New riders start out as apprentices and are given weight allowances until they have ridden a certain number of winners within a specified period of time. Also known as a "bug," from the asterisk used to indicate the weight allowance, it usually means 10 pounds until the jockey rides his fifth winner, seven pounds until the 35th winner and five pounds for one calendar year after the 35th winner. Apprentices do not receive any weight allowance when riding in a stakes race.
