the early bird gets the worm
you've got to be in it to win it
get up in
first in, best dressed
for keeps
race to the top
second
superfecta
look-in
scratch race
top dog
contendership
running target
fancy one's chances
in the lead
edge
head start
opening
competitorship
intertrack
click
success metric
bright
dead first
on spec
steer
grand prize
tip
wind
get off the ground
hint
start
noncompetitive
confidential information
lead
emergingly
first flight
gold medal
bridesmaid
entrant
when one door closes, another opens
brass ring
one-horse race
heat
sneak in
hit
opportunity
autobid
firstcomer
major league
judge
come in
fat chance
triumph
slim chance
Mexican standoff
line of succession
near miss
favourite
field
advantage
qualifying position
roll
succeed
squeeze out
win
win by a nose
make the cut
pull ahead
prizewinning
have the best of it
in the money
champion
forehand
manage
foredeal
podium position
tempo
placegetter
nothing succeeds like success
I got mine
ahead
odds-on
jockey for position
leading
first-place finish
go in for
prosperous
carry
earthly
run-in
succeeder
outflank
for choice
take one's place