Horseracing Terminology | P - Q - R

P

Pacesetter

The horse that is running in front (on the lead).

Paddock

Area where horses are saddled and kept before post time.

Panel

A slang term for a furlong.

Parimutuel(s)

A form of wagering originated in 1865 by Frenchman Pierre Oller in which all money bet is divided up among those who have winning tickets, after taxes, takeout and other deductions are made. Oller called his system 'Parier Mutuel' meaning 'Mutual Stake' or 'betting among ourselves'. As this wagering method was adopted in England it became known as 'Paris Mutuals', and soon after 'Parimutuels'.

Parlay

(Also, Accumulator) A multiple bet. A kind of 'let-it-ride' bet. Making simultaneous selections on two or more races with the intent of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet of the following race selected, and so on. All the selections made must win for you to win the parlay.

Part Wheel

Using a key horse or horses in different, but not all possible, exotic wagering combinations.

Pasteboard Track

A lightning fast racing surface.

Patent

A multiple bet consisting of 7 bets involving 3 selections in different events. A single on each selection, plus 3 doubles and 1 treble.

Penalty

A weight added to the handicap weight of a horse.

Permutations

It is possible to Perm bets or selections (e.g. on 4 selections all the possible doubles could be Permed making 6 bets).

Phone Betting

A service enabling punters to bet on horses with bookmakers by using telephones.

Phone TAB

Another phone betting service, provided by a totalisator which allows people with special betting accounts to place bets via the telephone. Much the same as a bank account, you must have a credit balance to be able to place a bet. The cost of the investment is debited to your account, and winning dividends and refunds are automatically credited to your account.

Photo Finish

A photo is automatically taken as the horses pass the winning line and when the race is too close to be judged the photo is used to determine the order of finish.

Picks

Betting selections, usually by an expert.

Pick Six (or more)

A type of wager in which the winners of all the included races must be selected.

Pitch

The position where a bookmaker conducts his business on a racecourse.

Place

Finish in the top two, top three, top four and sometimes also top five in a competition or event. A Place bet will win if the selection you bet on is among those placed. Usually, a horse runs a place if it finishes in the first three in fields of eight or more horses. If there are only six or seven runners the horse must finish first or second to place. Different sportsbooks have different Place terms and you should check their rules before placing a bet. In US, 2nd place finish. (See 'Each Way' UK)

Point Spread

(Also, Line or Handicap) The points allocated to the 'underdog' to level the odds with the 'favorite/favourite'.

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.

Pony

GBP£ 25.

Pool

Mutuel pool, the total sum bet on a race or a particular bet.

Post

1) Starting point for a race. 2) An abbreviated version of post position. For example, "He drew post four". 3) As a verb, to record a win. For example, "He's posted 10 wins in 14 starts".

Post Position

Position of stall in starting gate from which a horse starts.

Post Time

Designated time for a race to start.

Price

The odds.

Protest

When a jockey, owner, trainer or steward alleges interference by one party against another during a race that may have affected the outcome of a race. If a protest is upheld by officials, the runner that caused the interference is placed directly after the horse interfered with. If a protest is dismissed by officials, the original result of the race stands.

Punt

Another term for bet or wager.

Punter

Bettor or investor.

Pull Up

To stop or slow a horse during or after a race or workout.

Q

Quadrella

Selecting the winner of four specifically nominated races.

Quiniela (Quinella)

Wager in which the first two finishers must be picked in either order. Payoff is made no matter which of the two wins and which runs second. ('Reverse Forecast' in the UK. See Wagers for Quiniela variants.)

R

Race Caller

The person who describes the race at a racecourse.

Racecard

A programme for the day's racing.

Rail Runner

Horse that prefers to run next to the inside rail.

Ratings

Tipsters may determine a set of ratings which reflect, in their opinion, each runner's chance of winning a particular race taking a number of factors into account when preparing them.

Restricted Races

Races which only certain horses are eligible.

Return

The dividend you receive on a particular bet.

Reverse Forecast (UK)

See 'Quinella' above.

Ringer

A horse (or greyhound) entered in a race under another's name - usually a good runner replacing a poorer one.

Roughie

A horse which is considered to have a 'rough' chance of winning a race.

Roundabout

A bet consisting of 3 bets involving three selections in different events (i.e. 1 single any to come and double stake double on remaining two selections, 3 times).

Rounder

A bet consisting of 3 bets involving three selections in different events (i.e. 1 single any to come a single stake double on remaining two selections, 3 times).

Round Robin

A bet consisting of 10 bets (3 pairs of 'Single Stakes About' bets plus 3 doubles and 1 treble) involving three selections in different events. (US, A series of three or more teams into two-team wagers).

Route

Broadly, a race distance of longer than 1-1/8 miles.

Router

Horse that performs well at longer distances.

Run Free

A horse going too fast.

Runner

A participant in a race. In US, a sportsbook's employee who gathers information on the progress of betting elsewhere on the course. Also, a messenger 'running' to and from pari-mutuel windows for occupants of clubhouse boxes.