Here
are some terms you might come a cross when watching
harness racing
Handicapping: The
first step in successfully picking a winner (or "handicapping")
is becoming familiar with reading the racing program. Each program
has a section explaining the information format used at that
particular track. Probably the best place to start when handicapping
Standardbreds is time. Since over 99 percent of all harness races are
conducted at the one-mile distance, valid comparisons can be made
among horses.
Post
Position: Generally,
the closer a horse starts to the inside rail or barrier of the track
(especially on smaller tracks), the better is its chance of winning.
At the start, horses must either "leave" (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 loses ground on every turn.
A horse on the inside has a better chance to get to the rail or
quickly get a good position.
Driver: The
top drivers at any track have two big advantages in the sulky: (1)
They usually are the best planners, knowing how to maximize the
chances of their horses by using shrewd racing tactics. and (2) They
have an innate ability to keep a horse trying his best right to the
finish. The top drivers at each track are usually listed in the race
program.
Consistency: A
horse who has the winning habit, either in terms of races won or
money won, deserves extra consideration when trying to pick a winner.
An inconsistent performer, especially one who breaks stride often,
can be risky.
Class: A
horse which has raced adequately against better foes may find his way
into the winner's circle, while a horse who has beaten inferior foes
may find tougher horses not to its liking. A fairly reliable way of
checking class is comparing the purses of the previous races and the
present race.
Sharpness: Horses
are not machines, and their abilities wax and wane. The alert fan can
detect these changes in the racing program. A former classy horse who
shows a series of dull efforts may simply be worn out. Similarly, a
horse at the peak of competitive sharpness may be able to handle foes
that he could only dream about in the recent past. Signs of a sharp
horse include the ability to overcome racing on the outside (a
"parked-out" trip), a tough battle on the lead, and the
making up of much ground in the stretch. The balancing of "class"
and "sharpness" is one of the keys to successful
handicapping.
Win: The
horse you select must come in first.
Place: The
horse you select must come in first or second.
Show: The
horse you select must come in first, second, or third.
Daily
Double: A
bet attempting to pick the winner of two consecutive races.
Pick
Three: A
bet attempting to select the winners of three consecutive races.
Perfecta
or Exacta: A
bet attempting to select the first two finishers in exact order.
Trifecta: A
bet attempting to select the first three finishers in exact order.
Tri-Super: A
bet attempting to select the first three finishers in exact order,
and then the first four finishers in exact order in a subsequent
race.
Twin
Trifecta: A
bet attempting to select the first three finishers in exact order,
and then the first three finishers in exact order in a subsequent
race.
Conditioned
Race: A
race where eligibility is based on age, sex, money won, or races won.
For example, "3-year-old fillies, non-winners of $10,000 or 4
races."
Claiming
Race: A
race where any of the entrants may be claimed (purchased) for a
specified amount.
Invitational: A
race for the top horses in the area. Also known a Open, Free-For-All,
or the like.
Stakes
Race: A
race where owners make a series of payments, starting well in
advance, to keep a horse eligible. If an owner misses a payment to a
stakes race, the horse becomes ineligible.
Early-Closer/Late-Closer: A
race requiring payments which start much closer to the actual race
date than a stake "Early" and "Late" involve
specified periods of time.
Colt: A
male three years of age or less.
Horse: A
male four years of age or older.
Gelding: A
castrated male of any age.
Filly: A
female three years of age or less.
Mare: A
female four years of age or more.
