claim
The process of a licensed person purchasing a horse from a designated race for a predetermined price.
claiming race
A race in which each horse entered is eligible to be purchased at a set price. Claims must be made before the race and only by licensed owners or their agents who have a horse registered to race at that meeting or who have received a claim certificate from the stewards.
colt
A male horse or altered/gelded male horse 3 years of age or younger.
county fair
A race meeting that is less than 10 days in duration, with or without pari-mutuel wagering, held in conjunction with an agricultural fair.
dam
The mother of a horse.
dead heat
Two or more horses finishing a race in a tie.
disqualification
Harness racing:Disqualified persons may not act as an official or start or drive a horse in a race. Disqualified horses shall not be allowed to start.
Thoroughbred racing: Change in order of finish by officials for an infraction of the rules.
draw
The process by which horses are selected to start in specific races and post positions for each race.
driver
A licensed person who drives a horse in a race.
drug
Any substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease in humans or other animals.
eligible
Qualified to start in a race, according to conditions.
filly
Breeding: Female horse four-years-old or younger.
Harness racing: A female horse 3 years of age or younger.
foal
A newborn horse under 1 year of age.
gait
Harness racing: Either a trotting or pacing gait.
Thoroughbred racing: The characteristic footfall pattern of a horse in motion. Thoroughbreds have four natural gaits-walk, trot, canter and gallop. Thoroughbreds compete at a gallop.
gelding
A neutered (castrated) male horse of any age.
handicap
Betting: 1) Race for which the track handicapper assigns the weights to be carried. 2) To make selections on the basis of past performances.
Harness racing: A race in which performance, sex or distance allowance is made. Post positions for a handicap may be assigned by the racing secretary. Post positions in a handicap claiming race may be determined by claiming price.
head number
The wagering number for the horse or, in the case of a coupled entry, the wagering number of all horses that make up the coupled entry.
heat
A single race or a single trial of a race that is one of a series of races that make up an event (race).
hobbles
A leg harness used for controlling the gait of a pacer or trotter.
home stretch
The final stretch where the finish line is situated.
judge
An official licensed by the USTA to perform specific duties as outlined under Rule 6.
lame
A term used to describe a horse that is limping, has difficulty walking or is sore.
maiden
Breeding: A female that has never been bred.
Harness racing: A stallion, mare or gelding that has never won a heat or race at the gait at which it is entered to start and for which a purse is offered.
Thoroughbred racing: A horse or rider that has not won a race.
mare
A female horse 4 years of age or older.
medication
A substance, medicine or remedy used for healing or masking pain.
owner
The full owner or part owner of a registered Standardbred.
pace
A gait in which the legs of a horse move in lateral pairs.
paddock/receiving barn
Areas enclosed by a fence or other means, at which all entrances are secured, and entrance to such structure is limited.
pari-mutuel wagering
A form of betting and of handling the betting on horse races at racetracks, in which those holding winning tickets divide the total amount bet in proportion to their wagers, less a percentage for the management, taxes, etc.
photo finish
A result so close it is necessary to use the finish-line camera to determine the order of finish.
positive test
Finding by an approved laboratory that a blood or urine sample indicates the presence of a drug, medication or other prohibited substance.
post position
The position assigned or drawn for a horse from which it will start the race.
post race test
A blood or urine sample, taken after the completion of a heat or dash, that indicates the presence of a drug, medication or other prohibited substance.
post time
The time set for the start of a race.
pre-race test
A blood or urine sample, taken prior to the completion of a heat or dash, that indicates the presence of a drug, medication or other prohibited substance.
purse
The monetary amount that is distributed to the finishers of a race.
qualifying race
A race in which a horse must establish its ability to participate at a race meeting, consistent with the qualifying standards establish for that class of horse.
race secretary
An official licensed by the USTA to perform specific duties as outlined under Rule 6.20.
scratch
To be taken out of a race before it starts. Trainers usually scratch horses due to adverse track conditions or a horse’s adverse health. A veterinarian can scratch a horse at any time.
stake
A race that will be contested in a year subsequent to its closing, in which the money given by the track member conducting the same is added to the money contributed by the nominators.
start
Any type of condition, unless specifically so stated, that includes only those performances in a purse race. Qualifying and matinee races are excluded.
starting gate
A mobile device used to start horses in a race.
trot
A gait in which the legs of the horse move in diagonal pairs.
weanling
A foal that is less than one-year-old that has been separated from its dam.
wire
The finish line of a race.
