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.
maiden race
A race for non-winners.
mane
Long hairs growing on the crest of the horse’s neck, which are usually kept clipped to about six inches in length for neatness, or decoratively braided.
mare
A female horse 4 years of age or older.
mare
Female horse five-years-old or older.
mare’s month
September. In theory, because mares that have not run well during the summer often “wake up” in September.
medication
A substance, medicine or remedy used for healing or masking pain.
middle distance
Broadly, from one mile to 1-1/8 miles.
minus pool
A mutuel pool caused when a horse is so heavily played that, after deductions of state tax and commission, there is not enough money left to pay the legally prescribed minimum on each winning bet. The racing association usually makes up the difference.
money rider
A rider who excels in rich races.
morning glory
Horse that performs well in morning workouts but fails to reproduce that form in races.
morning line
Probable odds on each horse in a race, as determined by a mathematical formula used by the track handicapper, who tries to gauge both the ability of the horse and the likely final odds as determined by the bettors.
mudder
Horse that races well on muddy tracks. Also known as a “mudlark.”
muddy
A condition of a racetrack which is wet but has no standing water.
mutuel pool
Short for “parimutuel pool.” Sum of the wagers on a race or event, such as the win pool, daily double pool, exacta pool, etc.
