Horse Racing Betting Terminology
A collection of popular horse racing and betting terms in an easy-to-use A-Z format:
Horse Racing Results Graded stakes horse racing results & video race replays. Watching race replays is an invaluable handicapping tool for horse betting. Kilroe Mile Contenders and Odds. A bet on a horse to win, place and show. You are wagering on a horse to Win, Place and Show. If your horse wins, you receive Win, Place and Show payouts. If your horse finishes second, you receive Place and Show payouts. The Betway Insider is an online sports blog featuring exclusive columns and expert betting tips in football, horse racing and many other sports. Tipstrr.com has processed more than 2.5 million betting tips from thousands of tipsters since it's inception. With a focus on football tips and horse racing tips, and a growing number of other sports, Tipstrr is home to some truly prolific betting tipsters with a proven track record, who use the platform to verify their results and demonstrate their credibility. Explaining Horse Racing Betting Terms What is a bookmaker? A person or company who accepts your bets on a race day, shortened to ‘bookie’. What does 15/8, 9/4 and 17/2 mean?
Across the board
A bet on a horse to win, place, and show (it is actually three separate bets)
Allowance race
A race other than claiming for which the racing secretary establishes certain conditions to determine weights. It is the level of race between claiming and stakes
Also -eligible
A horse entered for a race but not allowed to run, usually due to the size of a starting gate or maximum capacity of a course, unless there is a defection from the main body of the field
Apprentice
A new jockey that has not ridden a certain number of winners in a specified time period
Backstretch
The straight on the far side of the track, between the turns. It can also refer to the stable area of a track
Bar shoe
A horse shoe with a rear bar to protect an injured foot
Bit
The bar in a horse’s mouth that allows the rider to guide them
Blacktype
Designation for a stakes winner or stakes -placed runner in sales catalogues. It refers to the bold, black font that distinguishes such races
Blinkers
A hood worn by a horse that limits their field of vision. Usually used to help the horse focus
Board
Totalisator board on which betting odds and pools are displayed
Breeze
A horse’s workout that is done without maximum effort
Bridge jumper
A person who bets large amounts on a horse with very low odds. The name implies that the sum of money bet is so large the person will jump off a bridge if they lose
Bullet
The best workout for a given day at a specific distance
Chart
A numerical composite of a race that provides winning times and positions of each horse throughout the race. It also includes a written description of each horse’s journey
Checked
When a jockey must pull up a horse suddenly because he is shut off or in tight quarters
Claiming race
A race in which all horses can be purchased for a predetermined price. Buying a horse this way is known as making a claim
Closer
A horse who comes from behind in a race
Clubhouse turn
The first turn on a racetrack. Generally the one closer to the clubhouse
Condition book
A list of races written by the racing secretary to be run during a set period of time
Coupled
Two or more horses comprising the same betting entity
Daily double
A wager in which the bettor must select the winner of two consecutive races
Damsire
The sire of the broodmare (or the horse’s maternal grandfather)
Distaff
Female. Or a race for fillies and mares
Eased
A horse that is pulled up in a race
Entry
Two or more horses forming the same betting entity in a race, usually because they share the same owner
Exacta
A wager in which the bettor must select the first and second -place finishers in a race
Exercise rider
A jockey that rides a horse during workouts
Farrier
A blacksmith, primarily responsible for the shoeing of horses
Filly
A female horse under the age of 5
Firm
The designation of a turf course when there is a minimal amount of moisture in it
Fractions
The internal times of a race, usually the first quarter -mile, half -mile, and three -quarters, depending on the length of the race
Gallop
A type of gait faster than a canter
Gelding
A castrated male horse
Grandsire
The grandfather of a horse
Halter
Similar to a bridle. Used in the handling of horses around the stable
Hand
The unit of measurement used to determine a horse’s height (from their withers to the ground). A hand equals four inches
Handicap
The process of determining a winner based on past performances. It is also a race in which horses are assigned varying weights to carry
Handle
The amount of money wagered on a race, a card, a meet or a year
Horse
Can broadly refer to any thoroughbred but is more specifically a male 5 years or older
Hotwalker
A person that cools off a horse by walking them after a workout or a race
Hung
A horse that appears as if they might win but ostensibly doesn’t have the desire to pass another horse
In the money
A horse that finishes first, second, or third
Infield
The inner portion of a track inside of the racing surfaces
Inquiry
A review of a race conducted by the track stewards to determine if an infraction occurred
Irons
