The clip-clop of the horses’ hooves fills the air as they trot out to the track, pulling single-seat chariots behind them. The announcer is readying himself for the call, which will soon signal the start of a horse race.
The horse race is a form of gambling where bettors wager on a runner to win, place or show (show means a runner must finish in the top three). Players who correctly select the winner collect all three prices – the Win, Place and Show price. The remaining pool is paid out to bettors with the most correct selections, or to those who have placed a bet on the runner to come in second, but did not select the winner.
Horse racing is the oldest and largest form of legalized gambling in the United States, with wagering on races generating billions of dollars per year. Its critics charge that it is a vice industry masquerading as an equestrian sport, with corrosive gambling addictions destroying the lives of its participants and devasting the local economy. But racing’s proponents argue that the money stimulates a multibillion-dollar equine industry, from breeders and trainers to farmers who grow carrots and hay.
Getting into the race:
To be eligible to run in a horse race, a horse must pass a series of criteria, such as winning a maiden, claiming or starter allowance race. A horse must then qualify for an open or restricted claiming race, which have larger prize pools and are more difficult to fill. A horse may also be moved up to a “two other than” race, a more challenging competition for horses that have not won two races that are not a conditioned claiming race or an open claiming race.
Training and conditioning:
As a horse prepares for a race, its trainer will gradually ask it to exercise at faster speeds. This work, known as a breeze, is timed and can indicate how much the horse is fit and ready to run on the day of the race. A runner that is worked at a higher pace than normal can become tired more quickly, and so is not as likely to finish the race strong.
Changing leads:
Horses must learn to channel their energy efficiently while running on a circular course, and this requires learning how to change the lead, or direction, of their legs. Most horses in North America are trained to run on the right lead for the straightaways and the left lead around the turns. This technique maximizes a horse’s ability to maintain its speed around the turns, where most runners tire and lose ground.
The most important thing for a runner to learn is how to conserve its energy, and this is accomplished through good training. As a runner becomes more fit, it will be able to carry itself longer and finish the race with more reserve. The best runners will appear to have a very consistent energy level throughout the race, even if they are not finishing with a high finish position.