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Michigan Horse Racing Terms

AROUND THE TRACK
Backstretch - Straight portion of the far side of the track between the turns
Clubhouse Turn - Turn on a track closest to the clubhouse facility
Home Stretch - The straight length of the track heading toward the finish line
Furlong - One-eighth of a mile or 220 yards or 660 feet (approx. 200 meters)

EQUIPMENT
Sulky
- cart that carries the driver in a harness race
Harness - gear that used to attach the sulky to the horse and allows the driver to steer
Blinkers - device used to limit a horse's vision
Colors - a special colorful suit worn by drivers; these can be registered and then worn at every race
Silks - special colors worn by jockeys

BEFORE THE RACE

Race Card - The race lineup for the entire day
Past Performances - A horse's record used as the basis for handicapping
Handicap - Making selections on the basis of past performances of the horse
Scratch - A horse that is taken out a race by a trainer or a veterinarian before the race begins
Purse - The money that is distributed after a race to the winning horses' owners
Post Time - Time designated for a race to start
Post Position - Position a horse leaves the starting gate at the start of a race

DURING THE RACE
Race Call - Race description with the horse positions and behaviors and moves by the drivers
Pacesetter - The horse that is running in front
Bearing In (Or Out) - Deviating from a straight course
Bolt - Sudden veering from a straight course, usually to the outside rail
Boxed In - A horse that is surrounded by other horse and is thus unable to gain a clear passage
Forced Wide - A horse is forced to the outside of the track because of something another driver did

THE FINISH
Blanket Finish - Horses that finish so close together they could be covered by a blanket
Nose - Smallest advantage a horse can win by winner
Photo Finish - A finish so close that a picture must be used to determine the order of winning
Dead Heat - Horses are declared as having crossed the finish line at the exact same time

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Related Content
 •  US Trotting Association's Informative Guide to Harness Racing PDF icon
 •  National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Wagering Guide

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