Stirrups, where the jockey places their feet while riding
Juvenile
A two -year -old horse
Lasix
A common raceday medication that is given, typically to prevent a horse from bleeding
Length
Measures the distance between horses in a race. A length is the distance from a horse’s nose to their tail, or about eight feet
Maiden
A horse who has not yet won a race. Also the type of race for non -winners
Morning line
Odds established ahead of time by a morning-line oddsmaker that are meant to approximate the final odds of a race
Mudder
Horses who perform well on muddy or wet racetracks
Neck
A unit of measurement, about the length of a horse’s neck or a quarter of a length
Nose
The smallest unit of measurement a horse can win by
Odds-on
Odds that are less than even -money (or 1 -1)
On the board
Finishing among the top three
Overlay
A horse whose chance of winning is greater than his odds suggest. In other words, a good bet
Paddock
The area where horses are saddled before a race. Can also refer to a field for horses
Parimutuel
The system of betting used for horse racing. In parimutuel wagering every bet of a particular type is grouped together in a pool, of which the track takes a percentage
Past performances
A list of past races for a horse, including important pieces of information for each race. It is the main means by which a handicapper analyzes a race
Photo finish
A result so close that a finish -line camera must be used to determine the winner
Pick-3 (or more)
A wager in which the bettor must select the winner of three consecutive races
Place
Second position at the finish, or a type of bet in which a horse must finish either first or second to win
Pole
Markers around the track denoting how far the horses are from the finish line. There is typically a pole for every sixteenth of a mile
Pool
The total amount wagered on a specific type of bet
Post parade
The procession of horses coming out on to the track and past the stands before a race
Post position
The starting position for a horse within the gate
Purse
The prize money of a race
Quinella
Like an exacta, it is a type of wager in which the bettor must pick the first and second -place finishers in a race. The main difference is that in a quinella except the order of the horses doesn’t matter
Rabbit
A horse that is entered in a race without the intent of winning but to ensure a fast pace, usually for a better regarded stablemate
Ridgling
A horse with one or two undescended testicles
Roan
The coloration of a horse with white and red (or brown) hairs
Router
A horse who performs best at route distances (a mile or longer)
Saddle cloth
The cloth under the saddle that displays the horse’s number for a race
Scratch
To be removed from a race, whether it be by the trainer, stewards, or veterinarian
Shadow roll
A roll worn halfway up a horse’s face to prevent him from seeing his own shadow
Shank
A rope attached to a horse’s bridle or halter by which they are led
Show
Third position at the finish, or a type of bet in which a horse must finish first, second, or third to win
Silks
The jacket and cap worn by a jockey to signify who owns the horse
Sloppy
A condition of a dirt racetrack in which the surface is wet with a firm bottom
Stake
The highest level of competition for racehorses. There are Grade 1, 2, 3 and ungraded stakes races
Starter race
An allowance race restricted to horses who have run for a specific claiming price or less
Starting gate
The mechanical device in which horses are entered prior to the start of a race and that springs open once it commences
State-bred
A horse that is bred in a particular state and thus eligible to compete in races restricted to horses bred in that state
Steadied
A horse being taken in hand by his rider, usually due to being put in close quarters
Stewards
Racetrack officials responsible for enforcing the rules
Steeplechase
A race in which horses must jump over obstacles such as hedges
Stretch
The final straight portion of a racetrack to the finish
Swayback
A horse with a dipped backbone
Takeout
The portion of a betting pool that the host track takes as commission for conducting the race
Tout
A person who gives out picks, or the act of giving out a pick
Track bias
A racing surface that favors a particular running style or path
Trifecta
A wager in which the bettor must select the first, second, and third -place finishers of a race
Triple Crown
Name given to the series of three races for 3-year-olds beginning with the Kentucky Derby. The Preakness Stakes is the second leg and the Belmont Stakes is the last
Underlay
A horse whose chances of winning are less than what the odds suggest. In other words, a bad bet
Under wraps
A horse that wins while under restraint from the jockey at the end
Valet
The person who attends a jockey to make sure their equipment is in order
Walkover
A race in which, due to scratches, there is only one horse. By rule the horse must gallop around the track at the specified distance
Warm up
Galloping a horse before a race to get them ready to run
Weanling
A horse that is less than one -year -old that has been separated from its dam
Work
A formal exercise for a horse leading up to a race
Yielding
A condition of a turf course with a lot of moisture in the ground
Action: Having a wager on a game.
