A horse race is a contest of speed between horses that are ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies. The race is conducted on a long oval track with an infield and a grandstand. The winner is the one who covers the distance in the least amount of time. A horse race is a popular spectator sport, especially in the United States, where it is widely known as the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. A horse race is a major part of American culture, and it is considered the most important event in the sport of thoroughbred racing.
When humans perched on their backs compel horses with a whip to breakneck speeds – known as horse racing – they must be careful not to injure them, or risk having their careers end in an instant. In nature, animals understand the concept of self-preservation, and they will stop running if they feel a sharp pain that says, “This is not good for me.” In the humanized world of the racetrack, however, horses continue to run even when they are injured, because the alternative is to die in a horrific crash.
To keep the game fair and encourage betting, a system called the condition book determines which horses are eligible to run in each race. Runners are placed into classes (like maidens and allowance) based on their age, sex, birthplace and prior performance. Trainers then use a mix of legal and illegal drugs to mask injuries, increase the chances of a winning race and enhance performance. Many horses bleed during races due to a condition called exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, and are treated with cocktail medications including antipsychotics, anabolic steroids, growth hormones, painkillers and blood doping agents.
As a result, the stewards of Santa Anita, the country’s premier horse racing facility, were in a state of high anxiety the week before the Breeders’ Cup race. In addition to a heightened security presence and the presence of veterinarians and imaging equipment, a team of scientists scoured each horse’s body for signs of trauma and injury.
In the United States, a horse race is a competition of speed between horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pulled by drivers and sulkies. The race is usually held over a distance of one to three miles, and the winner is credited with a certain number of points or purse money. The horse race is a popular spectator sport, and it is often used as an instrument for political campaigning and betting.
The classic succession horse race pits two or more senior executives against each other, with the winner becoming the next chief executive officer. Although some observers and experts are uncomfortable with this approach, it has proven to be an effective way of choosing an outstanding leader at corporate giants like General Electric, Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline and Abbott Laboratories. The horse race is an example of what’s known as a symbiotic relationship, in which each participant benefits from the other and vice versa.