Understanding a Horse Race
A horse race is a form of sports competition between two horses or teams of horses. It is considered to be the oldest form of horse sport and has survived many incarnations throughout the centuries. While horse racing has evolved from a primitive contest of speed and stamina to a modern spectacle involving large fields of runners, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and huge sums of money, its fundamental concept remains the same.
Some people consider the sport to be inhumane because of its use of slaves and its use of drugs, but others feel that it is a good way to entertain and educate the public. In fact, a study published in the journal Science found that horse races can even influence how people vote in elections. Researchers Johanna Dunaway and Regina G. Lawrence analyzed newspaper stories about horse races that took place between Sept. 1 and election day in 2004, 2006, and 2008. They also analyzed the types of race-related news in each year. They found that stories with more horse race coverage were more likely to be about close races and in newspapers that are owned by corporations or chain outlets.
The greatness of a horse race is not measured by the size of its prize money, but by the impact it has on the world. A great race will leave a lasting impression on the fans, the jockeys, and, most of all, the horses. For example, a great race can inspire a nation to change its laws or it can lift an equine superstar into immortality like Secretariat in the Belmont Stakes or Mandarin in Paris.
In order to understand a horse race, it is important to know some basic terms. Some of these include:
Handicap: A race in which the racing secretary assigns weights to the entrants based on their previous performances. It is a system that is designed to equalize the winning chances of the horses.
Pace: The average speed at which a horse is running. A slow pace means that the horse is lagging behind. A fast pace means that the horse is ahead of its competitors.
Objections: The action of a jockey during a horse race in which he or she believes that a competitor has committed an illegal act. These actions can result in disqualification of the offending horse or jockey from a race.
Behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred horse racing lies a world of drug abuse, injuries, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter. As spectators display their fancy outfits and sip mint juleps, the horses are forced to sprint-often under the threat of whips-at speeds that can cause severe injury and hemorrhage from the lungs. Nevertheless, the equine sport continues to be popular around the globe. It is an important part of our culture and history, as well as an exciting and engaging experience for spectators and gamblers alike. Whether it is the glitz of Millionaires Row, the sophistication of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or the homely charms of the Grand National, a great horse race will always have an effect on the world.