ATS ('against the [point] spread'): If a team is 5-2 ATS, it means it has a 5-2 record against the point spread, or more commonly referred to simply as the 'spread.'
Backdoor cover: When a team scores points at the end of a game to cover the spread unexpectedly.
Bad beat: Losing a bet you should have won. It's especially used when the betting result is decided late in the game to change the side that covers the spread. Also used in poker, such as when a player way ahead in the expected win percentage loses on the river (last card).
Beard: Someone who places a wager for another person (aka 'runner').
Book: Short for sportsbook or bookmaker; person or establishment that takes bets from customers.
Bookie: A person who accepts bets illegally and charges vig.
Buying points: Some bookies or sportsbooks will allow customers to alter the set line and then adjust odds. For example, a bettor might decide he wants to have his team as a 3-point underdog instead of the set line of 2.5. He has then 'bought' half a point, and the odds of his bet will be changed.
Chalk: The favorite in the game. People said to be 'chalk' bettors typically bet the favorite.
Circle game: A game for which the betting limits are lowered, usually because of injuries and/or weather.
Closing line: The final line before the game or event begins.
Consensus pick: Derived from data accumulated from a variety of sportsbooks in PickCenter. The pick, and its percentage, provides insight as to what side the public is taking in a game.
Cover: The betting result on a point-spread wager. For a favorite to cover, it has to win by more than the spread; an underdog covers by winning outright or losing by less than the spread.
Dime: Jargon for a $1,000 bet. If you bet 'three dimes,' that means a $3,000 wager.
'Dog: Short for underdog.
Dollar: Jargon for a $100 bet. Usually used with bookies; if you bet 'five dollars,' that means a $500 wager.
Edge: An advantage. Sports bettors might feel they have an edge on a book if they think its lines aren't accurate.
Even money: Odds that are considered 50-50. You put up $1 to win $1.
Exotic: Any wager other than a straight bet or parlay; can also be called a 'prop' or 'proposition wager.'
Favorite: The expected straight-up winner in a game or event. Depending on the sport, the favorite will lay either odds or points. For example, in a football game, if a team is a 2.5-point favorite, it will have to win by three points or more to be an ATS winner.
Fixed: A participant in a particular game who alters the result of that game or match to a completely or partially predetermined result. The participant did not play honestly or fairly because of an undue outside influence.
Futures bet: A long-term wager that typically relates to a team's season-long success. Common futures bets include betting a team to win a championship at the outset of a season, or betting whether the team will win or lose more games than a set line at the start of the season.
Halftime bet: A bet made after the first half ended and before the second half begins (football and basketball primarily). The oddsmaker generally starts with half of the game side/total and adjusts based on what happened in the first half.
Handicapper: A person trying to predict the winners of an event.
Handle: The amount of money taken by a book on an event or the total amount of money wagered.
Hedging: Betting the opposing side of your original bet, to either ensure some profit or minimize potential loss. This is typically done with futures bets, but can also be done on individual games with halftime bets or in-game wagering.
High roller: A high-stakes gambler.
Hook: A half-point. If a team is a 7.5-point favorite, it is said to be 'laying seven and a hook.'
In-game wagering: A service offered by books in which bettors can place multiple bets in real time, as the game is occurring.
