play the ponies
Bet on horses
Play the ponies means to bet on horse races.
The phrase evokes casual or habitual gambling rather than serious wagering: He lost half his paycheck playing the ponies.
Ponies here refers to racehorses, though the diminutive suggests the pastime's seedy or small-time reputation.
Stake on uncertainty
- betRisked stake on outcome
- stakeSharpened post or share
- oddsLikelihood expressed numerically
- bookieOne who takes wagers
bookmaker · tipster · handicapper · parlay · trifecta · exacta · quinella · daily double
Tiered spectator seating structure
- paddockSmall fenced animal enclosure
- starting gateRace launch apparatus
- homestretchLast portion before completion
- backstretchTrack's far straightaway
finish line · winner's circle · furlong · turf · dirt track · infield · rail · stretch
Of pure ancestral line
- jockeyProfessional race rider
- silksLustrous woven garments
- gallopSwiftest quadruped gait
- saddleMounted rider's seat
blinkers · gelding · filly · colt · mare · stallion · equine · steeplechase
Horse statistics publication
- horseplayerOne who wagers on races
- punterOne who kicks footballs
- railbirdRacetrack devotee
- simulcastBroadcast on multiple outlets simultaneously
off-track · turf club · derby · Triple Crown · Preakness · Belmont · Kentucky Derby · Grand National
wager
Stake on uncertainty
bookie · bookmaker · tipster · handicapper · parlay · trifecta · exacta · quinella · daily double · payout
grandstand
Tiered spectator seating structure
- paddockSmall fenced animal enclosure
- starting gateRace launch apparatus
- homestretchLast portion before completion
backstretch · finish line · winner's circle · furlong · turf · dirt track · infield · rail · stretch · saddlecloth
thoroughbred
Of pure ancestral line
saddle · blinkers · gelding · filly · colt · mare · stallion · equine · steeplechase · harness racing
racing form
Horse statistics publication
- horseplayerOne who wagers on races
- punterOne who kicks footballs
- railbirdRacetrack devotee
simulcast · off-track · turf club · derby · Triple Crown · Preakness · Belmont · Kentucky Derby · Grand National · Ascot
play the poniesvolunteer
Unpaid willing participant
walk the straight and narrow · keep one's nose clean · work overtime · stay home
play, plays, played, playing, player, players, playful, playfully, playfulness