Horseracing Glossary N To P

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Racing Glossary

NATIONAL THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION (NTRA)
A non-profit, membership organization created in 1997 to improve economic conditions and public interest in Thoroughbred racing.

NEAR SIDE
Left side of a horse, side on which he is mounted.

NOD
Lowering of head. Winning in that manner.

NOSE
Smallest advantage a horse can win by. Called a short head in Britain.

OAKS
A classic stakes event for 3-year-old fillies.

OBJECTION
Claim of foul lodged by rider, owner or trainer. If lodged by an official, it is called an inquiry.

ODDS-ON
Odds of less than even money.

OFFICIAL
Sign displayed when result is confirmed. Also racing official.

OFF SIDE
Right side of horse.

OFF THE BOARD
A horse so lightly bet that its odds exceed 99 to 1.

OFF TRACK
An off track refers to a wet racing surface.

OFF TRACK BETTING (OTB)
Wagering at legalized betting outlets.

ON THE MUSCLE
When a horse is eager to run, is pulling at the bit.

ON THE BOARD
Finishing among the first four.

ON THE NOSE
Betting a horse to win only.

OUT OF THE MONEY
A horse that finishes worse than third.

OUTRIDER
The person who rides the lead horse that accompanies the racehorses to post also is there to catch loose horses, is like a lifeguard on the track.

OVERLAY
A horse going off at a higher price than he appears to warrant based on its past performances.

OVERNIGHT RACE
A race in which entries close a specific number of hours before running (such as 48 hours), as opposed to a stakes race for which nominations close weeks and sometimes months in advance.

OVERWEIGHT
Surplus weight carried by a horse when the rider cannot make the required weight.

PACESETTER
The horse that is running in front (on the lead).

PADDOCK
Structure or area where horses are saddled and kept before post time.

PARIMUTUEL
A form of wagering that originated in France in which all money bet is divided up among those who have winning tickets, after taxes, takeout and other deductions are made.

PHOTO FINISH
A result so close it is necessary to use a finish-line camera to determine order of finish.

PICK SIX (or more)
A type of wager in which the winners of all the included races must be selected.

PILL
Small numbered ball drawn to decide post position.

PINHOOK or PINHOOKER
To buy a horse at auction for the purpose of reselling it later.

PLACE
Second position at finish.

PLACE BET
Wager on a horse to finish first or second.

POLE
Markers at measured distances around the track, marking the distance from the finish. The quarter pole, for instance, is a quarter of a mile from the finish, not from the start.

POOL
Mutuel pool. Total sum bet on a race or event, such as the win pool, daily double pool, and exacta pool.

POST
Starting point or position in starting gate.

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

POST POSITION
Position of stall in starting gate from which a horse starts.

POST TIME
Designated time for race to start

PREP (or PREP RACE)
A workout or a race to prepare a horse for a future engagement.

PURSE
A sum of money collected and offered as a prize.

PUNTER
Bettor or investor.

Glossary Q to S