Juice: The commission the bookie or bookmaker takes. Standard is 10 percent. Also called the 'vig/vigorish.'
Layoff: Money bet by a sportsbook with another sportsbook or bookmaker to reduce that book's liability.
Limit: The maximum bet taken by a book. If a book has a $10,000 limit, it'll take that bet but the book will then decide whether it's going to adjust the line before the bettor can bet again.
Lock: A guaranteed win in the eyes of the person who made the wager.
Middle: When a line moves, a bettor can try to 'middle' a wager and win both sides with minimal risk. Suppose a bettor bets one team as a 2.5-point favorite, then the line moves to 3.5 points. She can then bet the opposite team at 3.5 and hope the favorite wins by three points. She would then win both sides of the bet.
Money line (noun), money-line (modifier): A bet in which your team only needs to win. The point spread is replaced by odds.
Mush: A bettor or gambler who is considered to be bad luck.
Nickel: Jargon for a $500 bet. Usually used with bookies; if you bet 'a nickel,' that means a $500 wager.
Oddsmaker (also linemaker): The person who sets the odds. Some people use it synonymous with 'bookmaker' and often the same person will perform the role at a given book, but it can be separate if the oddsmaker is just setting the lines for the people who will eventually book the bets.
Off the board: When a book or bookie has taken a bet down and is no longer accepting action or wagers on the game. This can happen if there is a late injury or some uncertainty regarding who will be participating.
Over/under: A term that can be used to describe the total combined points in a game (the Ravens-Steelers over/under is 40 points) or the number of games a team will win in a season (the Broncos' over/under win total is 11.5). Also used in prop bets.
Parlay: A wager in which multiple teams are bet, either against the spread or on the money line. For the wager to win (or pay out), all of them must cover/win. The more teams you bet, the greater the odds.
Pick 'em: A game with no favorite or underdog. The point spread is zero, and the winner of the game is also the spread winner.
Point spread (or just 'spread'): The number of points by which the supposed better team is favored over the underdog.
Proposition (or prop) bet: A special or exotic wager that's not normally on the betting board, such as which team will score first or how many yards a player will gain. Sometimes called a 'game within a game.' These are especially popular on major events, with the Super Bowl being the ultimate prop betting event.
Push: When a result lands on the betting number and all wagers are refunded. For example, a 3-point favorite wins by exactly three points. Return on investment (ROI): In PickCenter, ROI is the amount (according to numberFire) that a bettor should expect to get back on a spread pick.
Runner: Someone who makes bets for another person (aka 'beard').
Sharp: A professional, sophisticated sports bettor.
Horse Race Betting Term
Spread: Short for point spread.
Square: A casual gambler. Someone who typically isn't using sophisticated reasoning to make a wager.
Steam: When a line is moving unusually fast. It can be a result of a group or syndicate of bettors all getting their bets in at the same time. It can also occur when a respected handicapper gives a bet his followers all jump on, or based on people reacting to news such as an injury or weather conditions.
Straight up: The expected outright winner of the money line in an event or game, not contingent on the point spread.
Teaser: Betting multiple teams and adjusting the point spread in all the games in the bettor's favor. All games have to be picked correctly to win the wager.
Total: The perceived expected point, run or goal total in a game. For example, in a football game, if the total is 41 points, bettors can bet 'over' or 'under' on that perceived total.
Tout (service): a person (or group of people) who either sells or gives away picks on games or events.
Underdog: The team that is expected to lose straight up. You can either bet that the team will lose by less than the predicted amount (ATS), or get better than even-money odds that it will win the game outright. For example, if a team is a 2-1 underdog, you can bet $100 that the team will win. If it wins, you win $200 plus receive your original $100 wager back.
Vig/vigorish: The commission the bookie or bookmaker takes; also called the 'juice.' Standard is 10 percent.
Wager: A bet.
Horse Racing Betting Terminology
Welch: To not pay off a losing bet.
Horse Racing Betting Terms
Wiseguy: A professional bettor. Another term for a 'sharp.'