Horse race
A game of chance involving placing a bet on a horse to win its race, or in combination with other horses in a pick 3 or more wager. The winning bettors receive their payout (a percentage of the total amount wagered, minus a deduction by the track) after a winner has been determined and all losing bets are paid out. The winner is determined by the highest cumulative total score after all bets are placed and collected. The game is usually played on the internet, but may also be played in person.
Racing:
Flat races are run over distances of one to four miles, although the majority of flat races are shorter than two miles. A runner must be able to exert himself or herself over a long period of time and channel their energy into the entire length of the race in order to win. The earliest recorded racing was in medieval England when professional riders, known as jockeys, would demonstrate the top speed of a horse to potential buyers by racing them over short distances.
To prepare a runner for a race, trainers will have them work or breeze over a specific distance that is timed and can be used as an indicator of fitness. They will also have them school, which is a slower pace that allows the horse to become accustomed to running in a circle and to practice changing leads. Changing leads is important because a horse will tire more quickly on the straightaways than on the turns, and a runner must be able to change leads at just the right times during a race.
Many horses, pushed beyond their limits, suffer from exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, a painful and sometimes fatal condition that causes bleeding in the lungs. In order to reduce the chances of this happening, most horses are given cocktails of legal and illegal drugs that mask injuries and artificially enhance their performance.
During an actual race, a runner must be able to maintain a fast pace over the course of the race, while remaining in contact with the leaders and attempting to overtake them at key points. This is difficult, and it is a major factor in the success or failure of a runner. A horse that is unable to maintain a high pace throughout the race will most likely not finish well.
Ultimately, it’s up to bettors and fans of the sport to support reform. Instead of betting on a horse race, place your bets on a football match or another sports event in which the participants are willing athletes, not mistreated animals. Boycotting the racetrack can send a powerful message that there’s no room for this exploitative industry in our society. You can learn more about the issues surrounding horse racing by reading our collection of research on horse race coverage.