The Basics of a Horse Race
A horse race is a competition between horses, usually over a stretch of ground. It is one of the most popular sports in the world, with races taking place at horse racing tracks in countries throughout the globe.
In the United States, there are a variety of different types of horse races, depending on the rules of the particular track. For example, the American classics-the Belmont and Kentucky Derby-are two of the most prestigious races in the world.
The racing industry in the United States has a long and distinguished history, beginning with the British occupation of New Amsterdam (now New York City) in 1664. During that time, the best horses in America were not necessarily the fastest but rather those with stamina.
After the Civil War, speed became the hallmark of excellence in the sport and organized racing in North America grew to incorporate a wide range of races with prize money and purses. However, many of these races were run in private clubs and were not open to the public.
Before a horse race begins, the horses are gathered together in stalls or behind gates so that no one can gain an advantage over the other horses. The race then begins with the horses running around the race track at a high pace.
Jockeys are responsible for guiding the horses throughout the race and over any hurdles or fences that may be on the course. Once the race is over, the winning horse is declared.
PATROL JUDGES
A group of officials who watch the progress of a race from various vantage points on the track. These judges are responsible for enforcing the rules of the race and ensuring that no one is allowed to gain an unfair advantage.
RUNNING LINES
The running lines are the paths along the racetrack that the horses must travel. They are numbered and marked out on a chart. These lines vary with the distance of the race, but typically have a quarter pole at the end, which is about a quarter mile from the finish.
POST POSITIONS
Post positions are decided by the use of a pill or a small numbered ball. The pill is then drawn to determine the post positions of the horses, with first placed horses receiving the highest payout.
PRACTICE and DRILLS
Most horse races are fast-paced and include jumps, which are additional things that the horses must train for. During these exercises, the horses must work at a high pace for an extended period of time to make sure they are in good shape.
PHOTO FINISH
A photo finish is when a horse is so close to another horse that it cannot be determined with the naked eye who crossed the line first. During a photo finish, a camera is used to capture the event and stewards study the picture to determine which horse crossed the line first.
BREEDING FUND
The breeding of a horse is an important aspect of racing. Some states set up a fund to award bonuses for horses whose parents have been bred in their state.
A horse race is a competition between horses, usually over a stretch of ground. It is one of the most popular sports in the world, with races taking place at horse racing tracks in countries throughout the globe. In the United States, there are a variety of different types of horse races, depending on the rules of the particular track. For example, the American classics-the Belmont and Kentucky Derby-are two of the most prestigious races in the world. The racing industry in the United States has a long and distinguished history, beginning with the British occupation of New Amsterdam (now New York City) in 1664. During that time, the best horses in America were not necessarily the fastest but rather those with stamina. After the Civil War, speed became the hallmark of excellence in the sport and organized racing in North America grew to incorporate a wide range of races with prize money and purses. However, many of these races were run in private clubs and were not open to the public. Before a horse race begins, the horses are gathered together in stalls or behind gates so that no one can gain an advantage over the other horses. The race then begins with the horses running around the race track at a high pace. Jockeys are responsible for guiding the horses throughout the race and over any hurdles or fences that may be on the course. Once the race is over, the winning horse is declared. PATROL JUDGES A group of officials who watch the progress of a race from various vantage points on the track. These judges are responsible for enforcing the rules of the race and ensuring that no one is allowed to gain an unfair advantage. RUNNING LINES The running lines are the paths along the racetrack that the horses must travel. They are numbered and marked out on a chart. These lines vary with the distance of the race, but typically have a quarter pole at the end, which is about a quarter mile from the finish. POST POSITIONS Post positions are decided by the use of a pill or a small numbered ball. The pill is then drawn to determine the post positions of the horses, with first placed horses receiving the highest payout. PRACTICE and DRILLS Most horse races are fast-paced and include jumps, which are additional things that the horses must train for. During these exercises, the horses must work at a high pace for an extended period of time to make sure they are in good shape. PHOTO FINISH A photo finish is when a horse is so close to another horse that it cannot be determined with the naked eye who crossed the line first. During a photo finish, a camera is used to capture the event and stewards study the picture to determine which horse crossed the line first. BREEDING FUND The breeding of a horse is an important aspect of racing. Some states set up a fund to award bonuses for horses whose parents have been bred in their state.