A horse race is a contest for horses that takes place over an oval track with organized betting on the outcome. The sport originated in ancient Greece and quickly spread to neighboring countries. Today, the sport is a worldwide phenomenon and is enjoyed by millions of fans. It has also become a major source of revenue for many companies. This article will explore the history of horse racing and its many significant milestones, as well as offer some advice for those who want to bet on this thrilling sport.
On the track, jockeys perched atop the horses compel them with a whip to run at a breakneck speed that is not natural in any way. In nature, horses understand self-preservation and are designed to rest and heal. On a racetrack, horses are pushed to exhaustion in an unnatural setting, where they can be injured by another competitor or even their own trainers. This unnatural act is unequivocally cruel.
The race that took the life of Mongolian Groom was a Grade I stakes, one of the top events at Santa Anita. The crowded field of eleven horses was tense and dangerous. The horses were crowded so tightly that their front hooves were touching. A tangle of hooves and tails would have resulted in an explosion of blood that could have killed one or more horses.
Almost from the start, War of Will led, with McKinzie, a small-framed bay, close behind. In the early days of organized racing in America, stamina was prized more than speed. This was a reflection of the British influence, which had established standardized races in the colonies by 1664. The King’s Plates, which were open to six-year-olds carrying 168 pounds over 4-mile heats, set the bar for high-class Thoroughbreds in the United States until the Civil War.
The race was the first at Santa Anita since the death of a jockey, Nick Alexander, in an accident on the track. The track had been flooded with veterinarians and expensive imaging equipment to ensure that the equine athletes were safe. The management team was adamant that they were doing everything they could to prevent injury or fatalities, but the truth is that despite random drug testing and a centralized regulatory authority, the sport remains deeply flawed. The future of this colossal industry hinges on a willingness to reform at a pace faster and more determined than any Triple Crown winner. Horses are counting on it.