Horse Betting Jargon
A | B | C | D | E
F | G | H | I | J
K | L | M | N | O
P | Q | R | S | T
U | V | W | X | Y | Z
F
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.
G
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.
H
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.
I
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.
J
Judge
The official who declares the placing for each race.
Juvenile
A two-year-old horse.
L
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.
M
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.