rabbit
A speed horse running as an entry with another, usually come-from-behind horse. The rabbit is expected to set a fast pace to help the chances of its stablemate.
race secretary
An official licensed by the USTA to perform specific duties as outlined under Rule 6.20.
racing secretary
Official who drafts conditions of races and assigns weights for handicap events.
rail
The barrier on either side of the racing strip. Sometimes referred to as the “fence.”
rail runner
Horse that prefers to run next to the inside rail.
rank
A horse that refuses to settle under a jockey’s handling in a race, running in a headstrong manner without respect to pace.
rattle
Used in the expression, “He likes to hear his feet rattle,” a horse that likes a firm turf course.
re-entered
The reason that the horse was scratched out of the race was that he was either a) entered in another race on that day, either at the same track or another track and opted to race in the other race OR b) was scratched out of this race to run in another race in the next few days.
receiving barn
Structure used by horses shipping in for a race who do not have a stall at that racetrack.
refuse
1) When a horse will not break from the gate. 2) In jumping races, balking at a jump.
reserve
A minimum price, set by the consignor, for a horse in a public auction. For example, “The horse did not reach its reserve.”
ridden out
A horse that finishes a race under mild urging, not as severe as driving.
ride short
Using short stirrups.
roan
A horse color where the majority of the coat of the horse is a mixture of red and white hairs or brown and white hairs. The mane, tail and legs may be black, chestnut or roan unless white markings are present. Starting with foals of 1993, the color classifications gray and roan were combined as “roan or gray.”
rogue
Ill-tempered horse.
route
Broadly, a race distance of longer than 1-1/8 miles.
router
Horse that performs well at longer distances.
