Section 6: Scoring
Determining the Order of Finish
A Thoroughbred race has no points — the result is simply the order in which the horses' noses reach the finish wire. The placing judges, assisted by the photo-finish camera, record the order of finish from first through last.
The Photo Finish
- A high-speed strip camera images the finish line continuously, producing a single composite photo used to separate horses in a close finish.
- The margin of victory is described in lengths (and fractions: nose, head, neck) and is published with the official chart.
Dead Heats
When two or more horses cannot be separated at the wire, the race is declared a dead heat and the tied horses share the placing. Purse money and any applicable awards for the tied positions are combined and divided equally among the dead-heated horses.
Inquiries, Objections, and the Official Result
- Stewards' inquiry: The stewards may, on their own initiative, review the running of a race for possible interference before declaring it official.
- Jockey's objection: A rider (or owner/trainer) may lodge an objection alleging interference; the stewards review the patrol films and testimony.
- Disqualification and placing: If the stewards find that interference cost a horse a better placing, the offending horse is disqualified and placed behind the horse it interfered with.
- "Official": Once the stewards confirm the order of finish and rule on any inquiry or objection, the result is posted as official. Pari-mutuel payouts are then released.
Purses and Pari-Mutuel Wagering
- Purse distribution: The advertised purse is split among the top finishers on a published scale, with the largest share to the winner. The winning owner's connections — trainer and jockey — receive customary percentages of the owner's share.
- Pari-mutuel pools: Wagers are pooled by bet type (win, place, show, and exotic wagers); after the track's statutory takeout, the pool is divided among the winning tickets. Odds are therefore set by the betting public, not by the house.
- A change to the official result (for example, a disqualification) changes the pari-mutuel payouts accordingly.