Learning the Lingo

Harness racing has a distinct language and terminology that can be confusing to newcomers. Here’s a handy guide to help you tell a trotter from a pacer and a winner from a dead heat.

THE HORSES

Harness racing horses are standardbreds, a breed of trotting horses that evolved from a mixture of Morgan and Thoroughbred bloodlines. Standardbreds are further categorized by gait. In harness racing, you will hear constant references to:

* Trotters--A horse whose left-front and right-rear legs move forward almost simultaneously; then the right front and left rear.

* Pacers--Both left legs move forward in unison; then both right legs.

* Breaking stride--A tired horse or one whose driver is forcing it to race faster than it is capable of doing, responds by breaking into a gallop. When this happens, the driver must take the horse to the outside, away from traffic, and try to get him back to his proper gait. The driver must also slow his horse down so he doesn’t gain any ground. Failure to do so is cause for disqualification. On occasion, a driver will be able to get the horse back on stride quickly enough to come back and win, but more often than not the horse has lost too much ground.

THE RACE

Harness races begin from a moving start. The horses follow a pace car fitted with a retractable starting gate that resembles a section of fence. The starter rides backward in the specially equipped car, and the drivers and horses follow directly behind. At the start, the pace car speeds away, the gate retracts, and the car veers off to the side.

The pace car follows alongside the pack, and the starter becomes a judge, watching for fouls and potential hazards. Each race is one mile--1 1/2 times around the track. Most of the top contenders finish in less than two minutes.

The best racing position is along the rail. If a driver is forced to the outside, racing alongside a horse that is on the rail, he is described as being “parked out.” From this position, a horse will have to race anywhere from 30 to 50 extra feet around each turn of the track, and is unlikely to win. Needless to say, there is a lot of jostling for the rail position, especially on the backstretch.

* Backstretch: The straightaway portion of the track furthest from the grandstand.

* Homestretch: The straightaway portion of the track directly in front of the grandstand.

* Inquiry: A review of the race requested by the judges when a foul is suspected. The “inquiry” light flashes on the tote board.

* Objection: A review of the race requested by a driver. The “objection” light flashes on the tote board.

* Photo finish: When two horses finish within one-half length of each other, requiring judges to review film to determine the winner.

* Dead heat: A tie declared when judges cannot determine a winner after reviewing the photo finish.

WATCHING AND WAGERING

* The tote board: An electronic sign in the infield that serves as the track’s information center. Like a computer spreadsheet, it calculates the percentage of money bet on each horse to win, place or show over the total parimutuel bet. It also estimates the odds for each horse during that particular stage of the wagering. It shows the time of day and minutes to post time for the next race and tells the spectators which horses are leading.

* Picking a winner: Handicapping, the art of predicting winners based on performance, blood lines and other factors, varies greatly among bettors. Most study the program carefully, weighing information about the driver’s and trainer’s ratings, the horse’s performance, and personal knowledge. Those simply out for a good time often place a small wager on a horse whose name they like or follow superstitious hunches. Although expert handicappers may scoff, it’s possible to win money and have fun at the track with such simple strategies. However, it’s best to place the minimum $2 wager, at least until you have enough knowledge to make an informed decision.

* Placing a bet: Whatever your method, bettors must select a horse to either win (finish first), place (finish in the top two), or show (finish in the top three). There are also exotic wagers like exactas (pick the first- and second-place winners in the same race), trifectas (first-, second- and third-place finishers in same race), pick sixes (select the winners of six consecutive races), pick threes (select the winners of three consecutive races) and twin trifectas (select first-, second- and third-place finishers in two separate races. Hitting an exotic bet results in a windfall, but the odds are much higher.

* Payoffs: Determined by how much is in each betting pool. Remember, long-shot winners pay more than odds-on favorites.

There are numerous betting windows, or you can use the ATM-like betting machines. When using the window, make life easier for the harried tellers by stating your wager like this: “Two dollars to win on No. 3 in the fifth.” The order is always the same: The amount of the bet, type of bet (win, place or show) horse number and race number. You will be handed a ticket with a printout of your bet. Hold onto it, because it just might be your lucky day.

* Cashing in: Go to any window and show the teller your ticket. You may collect your winnings in cash or use it to up the ante on your next bet. Winning tickets are valid up to 120 days after the season ends April 24.

BROADCASTS

* Prime Ticket (check your cable guide for channel) has race replays, features and commentary Wednesday through Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.

* KNX (1070 AM) taped race commentary and results every half hour on race days starting at 8 p.m.