Filly

A female horse, age three or under.

First-Over

A horse racing on the outside without another horse directly in front of him or her. A foreshortening of the phrase first overland.

Foal

A newly-born horse. (Noun) The act of giving birth. (Verb)

Furlong

One-eighth of a mile or 220 yards. Races are measured in furlongs.

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Gelding

A castrated animal.

Going

The condition of the racecourse (firm, heavy, soft, etc.). Official Jockey Club going reports progress as follows: Heavy - soft - good to soft - good - good to firm - firm.

Green Horse

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

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Handicap

A race for which a handicapper assigns weights to be carried. Also, to handicap a race, to make selections on the basis of the past performances.

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.

Horse

A male horse, age four and up.

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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.

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Judge

The official who declares the placing for each race.

Juvenile

A two-year-old horse.

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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.

Long Odds

Odds which are greater than 10:1.

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Maiden

A horse (male or female) who has never won a racing purse.

Mare

A female horse, age four and up.

Matinee

A program of racing conducted during the daylight hours.

Morning Line

Approximate odds printed in the program and posted before wagering begins. This is a forecast of how the morning line maker believes wagering will occur in a particular race.

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