A horse race is a competition in which horses of similar size run over a set course at an agreed distance, with fixed weights attached to each horse. This system is based on ancient Greek racing and was refined by the Romans and later by the Arabs. It became the dominant form of flat racing in Europe, and is a major sport around the world.
In the United States, horse races are held at a variety of track types, including dirt and turf. They can be organized as sprints (races of less than two miles) or routes, which are longer, often with two or more turns. Sprints are considered a test of speed, while long-distance races are a test of stamina.
The most popular races in the US are the Triple Crown series, which includes the Belmont Stakes, Preakness Stakes and the Kentucky Derby. The greatest horses are immortalized by their wins in these events, and many people consider the triumph of Secretariat in the Belmont to be the most glorious moment in thoroughbred history.
Horses are prey animals in the wild, and running fast comes naturally to them. They love to run, and they run in packs, keeping each other safe. They do not aspire to win, however; winning is a human construct that encourages them to run faster and risk injury.
It is a grim sight when a horse breaks down during a race. It is not just a sad end for the animal; it can be devastating for spectators and bettors who have invested their money in a hope of seeing an amazing performance. This is why a large proportion of horse bettors root for a particular horse by name, rather than simply their number. Seabiscuit, for example, had a huge following among bettors.
There are plenty of reasons to root for a particular horse in a race, including the beauty of the horses themselves and the excitement of the event. But the bottom line is that a horse must be able to win in order for bettors to make money. The best way to ensure this is by putting a quality horse in the running with a chance of victory.
When journalists covering politics focus primarily on how a candidate is faring in the polls, to the detriment of third-party candidates and other important policy issues – what researchers call horse race journalism – they are doing a disservice to voters, politicians and the news industry itself. This collection of research explores the effects of this style of reporting, including how it encourages cynicism toward political elites and the democratic process itself.