starting gate
Where horses wait
A starting gate is a barrier that holds racehorses or racing dogs in position until the race begins, then opens simultaneously to ensure a fair start.
The term extends to any beginning point: The bill died at the starting gate, We were behind from the starting gate.
Also called starting gates in the plural for the full apparatus.
Of pure ancestral line
- jockeyProfessional race rider
- trackPath or monitored route
- derbyOpen-entry competition
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
post position · odds · betting · silks · photo finish · homestretch · furlongs · handicap
Enclosed compartment or delay
- latchDoor-securing catch
- releaseTo let go
- spring-loadedPowered by compressed coil
- doorsHinged passage barriers
barrier · magnetic · bell · mechanism · timing · malfunction · alignment · handler
Stretched or strained state
- readinessState of being prepared
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- imminenceState of approaching quickly
expectation · eagerness · anxiety · coiled · nerves · focus · hush · stillness
Obstructs or sections
- sprintersBrief-race speed athletes
- runnersThose who race on foot
- relayStage-by-stage transmission
- dashQuick burst or pinch
lane · crouch · set position · pistol · reaction time · burst · explosion · push-off
Initial stage of something
- launchSet into motion
- kickoffOpening play in football
- outsetInitial point of something
- thresholdPoint of beginning
origin · debut · inception · embarkation · commencement · clean slate · new chapter · opportunity
thoroughbred
Of pure ancestral line
stall · post position · odds · betting · silks · photo finish · homestretch · furlongs · handicap · turf
stall
Enclosed compartment or delay
- latchDoor-securing catch
- releaseTo let go
- spring-loadedPowered by compressed coil
doors · barrier · magnetic · bell · mechanism · timing · malfunction · alignment · handler · loading
tension
Stretched or strained state
- readinessState of being prepared
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
imminence · expectation · eagerness · anxiety · coiled · nerves · focus · hush · stillness · poised
blocks
Obstructs or sections
dash · lane · crouch · set position · pistol · reaction time · burst · explosion · push-off
beginning
Initial stage of something
threshold · origin · debut · inception · embarkation · commencement · clean slate · new chapter · opportunity · level playing field
- starting pointsspawn point, origin, origin point, zero point, ground zero
- horse racingthoroughbred, horse racing, racehorse, flat race, horses
- racingrace, racing, race track, racetrack, lap
- game startskickoff, tip-off, tipoff, face-off, puck drop
- gatesgateway, gatehouse, gatepost, tollgate, floodgate
- racetrackpit lane, finish line, grandstand, homestretch, speedway
starting gatefinish line
Race completion marker
finishing line · finish · winner's circle · checkered flag · tape
starting gateend point
Where something concludes
conclusion · terminus · finale · endpoint · closing bell
starting gatefinish line
Race completion marker
conclusion · ending · finale · terminus · completion
start, gate, started, starting, starter, starts, starters, starting blocks