A horse race is a spectacle steeped in time-honored traditions that thrill spectators and participants alike. From ancient chariot races to today’s elaborate events, it’s more than a sport; it’s a celebration of human and equine spirit. From the glamour of a Kentucky Derby or Royal Ascot to the simple joy of placing a wager, horse racing has a history as rich as its culture.
While horse racing has a long tradition in the United States, organized racing came to North America with the arrival of British colonists in 1664. The British established a system of horse races, in which a silver cup was awarded to the best horse in each season. In order to qualify, a horse had to be the best at sprinting and stamina over long distances. American Thoroughbreds are bred for speed and have Type II-a muscle fibers that are intermediate between fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles, which allow them to run at high speeds for extended periods of time.
The most popular forms of horse races include flat and jumps, or steeplechases. Flat races are typically over distances of two to four miles. Jumps are usually over bigger obstacles and longer distances. European jumps horses often start their careers in National Hunt flat races as juveniles, then progress to hurdling and steeplechasing when they are considered ready.
A bettor can place bets on a single race, a series of races, or the entire tote board. The tote board displays odds, betting pools and other information relevant to the particular race. A bettor can also bet on multiple horses by making an Across the Board bet, in which the player collects a win, place and show if their selections finish first through third.
When a horse is carrying too much weight, it is called overweight. Adding more weight to a horse makes it harder for the rider to control it, which is not ideal for a competitive race.
During an election, journalists are often accused of engaging in horse race coverage, in which they focus more on who’s winning or losing rather than the policy issues at stake. Scholars have argued that this practice hurts voters and causes confusion about the issues at hand.
Moreover, it can give a false sense of security to candidates who are unlikely to win and harm third-party and independent candidates. A 2014 study by researchers Johanna Dunaway, Regina G. Lawrence and John A. Payne found that corporate-owned and large-chain newspapers were more likely to engage in horse race coverage during election years. The study analyzed 10,784 newspaper stories about elections for governor and U.S. Senate in 2004, 2006 and 2008. The authors found that these stories framed the elections as a competitive game rather than focusing on policy issues. It was particularly prevalent in close races and in the weeks leading up to election day. They also found that when a news story frames an election as a game, it can influence voter perceptions of the outcome.