Glossary of Horse Betting and Horse Racing Terms - S

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SADDLE CLOTH
Cloth under the saddle on which number (and sometimes horse's name) denoting post position is displayed.

SCRATCH
To be taken out of a race.

SECOND DAM
Grandmother; granddam.

SESAMOID
Sesamoid bones are located at the back of the fetlock, the joint formed by the pastern bone and the cannon bone.

SHADOW ROLL
Usually a lamb's wool rolls half way up the horse's face to keep him from seeing his own shadow.

SHANK
Rope or strap attached to a halter or bridle by which a horse is led.

SHED ROW
Stable area; a row of barns.

SHOW
Third position at the finish.

SHUT OFF
Cut off, unable to improve position due to another horse suddenly blocking the path.

SILKS (or COLORS)
Jacket and cap worn by riders which designates the owners of the horse, designed and picked out personally by each owner.

SIMULCAST
Televising a race, live to other tracks, OTB offices or other outlets for the purpose of wagering.

SINGLE
A straight bet on one horse to win, place or show one race or event, also known as a straight-up bet.

SIRE
Father of a horse.

SIX FURLONGS
Three-quarter of a mile; 1,320 yards, 3,960 feet.

SIXTEENTH
One-sixteenth of a mile; 110 yards, 330 feet.

SLOPPY
Condition of footing. Wet on surface with firm bottom.

SLOW
Footing that is not fast, wet on the surface and base of the track, between good and heavy.

SMART MONEY
Insiders' bets or the insiders themselves.

SPRINT
Short race, less than one mile.

STAKE
A race (usually a feature race) for which the owner must pay up a fee to run a horse. The fees can be for nominating, maintaining eligibility, entering and starting, to which the track adds more money to make up the total purse. Some stakes races are by invitation and require no payment or fee.

STAKES HORSE
One capable of competing in such events.

STALLION
Entire male horse.

STARTER
The person responsible for starting a race, releasing the gates once all horses and riders are in and facing forward.

STARTER RACE
An allowance or handicap race restricted to horses that have started for a specific claiming price or less.

STEPS UP
A horse moving up in class to compete against better runners.

STEWARDS
Top officials of the meeting responsible for enforcing the rules.

STEEPLECHASE
A jumping race over high obstacles.

STICK
A jockey's whip.

STOCKINGS
When a horse has white legs below the knees.

STRETCH
Final straight portion of the racetrack to the finish.

STRETCH CALL
The call of the position of horses at the eighth pole, usually about halfway down the stretch.

STRETCH RUNNER
Horse that finishes fast.

STUD
Male horse used for breeding.

STUD BOOK
Registry and genealogical record of the breeding of thoroughbreds maintained by The Jockey Club.

SUCKLING
A baby horse that is still nursing.

SUPERFECTA
A bet placed on four horses to cross the finish line in exact chosen order.

SWAYBACK
Horse with a dipped backbone.