Parier Mutuel' meaning 'Mutual Stake' or 'betting among ourselves'. As this betting method was adopted in England it became known as 'Paris Mutuals', and soon after 'Pari-mutuels'.
Parlay - Using the winnings from one bet to place the next bet. Or a multiple bet. A kind of 'let-it-ride' bet. Making simultaneous selections on two or more races with the intent of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet of the following race selected, and so on. All the selections made must win for you to win the parlay.
Part Wheel - Using a key horse or horses in different, but not all possible, exotic betting combinations.
Phone TAB - Another phone betting service, provided by a totalisator which allows people with special betting accounts to place bets via the telephone. Much the same as a bank account, you must have a credit balance to be able to place a bet. The cost of the investment is debited to your account, and winning dividends and refunds are automatically credited to your account.
Photo Finish - A photo is automatically taken as the horses pass the winning line and when the race is too close to be judged the photo taken by a finish-line camera is used to determine the order of finish.
Picks - Betting selections, usually by an expert.
Pick Four – A type of wager in which the winners of four consecutive races must be selected.
Pick Six - A type of wager in which the winners of six consecutive races must be selected.
Pick Three - A type of wager in which the winners of three consecutive races must be selected. A Rolling Pick Three allows continuous betting the winners of three races eg. Race 1,2,3, Race 2,3,4, Race 3,4,5...etc.
Place - Second position at finish.
Place Bet - Wager on a horse to finish first or second.
Point Spread - (Also, Line or Handicap) The points allocated to the 'underdog' to level the odds with the 'favorite'.
Pole(s) - Markers at measured distances around the track designating the distance from the finish. The quarter pole, for instance, is a quarter of a mile from the finish, not from the start.
Pool - Mutuel pool, the total sum bet on a race or a particular bet.
Post - 1) Starting point for a race. 2) An abbreviated version of post position. For example, "He drew post four". 3) As a verb, to record a win. For example, "He's posted 10 wins in 14 starts".
Post Position - Position of stall in starting gate from which a horse starts.
Post Time - Designated time for a race to start.
Price - The odds.
Protest - When a jockey, owner, trainer or steward alleges interference by one party against another during a race that may have affected the outcome of a race. If a protest is upheld by officials, the runner that caused the interference is placed directly after the horse interfered with. If a protest is dismissed by officials, the original result of the race stands.
Punt – A U.K. term for bet or wager.
Punter – A U.K. Bettor or investor.
Pull Up - To stop or slow a horse during or after a race or workout.
Quinella - Wager in which the first two finishers must be picked in either order. Payoff is made no matter which of the two wins and which runs second.
Race Caller - The person who describes the race at a racecourse.
Racecard - A program for the day's racing.
Racing Secretary - The official who writes the conditions of races and assigns weights for handicap races.
Rail Runner - Horse that prefers to run next to the inside rail.
Ratings - Tipsters may determine a set of ratings which reflect, in their opinion, each runner's chance of winning a particular race taking a number of factors into account when preparing them.
Restricted Races - Races which only certain horses are eligible.
Return - The dividend you receive on a particular bet.
Route - Broadly, a race distance of longer than 1-1/8 miles.
Route Race - A race run at a mile or longer, generally around two turns.
Router - Horse that performs well at longer distances.
Run Free - A horse going too fast.
Runner - A participant in a race. In US, a sportsbooks employee who gathers information on the progress of betting elsewhere on the course. Also, a messenger 'running' to and from pari-mutuel windows for occupants of clubhouse boxes.
Scale Of Weights - Fixed weights to be carried by horses in a race according to age, distance, sex, and time of year.
Scratch - To be taken out of a race before it starts. Trainers usually scratch horses due to adverse track conditions or a horse's adverse health. A veterinarian can scratch a horse at any time.
Scratch Sheet - Daily publication that includes graded handicaps, tips and scratches.
Second Call - A secondary mount of a jockey in a race in the event his primary mount is scratched.
Selections - The horses selected by a knowledgeable person (Tipster) to have the most likely chance of finishing in first, second and third place. This may also refer to a person's own selections - the horses they have chosen to back.
Shadow Roll - Usually a lamb's wool roll half way up the horse's face to keep him from seeing his own shadow.
Shorten, Shortening the Odds - When the odds of a horse decrease, usually because a lot of money has been wagered on that horse.
Short Runner - A horse who barely stays, or doesn't stay, the full distance of a race.
