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Racing Terms
Allowance Race
|
A race in which a horse is entered according to eligibility conditions, usually the number of races it has won or money it has earned. Allowance races are a level above claiming races but a level below stakes races. |
Blacksmith
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A person who trims and shoes thoroughbred’s hoofs (also known as a farrier). |
Broodmare
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A female horse in foal or previously used for breeding. |
Claiming Race
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A race in which each thoroughbred carries a price tag indicating the amount for which another owner can buy the thoroughbred out of the race. |
Class
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The level of quality and difficulty of a race, or in reference to a thoroughbred, its ability to be competitive with quality horses. |
Closer
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A thoroughbred race horse that prefers racing with a rallying trip, coming from behind late in a race. |
Colt
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A male thoroughbred under 5 years old. |
Conformation
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The structure of a thoroughbred’s body, as determined by the arrangement and harmony of its parts. |
Dam
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The female parent of a thoroughbred. |
Fast
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The condition of a dirt track when it is dry and firm. |
Filly
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A female thoroughbred under 5 years of age. |
Firm
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The condition of a turf track when it is dry and relatively hard. |
Foal
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The young offspring of a thoroughbred. |
Fractions
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A race’s internal time splits, measured at regular intervals such as a furlong. |
Furlong
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One-eighth of a mile, the basic unit of distance in thoroughbred horse racing. |
Gelding
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A castrated male thoroughbred. |
Good
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The condition of a dirt or turf track when it has absorbed some rain but maintains a relatively even, firm surface. |
Horse
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A male thoroughbred 5 years old or older that has not been castrated. |
In foal
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A pregnant broodmare. |
Length
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A distance equal to the size of a thoroughbred’s body. |
Maiden
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A thoroughbred race horse who has never won a race. |
Mare
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A female thoroughbred 5 years old or older. |
Muddy
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The condition of a dirt track when it has absorbed enough rain that the surface is saturated. |
Optional Claimer
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A race in which a thoroughbred may enter either under the Allowance conditions stated or for the designated claiming price. |
Place
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When a thoroughbred race horse finishes second. |
Purse
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The amount of money allotted to a race with a typical payout of 60% to the winner, 20% to 2nd place, 10% to 3rd place, 5% to 4th place, 3% to fifth place and 2% to 6th place. |
Route
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A race of a mile or longer. |
Show
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When a thoroughbred finishes third. |
Sire
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A stallion that has produced a foal. |
Sloppy
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The condition of a dirt track when it has absorbed enough rain that the surface is soft and uneven. |
Soft
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The condition of a turf track when it has absorbed enough rain that the surface is saturated. |
Soundness
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The physical condition of a thoroughbred. |
Speed Horse
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A thoroughbred race horse that prefers racing in front of other runners at a rapid early pace. |
Sprint
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A race less than a mile long. |
Stakes Race
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The most prestigious race level run for a high purse and frequently requiring nomination, entry and starting fees. |
Stallion
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A male thoroughbred used for breeding. |
Stalker
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A thoroughbred that prefers racing a bit behind the speed horses, then surging at a critical stage in a race. |
Starter Allowance
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An allowance race in which a thoroughbred may enter only if it has run in a recent claiming race at or below a designated claiming price. |
Trip
|
The course of action a thoroughbred encounters during a race. |
Turf Race
|
A race run on grass, as opposed to the majority of (North American) races, which are run on dirt. |
Variant
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The difference from average time for races of the same distance by the same class horses at the same track on different days, due to weather and track condition. |
Weanling
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A foal that is less than 1 year old. |
Yearling
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A 1 year old thoroughbred. |
Yielding
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The condition of a turf track when it has absorbed enough rain that the surface is soft and uneven. |