The word horse race has become a synonym for nail-biter, but it was once used to refer to a very close contest. Now, the term is often used in political contexts, as the presidential campaign has devolved into a series of mud-slinging contests with no substantive discussion of important national issues. The chanting and name calling have stifled any chance of a real debate about who will be the best candidate to lead America.
But it’s not all bad news for those who own and operate the racing industry. It brings in millions of dollars in purses, and the jobs and money support thousands of people in rural America. “The industry is not on welfare,” said Joe Faraldo, president of the Standardbred Owners Association in New York. “It’s supporting agriculture, the horse industry and all the workers who work in it.”
Horse races take place on three different types of tracks: dirt, grass and a synthetic all-weather surface known as polytrack. There are eight furlongs in a mile, and horses run at a speed that ranges from a trot to a canter.
After one lap around the track, riders sprint into a pit row where teammates are waiting with fresh horses for what’s called an exchange. Each horse must jump off its own rider, then leap onto the back of another horse for a second race. It’s fast and fun, but it can be dangerous. A jockey can easily fall off or be tossed from his horse, and injuries are not uncommon.
Hundreds of racehorses are kept in stables on the edge of the track, where the trainer jogs and gallops them to prepare them for their races. They are confined in a tiny, cramped space, which can cause serious illness if conditions are not carefully managed. They are also subjected to unnatural schedules of training and racing, which can be stressful for them and lead to the not-uncommon behavioral issues that plague many racehorses, such as biting on their gates or cribbing.
The horses run in a variety of races, from maiden special weight (which allows only one winner per race) to allowances, which allow horses that have won multiple races to compete with lesser-known runners. Most of the races are open claiming, but some allow for optional claiming. This provides class relief for the horses, but it comes with a risk, as the horse could lose its value and be claimed by another owner.
As the horses race, they are monitored by track veterinarians and stewards to ensure the safety of all parties involved. Occasionally, a racehorse may suffer an injury or fatal accident, but the industry is working to improve its safety record. The HBO series Luck, starring Dustin Hoffman, was canceled in 2012 after a horse died on set. Animal rights activists point to the industry’s reliance on isolation and confinement as a reason for reform or outright ban. Activists often organize demonstrations at Laurel or Pimlico racetracks, where they call for a ban on horse racing.