The Four Types of Horse Race
A horse race is a contest between two or more horses in which the winner is determined by finishing first. The sport has evolved from a primitive test of speed and stamina into a modern spectacle that features large fields, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and enormous sums of money. The horse race has a long and distinguished history that dates back thousands of years. Originally, it was a way to show off the power of the warhorse, pitting these massive creatures against one another in order to prove their superiority. Then, it became a form of recreation and a means to gamble.
The modern game of horse racing has many different forms, but there are four primary types. Each has its own set of rules and terms. Let’s look at each of them in turn so you can better understand the game and perhaps find a type to get involved with.
Stakes race
A race that is rated by the racing secretary or track handicapper as a “stakes” event. These races are usually of higher quality and carry a higher purse than the standard races. They are also often designated with a Grade 1 (G1), which is the highest designation. Stakes races may be restricted to horses bred in a particular state or to horses sired by participating stallions, or they can be open to all entrants.
Handicap: A system by which a track handicapper assigns a value to each horse’s performance so that the chances of each competing horse in a given race can be objectively compared. A horse’s overall record, past performances at the track and other factors are taken into consideration. The horse with the lowest handicap score wins the race.
Turf track: A surface that is covered with a layer of grass.
Frontstretch: The part of the course where races begin, generally near the clubhouse turn. Home stretch: The straight section of the track that leads to the finish line.
The earliest records of horse racing date back to the Greek Olympic Games in 700 to 40 B.C. In the ensuing centuries, it spread to other countries and cultures. By the modern era, it had developed into a huge entertainment industry and a multi-billion dollar business. But horse racing remains a dangerous and unforgiving sport. Hundreds of horses die on and off the track each year. Some of these deaths are natural, but others are the result of exploitation and abuse.
Pushed well beyond their limits, horses suffer from a variety of physical and mental ailments. For instance, many of them bleed from their lungs during races, a condition known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. The horses are also subjected to cocktails of legal and illegal drugs designed to mask injuries and artificially boost their performance. Some of these chemicals include steroids, sedatives, and depressants. Some of these are even ingested orally and are designed to give the horses an edge in a race. This practice is called doping.
A horse race is a contest between two or more horses in which the winner is determined by finishing first. The sport has evolved from a primitive test of speed and stamina into a modern spectacle that features large fields, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and enormous sums of money. The horse race has a long and distinguished history that dates back thousands of years. Originally, it was a way to show off the power of the warhorse, pitting these massive creatures against one another in order to prove their superiority. Then, it became a form of recreation and a means to gamble. The modern game of horse racing has many different forms, but there are four primary types. Each has its own set of rules and terms. Let’s look at each of them in turn so you can better understand the game and perhaps find a type to get involved with. Stakes race A race that is rated by the racing secretary or track handicapper as a “stakes” event. These races are usually of higher quality and carry a higher purse than the standard races. They are also often designated with a Grade 1 (G1), which is the highest designation. Stakes races may be restricted to horses bred in a particular state or to horses sired by participating stallions, or they can be open to all entrants. Handicap: A system by which a track handicapper assigns a value to each horse’s performance so that the chances of each competing horse in a given race can be objectively compared. A horse’s overall record, past performances at the track and other factors are taken into consideration. The horse with the lowest handicap score wins the race. Turf track: A surface that is covered with a layer of grass. Frontstretch: The part of the course where races begin, generally near the clubhouse turn. Home stretch: The straight section of the track that leads to the finish line. The earliest records of horse racing date back to the Greek Olympic Games in 700 to 40 B.C. In the ensuing centuries, it spread to other countries and cultures. By the modern era, it had developed into a huge entertainment industry and a multi-billion dollar business. But horse racing remains a dangerous and unforgiving sport. Hundreds of horses die on and off the track each year. Some of these deaths are natural, but others are the result of exploitation and abuse. Pushed well beyond their limits, horses suffer from a variety of physical and mental ailments. For instance, many of them bleed from their lungs during races, a condition known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. The horses are also subjected to cocktails of legal and illegal drugs designed to mask injuries and artificially boost their performance. Some of these chemicals include steroids, sedatives, and depressants. Some of these are even ingested orally and are designed to give the horses an edge in a race. This practice is called doping.