Cross Breeds

How did the expression "The dogs Are Up" originate. It's a thoroughbred race horse training expression.

Public Comments

1. the expression 'the dogs are up is used in the training of thorobred horses---when a part of the racetrack is not in use e,g the inner portion which is unsafe for training or running at the present time---it is usually blocked of by some means--e.g. safety barriers or cones----then horse and riders use the other portion of the track,----the unsafe portion most of the times are caused by torrential rain fall or sometimes overuse of races since riders take the shorter way home "on the rail'in a race.
2. he's right-dogs are just simply cones on the turf
3. I suppose they just ended up being called "dogs" because they look like a dog with long floppy ears when you view them from the side! I am talking about the wooden ones that resemble a carpenters A-Frame that is used with a 2x4 or 2x6 dropped into a slot on top of the A-Frames to block an area of the track. Also used in parking lots to keep cars out! And I have seen them at dog shows, so maybe these are all tied in together for what ever reason & I have no friggin' idea when, who, how, or why this was started!