Horse track betting is a game of chance, but it is also game of skill and expertise. The more you know, the more likely you are to win. That's why horse wagering is often referred to as the "Smart Man's Bet." However, developing your own system is key.

There is no one single successful horse racing wagering strategy and that's a good thing! This means that even for beginning and novice bettors, you can still fair well with your selections as long as you find a strategy that works for you. For many people, the process is very personal. It becomes a combination of informational knowledge, smart betting, and luck. Over time, though, luck becomes less of a factor for the educated gambler and information and smart betting techniques really take over.

Betting on the Preakness Stakes event is now easier than ever. We recommend the top Race books that allow Preakness Stakes wagering. They offer the fairest odds, fast payouts and superior customer service.

Horse Racing Glossary and Horse Betting Terms

A

Across the board: A win, place and show bet on a horse.

Allowance: A race other than a claiming event for which the racing secretary drafts certain conditions.

Apprentice: A jockey who has ridden for less than a year and who receives weight allowances.

B

Backside: The racetrack's barn area.

Bay: A color ranging from tan to dark chestnut with black mane, tail and points.

Beyer speed rating: A measure of performance popularized by Andy Beyer of The Washington Post.

Bounce: An exceptionally poor performance on the heels of an exceptionally good one.

Broodmare: Female horse used for breeding.

Broodmare sire: A sire whose female offspring become producers of exceptional performers.

Bullet: Fastest workout of the day at a particular distance.

C

Call to the post: A special call played on a Bugle used to signal the horses to the starting gate.

Chestnut: A color ranging from light gold to deep red. Also, a small, horny growth on the inside of a horse's front legs.

Claiming race: A race in which the horses are for sale at a price specified before the race. Claims are made before the race and the new owner assumes possession immediately following the race.

Colt: An ungelded male horse 4 years old or younger.

D

Dam: The mother of a horse.

Distaff: A race for female horses.

Driving: Strong urging by jockey.

E

Early foot: Good speed at the start of a race.

Entry: Two or more horses representing the same owner or trained by the same person and running together as a single betting entity.

F

Filly: A female horse less than 5 years old.

Furlong: An eighth of a mile.

G

Gelding: A neutered male horse.

H

Handicapping: This is the study of factors in the past performances which determine the relative qualities and abilities of horses in a race.

Handle: Money wagered.

I

Inquiry: Official investigation of rule infractions.

J

Juvenile: Two-year-old horse.

L

Lasix: Diuretic medication given to horses which bleed.

M

Maiden: A horse that hasn't won a flat racein any country.

Mare: A female horse 5 years old or older.

Morning line: The starting odds set by thetrack handicapper.

O

Off track: A track that is not fast.

Overlay: A horse whose odds are greater than itspotential to win.

P

Paddock: Structure or area where horses are saddled and kept before going to the track.

Pari-mutuel: System of wagering where all the money is returned to the wagerers after deduction of track and state percentages.

R

Roan: Horse with white hairs mingledthroughout its coat.

S

Silks: Jacket and cap worn by jockeys.

Sire: Father of a foal.

Stallion: Uncastrated male horse.

Stud: Stallion.

T

Turf course: Grass covered race course.

U

Underlay: Horse whose odds are more promising than his potential to win.

V

Valet: A person who helps jockeys keep their wardrobe and equipment in order.

Wxyz

Weight: The assigned weight for a horse, including the jockey, equipment and lead weights if needed.

Workout: Exercise session at a predetermined distance.

Yearling: A horse that is one year old. The universal birthdate of horses is January 1.