Boxing Imagery
In his youth, the jockey "Red" Pollard made extra money as a carnival prizefighter. His nickname "Cougar" stuck, as did an injury to his right eye, which was blind. The blindness in his right eye was a factor in his loss of Seabiscuit's first Santa Anita attempt.
Pollard's body shape and build is frequently referred to as a "boxer's" physique, even after he loses a lot of weight as a result of his injuries, particularly his leg injury.
Floral Imagery
At the Santa Anita Handicap and other major races, the winning horse is draped in a blanket of roses, many of which are taken as souvenirs by the jockey and other riders. The winner's blanket, and flowers, are associated with victory.
Riding Whip Imagery
Nearly all jockeys carry a quirt or riding whip to help communicate with their horses. It does not injure the horse but is an irritant that provides negative reinforcement. Fitzsimmons uses the whip on Seabiscuit regularly, but Pollard understands that with a horse of Seabiscuit's intelligence only occasional touches or signals are necessary, and he trusts to Seabiscuit's natural competitive instincts to keep the horse running quickly. George Woolf occasionally uses the whip on other jockeys who deliberately interfere with or "foul" him.
Bell Imagery
Races begin with two things: a starting bell, and the opening of the gates that hold the horses in. In the match race against War Admiral, the horses are to walk up to the starting line and begin the race when the bell sounds. One of the things Tom Smith decides to do is to train Seabiscuit to start running immediately at the sound of a starter's bell.
