Official Works

An official work is a timed workout for the racehorse, usually at a distance of 3/8 mile, 1/2 mile, or 5/8 mile. A licensed jockey or licensed exercise rider must be aboard. These workouts can only be performed at a licensed racetrack or an approved training center. Racetrack officials must witness these workouts: the Clocker is present, and in the case of a work from the starting gates the Starter and/or his crew are present. The results of the official workouts are reported by the clocker to the Stewards and the Racing Secretary in the racing office, and in turn reported to Equibase. The list of all horses who have worked out a given day are posted on a bulletin board inside the racing office. Some tracks will also post this list on their own websites. The horse that has the fastest work time for a particular distance on a given day will be noted in the workout list with a bullet next to their name. A "Bullet Work" is also noted in the racing program when the horse is entered to race.

If a horse has not started in the 45-day period preceding a race, the horse must have one published workout to be eligible to start in that race. If a horse is a first-time starter, the horse must have two published workouts, one of which must be from the starting gate within 90 days and one must be within the last 45 days prior to the race entered in order to be eligible to start in a race. The first time starter must also be approved from the starting gate by the Retama Park starter for proficiency in the starter gate.

All horses working at must be identified by name, type of workout and distance to the Gap Attendant.

Your horse's registration papers, or a copy of, must be on file in racetrack Racing Office before a horse will receive an official work.