| Paddock |
The area where horses are saddled and paraded before being taken onto the track for a race. Also used on a farm for schooling."
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| Past Performances |
A horse’s racing record, earnings, bloodlines, and other data presented in composite form.
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| Pastern (Bones) |
Denotes the area between the fetlock joint and the hoof.
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| Patrol Judge(S) |
An assistant to the stewards. This official observes the progress of a race from various vantage points around the track to watch for infractions and fouls.
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| Pill |
Small numbered ball used in a blind draw to decide post positions.
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| Pin Firing |
Applying a searing instrument, hot iron or electric needle, to an injured portion of the leg to promote healing of the injury or infirmity.
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| Pinhooker |
A person who buys a horse, usually a weanling or yearling, with the specific intention of re-selling it for a profit.
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| Place |
Second position at finish.
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| Placing Judge |
An official who posts the order of finish in a race.
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| Plate(S) |
A generic term for lightweight, (usually) aluminum horseshoes used during a race.
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| Plater |
A generic term for a claiming horse.
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| Pole(S) |
Markers at measured distances around the track designating the distance from the finish. The quarter pole, for instance, is a quarter of a mile from the finish, not from the start.
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| Poll |
The top of the head between the ears.
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| Post |
1) Starting point for a race. 2) An abbreviated version of post position
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| Post Time |
Designated time for a race to start.
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| Preferred List |
A list of horses with prior rights to starting in a race, usually because they have previously been entered in races that have not filled with the minimum number of starters.
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| Purse |
The total money distributed after a race to the owners of the entrants who have finished in the (usually) top four or five positions.
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