Short Price - Low odds, meaning a punter will get little return for their initial outlay.
Show - Third position at the finish.
Show Bet - Wager on a horse to finish in the money; third or better.
Shut Out (US) - What happens to a bettor who gets on the betting line to late and is still waiting in line when the window closes. Also, in sports betting, when the losing team do not score.
Silks - See 'Colors'.
Simulcast - A simultaneous live television transmission of a race to other tracks, off-track betting offices or other outlets for the purpose of betting.
Single - A Straight bet on one selection to win one race or event, also known as a straight-up bet.
Sire - Father of a horse.
Six-Dollar Combine (US) - An across-the-board bet in racing. The wagers are Win, Place and Show.
Sloppy (track) - A track that is wet on surface, with standing water visible, with firm bottom.
Slow (track) - A racing strip that is wet on both the surface and base. Between good and heavy.
Smart Money - Insiders' bets or the insiders themselves.
Soft (track) - Condition of a turf course with a large amount of moisture. Horses sink very deeply into it.
Spot Play (US) - Type of play in which bettor risks money only on types of races and horses which seem relatively worthwhile risks.
Sprint Race - A race run at less than a mile, generally with only one turn.
Stake - The prize money for the winning horses paid to the owner (eg. trophy or prize money).
Stakes - The sums of money deposited or guaranteed by the parties to a bet.
Stakes Horse - A horse whose level of competition includes mostly stakes races.
Stakes Placed - Finished second or third in a stakes race.
Stakes Race - A race for which an owner must pay an entry fee to run his horse. The fees can be for nominating, maintaining eligibility, entering and starting, and are generally added to the amount put up by the track to make up the total purse.
Stallion - A male horse used for breeding.
Standing Start - In harness racing, starters start from a standing position, once the barrier across the track is released.
Starter - The person responsible for starting a race.
Starting Gate - Partitioned mechanical device having stalls in which the horses are confined until the starter releases the doors in front to begin the race.
Starting Price (or SP) - An estimation of odds available when the race starts.
Starting Stalls - Mechanical gates that ensure all horses start in unison.
Stayer - A horse that can race long distances.
Stewards - The top officials of a race meet who are responsible for enforcing the rules of racing.
Stewards Enquiry - An enquiry by the stewards into a race.
Stickers - Calks on shoes which give a horse better traction in mud or on soft tracks.
Stooper (US) - Those who make a living picking up discarded mutuel tickets at racetracks and cashing those that have been thrown away by mistake.
Straight - Betting to win only.
Stretch (home-Stretch) - Final straight portion of the racetrack to the finish.
Stretch Runner - Horse that runs its fastest nearing the finish of a race.
Stretch Turn - Bend of track into homestretch.
Stud - 1) Male horse used for breeding. 2) A breeding farm.
Superfecta - A bet placed on four horses to cross the finish line in exact chosen order.
Sure Thing - A horse which a tipster believes is unbeatable in a race.
Synthetic Surface – Any racing surface other than Dirt or Turf (Grass). Also called a Cushion Track
System - A method of betting, usually mathematically based, used by a bettor to try to get an advantage.
Takeout - Commission deducted from mutuel pools which is shared by the track, horsemen (in the form of purses) and local and state governing bodies in the form of tax. Take out rates are lower for Win, Place and Show pools and higher for exotic wagers.
Taken Up - A horse pulled up sharply by his rider because of being in close quarters.
Teller - See mutuel clerk.
The Jockey Club - An organization dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing. Incorporated Feb. 10, 1894 in New York City, The Jockey Club serves as North America's Thoroughbred registry, responsible for the maintenance of 'The American Stud Book', a register of all Thoroughbreds foaled in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada; and of all Thoroughbreds imported into those countries from jurisdictions that have a registry recognized by The Jockey Club and the International Stud Book Committee.
Thoroughbred - A Thoroughbred is a horse whose parentage traces back to any of the three 'Founding Sires' the Darley Arabian, Byerly Turk and Godolphin Barb, and who has satisfied the rules and requirements of The Jockey Club and is registered in 'The American Stud Book' or in a foreign stud book recognized by The Jockey Club and the International Stud Book Committee. Any other horse, no matter what its parentage, is not considered a Thoroughbred for racing and/or breeding purposes.
Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA) - An industry group comprised of many of the racetracks in North America.
Ticket - The betting slip or ticket which is received by the bettor from the bookmaker or totalisator, as proof of his or her wager. The ticket is necessary to collect the dividends.
