Glossary

Greyhound Glossary of Terms

BACKSTRETCH
A straight length of track farthest away from the stands.

BLANKET
A cover that is put on a greyhound that has an identifying number (1 thru 8) and is color coded.

BOX
The post position the greyhound will be racing from or the starting box itself.

CALLS
The call made by a commentator at various points in a race.

CAREER RECORD
A series of figures indicating a greyhound’s total number of starts, followed by how many times they have finished first and have had board placings and which track they were recorder at.

CHART
A record of each race showing finish, calls, odds and comments describing each dog’s performance. A chart is a useful tool in handicapping a greyhound race.

CLASS
This is used to describe the grade of a race or of a greyhound.3

CO-MINGLED POOLS
Money wagered at one venue and then mixed with pools at another venue.

DAM
The name used for the female parent of a greyhound.

DEAD HEAT
A dead heat is called when it is impossible to separate two or more greyhounds passing the finishing post.

DOUBLEHEADER
Two meetings at the same track on the same day.

DRAW
The process of determining which box a greyhound will start from.

ESCAPE TURN
The turn or curve at which the mechanical lure disappears after the race is over.

FAST TRACK
A track that is firm where a greyhound has the ability to reach its highest speeds.

FORCED OUT
Used to describe a situation where a greyhound is being pushed or crowded to the outside by one or more of its opponents.

GRADING SYSTEM
Method of assuring greyhounds compete against racers of similar standard; grades are assigned according to performance, with the top grade being A, followed by B, C and D. Young greyhounds are graded as either M (maiden) or J (juvenile).

INFIELD
The area on the inside of the oval track.

INTERFERENCE
Contact by another greyhound, whether it be intentional or unintentional, that impedes the running of a greyhound, affecting the greyhounds ability to win the race.

JUDGE
A person that is responsible for deciding in the event of a photo finish.

KENNEL
A business that takes care of and races greyhounds. They are usually contracted to one or more tracks.

LEAD-OUT
The person that leads the dogs out to the starting box and the beginning of a race.

LURE
A mechanical device attached to an arm and electrically driven around the racing oval.

MAIDEN
A greyhound that is yet to win a race and is under 2 years old.

MUZZLE
A wire, leather or plastic device, with a white tip, which is fitted over the greyhound's mouth and used to aid in photo finishes.

PADDOCK
Area of lockout kennels, scales and the inspection ring.

POST
A greyhound's post position or starting box number.

POST TIME
The time the first race of a performance begins, or the amount of time before the next race on the program goes off.

PROGRAM
A book of statistics issued for each days racing at the track. This includes information about the races, past performances, charts, handicapper's selections, track records and other racing statistics. This is a useful handicapping tool.

SCHOOLING RACE
An unofficial training or qualifying race that is not open for wagering.

SCRATCH
A greyhound that has been withdrawn from a race.

SIRE
The male parent of a greyhound.

SPRINT
A race run over five-sixteenths of a mile or shorter.

TAKEOUT
The money taken from the betting pool by track management for the state and for the track themselves

TOTE BOARD
Where odds and payout information is displayed.

WINNER'S CIRCLE
Where the winning greyhound proceeds following the race, often to participate in a ceremonial presentation.

WIRE
The line that a greyhound must cross before they have completed a race.