Harness
Racing Terms
BACKSTRETCH
-
The
straight length of the track opposite the
grandstand;
-
Can
also refer to the stable area of a track, often
located behind the racetrack's
backstretch.
BELL
A
bell rung at the home straight reminding drivers they
are about to commence the final lap of the race.
BOXED
IN
When
a horse is surrounded by other horses and pinned against
the hub rail unable to get a clear opening.
BREAK
When
a trotter or pacer goes off its gait and resorts to
running or galloping.
CART
Sulky,
also sometimes referred as bike or gig.
COVERED
UP
When
a horse has other horses in front of it during a race.
DEAD
HEAT
A
tie for a finishing position, officially called when the
judges cannot distinguish two horses using a
photo-finish camera.
DEATH
SEAT
The
position of a horse outside the leader, one horse off
the rail.
ENCLOSURE
A
place where the horses are paraded before a race.
FREE-FOR-ALL
A
race open for top horse starting from the same position.
GAIT
The
way in which a horse moves its legs when running; in
harness racing it is pacing or trotting.
GROOM
The
caretaker of a horse, responsible for the daily care of
the horse.
GARDEN
SPOT
The
second position along the rail is called the garden
spot. This is because the second horse is in the
slipstream of the one in front and still close enough to
make a strong bid down the stretch.
GATE
The
starting barrier, usually on a motor vehicle, hence a
mobile one. It is numbered so that gate one is nearest
the rail and horses are allotted positions at the start.
GREEN
HORSE
A
horse that has not raced, or has raced very few times.
HANDICAP
Horses
favorite to win are usually given more distance to cover
by being positioned a set number of metres further back
from the gate to equalize the winning chances all horses
starting.
HANDICAP
RACE
A
race in which extra distances are imposed on the horses
more likely to win.
HOMESTRETCH
Also
known as the home straight, is the straight stretch of
the track directly in front of the grandstand.
CROSS
FIRING
When
a horse's hind leg strikes the opposite fore leg.
CROSSING
When
a horse moves from
an outside track position towards the rail.
JOGGING
Slow,
steady leisurely runs of a track.
MAIDEN
Any
horse, male or female, who has never won a race or
purse.
OBJECTION
When
a driver puts in a claim of foul. The race is reviewed
by the judges with the parties concerned and a public
announcement is made.
INQUIRY
A
review of the conduct of a race, asked for by the
judges. A public announcement is made in this situation.
PARKED
OUT
When
a horse is forced to race on the outside, because the
positions of its opponents prevent it from reaching the
rail.
PHOTO
FINISH
When
horses finish within half a length of each other,
requiring a photo in order for the judges to determine
the higher finisher.
RACECARD
Race
programme.
REINSMAN
/ REINSWOMAN
Driver.
SCRATCH
A
horse is scratched when he is withdrawn from a race.
TRAINER
Person
responsible for the racing condition of a horse. In
harness racing, the trainer is often also the driver and
frequently the owner.
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Handicapping
(picking a winner)
The
initial step for a beginner in picking a winner at harness
races is reading the racing program or
"card". Each program has a section explaining
the information format used at that particular track.
Probably
the first and easiest way for a beginner to try and pick a
winner is to look at previous race finish times.
As the majority of harness races are conducted at the one
mile distance, one can make some useful comparisons.
However, it does not follow that because a particular
horse raced a mile in 2:04 last week, this week it will
beat the horse who finished in 2:05. There are many other
factors that can effect the result.
Post
position.
Generally
and more so on a smaller track, the closer a horse starts
to the inside rail of the track the better is its chance
of winning. At the start, horses must either
"leave" or "start quickly" to get a
good position or else find a place on the rail to avoid
racing on the outside of other horses. When racing on the
outside, the horse is said to be "parked out"
and has to cover more ground on each turn, unlike in
Athletics where athletes have a staggered start. Perhaps
an angled gate would be fairer. A horse on the inside has
a better chance to get to the rail or quickly get a good
position.
Driver.
The
top experienced drivers have two major advantages.
Consistency.
A
horse who has a winning history in terms of races or money
won, has to be given extra consideration. An inconsistent
performer, especially one who breaks his stride often,
presents a bigger risk.
Class.
A
horse who has raced adequately against better opponents
may win the next race but a horse who has beaten inferior
horses may not do so well against tougher horses. One way
to check Class is by comparing the purses of previous
races with the present.
Sharpness.
Unlike
machines, horses' abilities can fluctuate. An experienced
fan can detect these changes in the racing program.
A
horse which has performed well in previous races and has
recently shown a series of poor efforts, may be worn out.
Similarly, a horse at the peak of competitive sharpness
may be able to outrace others it could only dream about in
the past.
A
sharp horse can overcome "being parked out", a
tough battle on the lead and the making up of much ground
in the stretch.
The
fine balance of "class" and
"sharpness" is one of the keys to successful
handicapping.
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SEX/AGE
All
horses become a year older on January 1, regardless of the
actual date of their birth.
BROODMARE
A
female horse, usually retired from racing, used for
breeding.
COLT
A
male up to three years old.
DAM
The
mother of a horse.
FILLY
A
female up to three years old
GELDING
A
castrated male horse of any age.
HORSE
A
male of at least four years of age.
MARE
A
female of at least four years of age.
WEANLING
All
horses are considered weanlings from the time they are
taken from their mothers until their first birthday, i.e.
January 1.
SIRE
The
father of a horse
STALLION
A
male horse usually retired from racing and acting as stud
for breeding.
YEARLING
Any
horse between its first and second birthday.
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