Tips - The selections chosen by an expert to bet on (also known as Picks). See 'Selections'.
Tipster - A person who makes selections for a race, providing tips on which horses they believe will win the first three places.
Top Weight - See 'High Weight'.
Totalisator - The system of betting on races (an automated system that dispenses and records betting tickets, calculates and displays odds and payoffs and provides the mechanism for cashing winning tickets) in which the winning bettors share the total amount bet, minus a percentage for the operators of the system, taxes etc. Synonyms: Tote, Pari-mutuel.
Tote - Totalisator. The organization appointed to receive bets and supply dividends in proportion to the amount of the investment. A body in the UK set up to operate pool-betting on all racecourses.
Tote Board - The (usually) electronic totalisator display in the infield which reflects up-to-the-minute odds. It may also show the amounts wagered in each mutuel pool as well as information such as jockey and equipment changes, etc. Also known as the 'Board'.
Tote Returns - Returns from a tote pool (also known as a Dividend), calculated by taking the total stake in each pool (after the take out) and dividing it by the number of winning tickets. A dividend is declared to a fixed stake, for various win, place and forecast pools.
Tout - Person who professes to have, and sells, advance information on a race. Also used as a verb meaning to sell or advertise.
Track Condition - Condition of the racetrack surface. Slow; Fast; good; muddy; sloppy; frozen; hard; firm; soft; yielding; heavy.
Track Record - Fastest time for a distance at a particular track.
Trail - Racing immediately behind another horse. A trail is also known as a sit.
Trainer - The person who trains the horses, is responsible for their well being, and makes the decisions about where and when they will race. A trainer must hold a license or permit to be entitled to train.
Trifecta - A wager picking the first three finishers in exact order. Called a 'Triactor' in Canada and a 'Triple' in some parts of the U.S. ('Tricast' in the UK.)
Trifecta Box - A trifecta wager in which all possible combinations using a given number of horses are bet upon. The total number of combinations can be calculated according to the formula (x3)-(3x2)+(2x), where x equals the amount of horses in the box. The sum of the formula is then multiplied by the amount wagered on each combination.
Triple Crown - Used generically to denote a series of three important races, but is always capitalized when referring to historical races for three-year-olds. In the United States, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. In England the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and St. Leger Stakes. In Canada, the Queen's Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes and Breeders' Stakes.
Trotting - A term for harness racing in general. It also describes the specific gait of a trotter.
Turf Course - Grass course.
Unbackable - A horse which is quoted at short odds that bettors decide is too short to return any reasonable amount for the money they outlay.
Underlay - A horse racing at shorter odds than seems warranted by its past performances.
Under Starters Orders (or Under Orders) - The starting of a race.
Under Wraps - Horse under stout restraint in a race or workout.
Valet - The person who takes care of a jockey's tack and silks and helps him change for the next race.
Value - Getting the best odds on a wager.
Wager - Another term for bet.
Walkover - A race in which only one horse competes.
Warming Up - Galloping horse on way to post.
Weigh In (Out) - The certification, by the clerk of scales, of a rider's weight before (after) a race. A jockey weighs in fully dressed with all equipment except for his/her helmet, whip and (in many jurisdictions) flak jacket.
Welch - To fail to pay a gambling bet.
Wheel - Betting all possible combinations in an exotic wager using at least one horse as the key. See 'Part Wheel'.
Wheeling - A racing system devised for the daily double bet in which the bettor backs one horse in the first race and every horse in the second.
Weight-For-Age - The purpose of weight-for-age is to allow horses of different age and sex to compete on equal terms. The weight a horse carried is allocated on a set scale according to its sex and age.
Whip - Instrument or a stick, usually of leather, with which rider strikes horse to increase his speed.
Win - The term used to describe a 1st place finish.
Win Bet - Wager on a horse to finish first.
Winning Post - The finishing line of a race. (Also, The Post.)
Wire - The finish line of a race.
Wise Guy - A knowledgeable handicapper or bettor.
With the Field - Having one horse linked with all the other horses in an event. It can apply to forecasts or in doubles.
Yearling - A horse in its second calendar year of life, beginning January 1 of the year following its birth.
Yielding - Condition of a turf course with a great deal of moisture. Horses sink into it noticeably.
Copyright 2007-2011 BETAMERICA.com. All rights reserved.
BetAmerica.com is a fully U.S. Licensed, Based & Regulated Horse Racing Betting Site.
Providing fast service and payouts
