Despite being one of the oldest and most ancient sports, horse racing has evolved into a huge global industry with complex electronic monitoring systems and enormous sums of money. But the sport’s basic concept has remained constant throughout centuries: it’s a contest of speed among horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and their drivers. The first horse to cross the finish line is declared the winner.
Behind the romanticized facade of horse races, where spectators wear elaborate outfits and sip mint juleps, is a world of drug abuse, injuries, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter. These equines are forced to sprint-often aided by whips and illegal electric-shocking devices-at speeds that can cause horrific injuries, including internal hemorrhage from the lungs.
As a result, there are many critics of the sport, who argue that it is cruel to force such fragile animals to run for their lives. However, for horse enthusiasts, the sport has always been a form of entertainment. Some people even see it as a way to escape from the daily grind of life and indulge in their fantasies of grandeur.
In the United States, the most popular racing event is the Triple Crown, which consists of three major championships: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Aside from these major events, there are numerous other smaller stakes and charity races held throughout the country.
Aside from the actual race, other factors can influence a horse’s performance, such as its physical condition, track conditions, and sex. Tracks that are muddy or have been recently watered tend to slow down the horses. The sex of the horse can also affect its performance, as female horses usually have less stamina than males.
The physical condition of the horse can be determined by examining its body and looking at its hooves, which are usually round with wide white imprints. The hooves can also be inspected for signs of injury or infection. Injuries in the legs can include bucked shins, which are bruises on the front of the fetlock bones. These injuries can prevent the horse from running its best in the stretch.
While criticisms of pre-election polls have been around for decades, there’s a growing movement among journalism experts to stop doing what’s called “horse race journalism.” Studies have shown that when journalists focus on the winners and losers rather than policy issues—what’s known as horse race coverage—voters, candidates, and the news media itself suffer. In an article for Journalist’s Resource, Denise-Marie Ordway writes that when reporters cover elections primarily by focusing on who’s ahead and who’s behind, the public gets less information about the issues at stake in an election and how those issues might impact them. Ultimately, this can lead to misinformation and political polarization.