Handicap

A race where a handicapper has assigned weights to be carried by all runners on the basis of their past racing efforts.

Blinkers

A hood worn on a horse’s head to limit side vision, which can improve concentration. Blinkers are added or removed to relax a horse or give it more focus.

Bolt

A sudden veering to the inside or outside rail, often caused by the horse spooking or shying from something.