Definitions of Common Condition Book Terms
Nominator:
The person who enters a horse in a Stakes race. (The owner at the
time of entry pays the "nominating" fee. If the ownership changes
after nomination, the current owner collects the purse.)
By Subscription:
Designates that an entry fee is required.
State-Bred:
A horse foaled in a particular state. Most, but not all, tracks will
card races restricted to those horses foaled in that state. These
restricted races may also have their purses supplemented by the
state's breed incentive fund.
Maiden:
is a horse of any age (or sex) which has never won a race in any
recognized jurisdiction, which means, technically, any meet covered
by Daily Racing Form or its equivalent.
Fillies:
Female horses 2, 3 or 4 years old.
Mares:
Female horses who have turned 5 (as of January 1 from the year of
their birth).
Colts:
Male horses (not gelded) 2, 3 or 4 years old; indicated on forms
with lower-case "c."
Horses:
Males who have turned 5 (as of January 1 from the year of their
birth).
Geldings:
Male horses (over 2 years) who have been castrated. These are
indicated on forms by notation "g."
Ridglings:
Male horses which have one or both testicles un-descended, or who
have (for whatever reason) only one testicle.
Bay:
The entire coat of the horse may vary from a yellow-tan to a bright
auburn. The mane, tail and lower portion of the legs are always
black, unless white markings are present. Abbreviation indicated by
"B."
Black:
The entire coat of the horse is black, including the muzzle, the
flanks, the mane, tail and legs, unless white markings are present.
Abbreviation indicated by "Blk."
Chestnut:
The entire coat of the horse may vary from a red-yellow to a
golden-yellow. The mane, tail and legs are usually variations of
coat color, unless white markings are present. Abbreviation
indicated by "Ch."
Dark Bay/Brown:
The entire coat of the horse will vary from a brown, with areas of
tan on the shoulders, head and flanks, to a dark brown, with tan
areas seen only in the flanks and/or muzzle. The mane, tail and
lower portion of the legs is always black, unless white markings are
present. Abbreviation indicated by "Dk b. or br."
Gray:
The majority of the coat of the horse is a mixture of black and
white hairs. The mane, tail and legs may be either black or gray,
unless white markings are present. Abbreviation in programs and on
forms is "Gr."
Roan:
The majority of the coat of the horse is a mixture of red and white
hairs or brown and white hairs. The mane, tail and legs may be
black, chestnut or roan, unless white markings are present.
Abbreviation indicated by "Ro."
Sprinters:
Horses who specialize in short races (4 1/2 to 7 1/2 furlongs).
Route Horses:
Horses who specialize in longer races (1 mile or more), generally
covering 2 turns or more on the track.
Turf Horses:
Horses who specialize in races on the grass tracks.
