A bet on a horse to win, place and show. If the horse wins, the player collects three ways; if second, two ways; if third, one way.

Fails to finish in the money: first, second or third.

Straight portion of the far side of the racing surface between the turns.

First run in 1867, the Belmont is three weeks after the Preakness at Belmont Park on Long Island before 60,000 to 80,000 spectators. [more...]

Runs best in the latter part of the race, coming off the pace.

Generally, the turn on a racing oval that is closest to the clubhouse or main grandstand; usually the first turn beyond the finish line.

Male thoroughbred 4 years old and under.

Type of wager calling for the selection of winners of two consecutive races, usually the first and second.

The track area very close to the finish line.

A horse that goes all out to win under strong urging from the jockey.

A horse that is gently pulled up during a race.

A wager in which the first two finishers in a race, in exact order of finish, must be picked.

Any wager other than win, place or show.

The horses in a race.

Female thoroughbred under 5 years old.

A horse whose running style is to get on or near the lead at the start of a race and continue there as long as possible.

One-eighth of a mile (220 yards).

A castrated male horse.

The pole on the race track that marks one-half mile from the finish line. The quarter-pole is a quarter mile from the finish.

Jockey urging a horse with his hands on the reins without using the whip.

A horse bred by its owner.

A horse running under moderate control, at less than top speed.

The rider in a horse race.

Dating from 1875, the “Run for the Roses” is held on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs. [more...]

A measurement approximating the length of a horse, used to denote distance between horses in a race.

Two words, not longshot, for a horse with little chance of winning.

A horse that has not won a race.

Expressed in lengths of a horse, or other part of the horse's anatomy at the finish line: by a nose, by a neck, or in a photo finish: Seattle Slew won by three lengths.

Probable odds on each horse in a race, as determined by the track handicapper who tries to gauge the ability of the horse and the likely final odds as determined by the bettors.

For a strong favorite to win, odds of less than even money: Overanalyze was sent off as the 4-5 favorite.

When a horse is eager to run.

The horse running in front, or on the lead.

Area where horses are saddled and paraded before taken to the track.

A type of multiple wager in which the winners of all the included races must be selected.

Horses going from the paddock to the starting gate past the stands.

First run in 1873, the Preakness is two weeks after the Derby at Pimlico Race Course before 100,000 or more spectators. [more...]

Under a mile expressed in furlongs: six furlongs (3/4ths of a mile); more than a mile in figures: 1 1/4 miles, 1 3/16 miles.

Barrier on either side of the racing strip.

Horse taken out of a race before it starts.

Jacket and cap with distinctive colors worn by a rider to designate the owner of the horse.

The male parent.

Three-year-old horses.

Partitioned mechanical stalls in which the horses are confined until the starter releases the front doors to begin the race.

A horse being taken in hand by its rider, usually because of being in close quarters.

Officials of the race meeting responsible for enforcing the rules of racing.

Prepares a horse for races.

A wager picking the first three finishers in exact order.

Annual series of races for 3-year-olds: Kentucky Derby on May 4 in Louisville, Ky.; Preakness Stakes on May 18 in Baltimore, Md.; and Belmont Stakes on June 8 in New York. [more...]

Horse under restraint in a race to keep it from pulling away from the competition by too large a margin.

Expressed In minutes, seconds and hundredths of a second: I'll Have Another's winning time in the Derby was 2:01.83.

A horse leading a race from start to finish.