by Horse races have entranced spectators for centuries, and while the sport has evolved from a primitive contest of speed or stamina into a complex spectacle involving massive fields of runners and sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, its basic concept remains the same. A day at the horse races can be a fun and educational experience for people of all ages, whether you’re interested in betting on the winner or simply watching the action unfold.
A horse race is a competition between two horses or teams of horses, with the winner being the first to cross the finish line. The rules for a horse race are typically set by a regulatory body or by the track, and the race is supervised by a referee who ensures that the rules are followed. In some jurisdictions, race horses are required to be licensed and undergo periodic health checks.
The first organized horse races in North America were held in the 17th century, when British colonists leased land on Long Island and established a 2-mile (3.2-km) course. These early races were called “flat” because of the flatness of the course, which offered a good surface for racing. Later, the sport would expand to include steeplechases, which are races for horses over obstacles, including fences and ditches.
Thoroughbred horse racing is a dangerous and stressful business for both horses and their jockeys. The horses are forced to run—often while being whipped with whips, which can cause serious injuries and even pulmonary hemorrhage–at speeds that would be impossible for them to sustain in the wild. Injuries and gruesome breakdowns are common, and horses that can no longer compete are often put down.
For decades, nearly all thoroughbreds on the national circuit have been injected with Lasix on race-day. The drug is a diuretic that prevents pulmonary bleeding (bleeding from the lungs), which can occur after hard running. The bleeding can be unsightly and dangerous for both the horse and its jockey, and is noted on the racing form with a boldface “L.” The use of Lasix has been controversial, however, as its effect on reducing urine volume has resulted in horses losing weight and, consequently, performance.
In the walking ring before the start of a race, bettors look for signs that the horses are ready to go: Is the coat bright and shiny, rippling with muscled excitement? Is the horse agitated or anxious, or is it calm? The gate staff also watches a horse’s mouth, nose, and ears for signs of discomfort.
Once the race begins, horses are urged on by their jockeys, who must apply steady pressure to the reins in order to maintain control of the animal. The horses are pushed to their limits, and the resulting strain can lead to heart attacks, lacerations, and fractures. To further increase the intensity of the race, horses are injected with cocktails of legal and illegal drugs designed to mask injury and enhance performance. For example, the trainer of Big Brown, a horse who won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2008, boasted that his superstar had been given a powerful legal steroid before the Belmont Stakes.
