Each racehorse and jockey is escorted out of the Paddock by a pony rider and lead pony onto the track for the post parade to the starting gate. These horse helpers are not really “ponies” but are called that because they “pony” the racehorses along and help the racehorse stay calm.

horse or pony that leads a horse from the paddock to the starting gate.

horse on which outrider or pony person escorts Thoroughbreds onto track and to starting gate