Horse races have entranced spectators for centuries, combining the pageantry of a royal event with the chance for pay day. The size of the purse is one factor that draws bettors to the track, but the horses’ power and beauty and the thrill of the game are equally appealing to those who watch from the grandstands or wager through video lottery terminals (VLTs). Whether you’re an avid race fan or just a casual visitor, you can enjoy a great day at the races.
The early races were match contests between two or at most three horses. Pressure by the public eventually produced events with larger fields and eligibility rules based on age, sex, birthplace and previous performance. Riders’ skill and judgment became a vital part of winning.
Originally, races were 4 miles or 6.4 kilometers long and run in four-heat heats, which made a few feet the difference between winning and losing. As dash racing (one-heat races) came into vogue, the ability of a jockey to gain a few yards in a race became increasingly important. The modern race takes place on a dirt, grass or synthetic all-weather surface and is usually six furlongs in distance (about a half mile).
A racehorse’s speed is measured using a speed figure, which is assigned to every horse in a race after the finish. The figure is derived from the raw time of the race and adjusted for conditions. A speed figure of 108 earned by Orphan Brigade in October 2005 is the highest ever recorded.
There are many levels of races, from maiden to stakes. The higher the level of a race, the greater the purse money and the more likely the horse is to win. If a horse is not worth the entry fee he may be claimed and given to a new owner, who receives 40% of the total purse money.
In general, a horse’s highest speed figure is earned in his two-year-old year. The improvement from this point to his peak at age four is 22.2 points in sprint races and 12.1 points in route races.
In a sprint race, a horse that improves his position by more than 10 lengths is said to have made up a “spare.” He is also called a ‘sweep’ or a ‘closer’. A horse that improves his position by less than a length is said to have been hung. A hung horse is unable to make up ground on the leader. A close up is a horse that finishes first or second within three lengths of the winner. The term spit box refers to the spit test, where a horse is brought to a testing station for post-race saliva and urine tests. The results are used to determine if the horse is in compliance with racing regulations. Often, this is done for safety reasons and the result is displayed on the tote board. In the past, this information was viewed by only a few individuals who were watching the race live on the track. Now, however, the spit test is available to the public on television and through simulcast betting.
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