PLACING JUDGE - the person in charge of the official placing or order of finish of horses during and after the running of a race. At many tracks the stewards also serve as placing judges
POLES - markers around the track indicating the distance to the finish line.
POST - the starting point for the race
POST PARADE - time prior to the race when the horses leave the paddock, come on the racetrack, parade in front of the grandstands and warm up
POST POSITION - a horse's position in the starting gate from the inside rail out, decided by a drawing at the close of entries prior to the race, with the approval of the starter.
POST TIME - the official time set by the Stewards and the mutuel department at which a race will start and the horses are required to be at the post and ready to start.
PREFERENCE LIST - a system which makes entering a horse to race more fair; horses with the longest time since last racing or having a chance to race, have the higher preference for the next race entered.
PROGRAM - the general program published and sold by the racing association; also, includes all vital information on the day's racing card, including race number, conditions, distance, types of wagering, horses' names, numbers, jockeys and weights.
PROTEST - a written complaint signed by another licensee against any horse which has started in a race. Made to stewards within 48 hours following the race.
PURSE - prize money in a race, generally made up of the added money based on handle and/or sponsor's contribution, and any nomination, sustaining or entry fees.
QUINELLA - wager in which the first two finishers must be picked, but payoff is made no matter which wins and which runs second.
RACING BOARD/COMMISSION - a state-appointed body charged with the duty of regulating and supervising the conduct of racing in that state
RACING PLATE - a type of horsehoe which is very light, made of aluminum, with a toe grab or cleat for better traction.
RACING SADDLE - small saddle, generally weighing between eight and 14 ounces without stirrups.
RACING SECRETARY - the official who writes conditions for races, assigns the weights for handicap races, receives entries, conducts the draw and is responsible for operation and organization of the race office.
RACING STRIP - track surface made up of two parts. The bottom layer or base is a mixture of sand and mostly clay. It supports the cushion, which is generally a three-inch layer of sand mixed with silt and clay.
RAIL - a barrier, generally made of aluminum covered with a plastic shield, which forms the inside and outside perimeter of the racing surface.
REFUSE - when a horse will not break from the gate
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE - document forwarded by the breed registry that certifies a horse is a duly registered Thoroughbred; includes markings of that animal, registration number, owner, breeder, state foaled and past race win record.
RESTRICTED AREA - any area where acess is limited to licensees whose ocupation requires access.
RIDDEN OUT - winning a race without rider urging horse to do his utmost because he has a wide margin over the second-place horse.
RUN-OUT BIT - a special type of bit to prevent a horse from bearing in or out.
RUNDOWN BANDAGES (WRAPS) - bandages on the hind legs, usually with a pad inside, to keep a horse from burning or scraping his heels or fetlocks when he races.
SADDLE CLOTH (TOWEL) - cloth under the saddle on which program numbers and sometimes horse's name are displayed.
SCHOOL - to train a horse, especially at the gate, in the paddock and before a crowd, and otherwise teaching him racing practices.
SCHOOLING RACE - a pre race which conforms to requirements adopted by the state racing commission.
SCRATCH - the act of withdrawing an entered horse from a race after the closing of overnight entries.
SCRATCH TIME - the deadline established by the race office for horses to be scratched prior to the printing of the official program. Generally, races are drawn 72 to 48 hours before race day and scratch time will be 24 hours before race day; for stakes races, scratch time can be up to 15 minutes before post time.
