Horse race is a sport in which riders on horses compete to win a race by travelling the course, leaping any hurdles that are present and crossing the finish line before any of the other competitors. Prize money is generally awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in a race. The sport of horse racing has a long history, with various races being held throughout the world.
There are several types of horse races, including handicap races and stakes races. In a handicap race, the weights that horses must carry during the race are adjusted according to their age, sex and the time of year. Fillies are also given a weight allowance that allows them to compete against males at lower weights. A horse’s performance in previous races is also taken into consideration when determining its handicap.
The sport of horse racing is a multibillion dollar industry that is regulated by various agencies to prevent fraud and other illegal activity. The most common methods of betting on a horse race are to bet on a winner, to bet on a place and to bet on a show. To bet on a winner, a player must stake a certain amount of money on a specific horse and, if that horse wins the race, the player will receive all of the winning bets plus any additional wagers made. The rest of the money is shared amongst the losers, with a percentage of the total bets being retained by the track (Take Out).
Blinkers: A type of eye equipment that limits a horse’s vision to help it concentrate on its race. The blinkers can also be used to prevent the horse from getting distracted by other runners.
Sesamoid bone fracture: A fracture of one or more of the small bones (medial and lateral sesamoids) located above and behind the fetlock joint. The four most common sesamoid fractures are apical, abaxial, mid-body and basilar.
Preakness Stakes: A major American Thoroughbred horse race run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The event is the second leg of the American Triple Crown and is held annually in late May or early June.
Belmont Stakes: A major American Thoroughbred race held at the Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The race is the third and final leg of the American Triple Crown and is held in early August each year.
Breeders often choose to race their horses based on the type of race they are most suited for, with different races catering to various styles and distances. A classic race is usually a mile or longer and has two or more turns. A sprint race is usually a shorter race and is more speed oriented.
Bettors frequently look at a horse’s coat in the walking ring prior to a race to determine its condition. A bright and rippling coat is indicative of a healthy and ready horse. A balky horse is a concern; it could be indicating that the animal is frightened or angry.
