| Part of the fun of racing is the adventure of | | | | Irons: Another name for stirrups. When a jockey |
| being in another world. Anyone who has spent | | | | is said to be "in the irons," it means he or she will |
| much time at the race track, particularly the | | | | ride the horse. |
| backstretch, knows that it is a world unto itself. | | | | Scraping Paint: A horse is riding so close to the rail |
| Inch for inch no place on earth has more colorful | | | | it is scraping the paint off the rail. |
| characters than the race track and backstretch. | | | | Chalk: A horse that is the favorite. |
| My grandfather used to work the backstretch at | | | | Chalky: A horse that is bet down a lot is said to |
| Rockingham Park in New Hampshire and I raced a | | | | be chalky. It often means that the horse doesn't |
| few of my horses there, too. Want to see an | | | | really deserve that kind of support. |
| Elvis impersonator (and a pretty good one at | | | | Morning Glory: A horse that works out great in |
| that) lead the post parade? Go to Rockingham. | | | | the morning and looks like a winner only to turn in |
| Now that is unique. | | | | a poor performance in the afternoon when it |
| Like any insular society, racing has its own jargon, | | | | actually races. |
| a unique language that reflects the uncertainties of | | | | Stooper: A person who walks around the track |
| racing, the ups and downs. Many of the terms | | | | stooped over looking for discarded tickets that |
| aren't used much anymore and I think that is a | | | | may be winners. |
| shame. Just so you'll know a few of these terms | | | | Early Days: Early in the program when only a few |
| to use the next time you're at the track, here is | | | | races have been run and though a bettor is down, |
| a list of a few of my favorites (see how many | | | | he or she is expecting to win in the long run. |
| you already know)... | | | | There's Always Fresh: This is about my favorite |
| Ice Cream: Means an easy bet that can't lose. Its | | | | saying at the track. It speaks of the indomitable |
| sweet. | | | | spirit of the horse player. It means, that |
| Lock: Horse that can't lose (see Ice Cream) | | | | tomorrow is a new day "fresh." No matter what |
| Dead Cert.: A lock, a horse that is certain to win. | | | | happened today, tomorrow will bring new |
| Wide as Your House: A horse or greyhound that | | | | opportunities. |
| will run wide on the outside of the track rather | | | | Silks: The colorful costumes the jockeys wear |
| than taking the shorter path on the rail. | | | | during a race. The original silks were first |
| Boat Race: A race in which most of the horses | | | | introduced at Newmarket England by the Jockey |
| aren't trying to win so that one chosen horse can | | | | Club so that it would be easier to distinguish each |
| win. A "fixed" race. | | | | horse and rider to avoid disputes. Each owner |
| Fixed Race: See above. | | | | chose his colors and design. The tradition goes on |
| Like Finding Money in the Street: An easy bet that | | | | to this day with thousands of silks being |
| is so certain to win, it is a "gift." | | | | registered wherever thoroughbreds are raced. |
| Gift: See above. | | | | Quitter: Horse that starts out well and often goes |
| Plater: Horse that runs in the cheap claiming races. | | | | to the front of the pack only to fade badly at the |
| Not sure what the pate actually means though | | | | end of the race. |
| some think it refers to the horse being headed | | | | Well that's it for now. Those are some of my |
| for the slaughterhouse and to be eaten while | | | | favorites, but there are many more colorful |
| others say it refers to special shoes that must be | | | | words and phrases you will hear on the |
| worn because its hooves are so bad. | | | | backstretch. How many do you know? |