Typically, horse racing involves two or more horses being ridden by jockeys. Each horse is ridden over a specific distance for competition. There are several types of horse racing, including harness racing and the Triple Crown.
The Triple Crown
Often referred to as “The Triple Crown”, the Triple Crown horse race is a series of three major horse racing events that test a horse’s skills and ability. The three races are: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. These three races are considered to be the pinnacle of achievement in thoroughbred racing.
The Triple Crown horse race has been around for nearly a century. It first appeared in England in 1776 and later expanded to other countries. Until the 1930s, the races were not officially recognized as Triple Crowns.
The Triple Crown title was officially proclaimed in December 1950. However, there have been many horses who have failed to win the title. These horses have included Count Fleet, Gallant Fox, War Admiral and Omaha.
The Test of the Champion
Besides winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes is the ultimate test of a three-year-old’s endurance. It’s not to be overlooked. It is a 1.5-mile test of grit and nerves for a variety of horse types.
Several noteworthy names have graced the hallowed turf in recent years. Some of the notables include the likes of Secretariat, Rags to Riches, and the ever-reliable A.P. Indy. A couple of foreign horses have made it to the winner’s circle as well. The New York Racing Association has made a few tweaks to its signature stakes to keep things fresh. The NYRA’s vice president of racing operations, Martin Panza, explained the changes.
Harness racing
Basically, harness racing is a speed sport in which horses compete in a specific gait. The two main gaits are the trot and the pace. Pacers are faster than trotters and are the main performers in harness racing. Pacers are aided by plastic loops called hobbles.
Trotting is a two beat diagonal gait where the horse’s front and rear legs hit together at the same time. Trotters are tethered to a two wheeled cart called a sulky. The cart is attached to the horse’s saddle.
Pacers are faster than trotters because they move both legs on one side of their body at the same time. Pacers are also known as “side wheelers”. Pacers wear hobbles to keep their legs moving together.
The Belmont Stakes
Usually held on the first or second Saturday of June, the Belmont Stakes horse race takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. This is a one-and-a-half-mile race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. The Belmont Stakes was named after 19th-century banker August Belmont.
In a long race like the Belmont Stakes, positioning is important. A horse can’t run as fast early in the race, but a late charge can be crucial.
In 2004, the Belmont Stakes had the biggest attendance in park history. Sal Valentinetti will perform the iconic “New York, New York” song before the race begins.
The Belmont Stakes is often referred to as the “Test of the Champion,” and is nicknamed the “Run for the Carnations.” A winning horse is presented with 700 white carnations and a blanket of 500 black-eyed Susans after the race.
Place bets vs win bets
Compared to win bets, place bets are easier to comprehend. They offer lower payouts, but they also come with a certain amount of risk.
A place bet is a wager placed on a horse to finish in one of the top two positions in a race. The payout is based on the horse’s odds at the time of the race. Similarly, a win bet involves picking a horse to win a race.
The place bet is considered the simplest bet to make. A win bet, on the other hand, is the more complicated wager. If a horse wins, it will pay out both the place and win portions of the bet.
Superstitious factors to handicap horses
Amongst the myriad horse racing contestants, a lucky horse has a small chance of winning. For this reason, it’s important to find the horse that best suits your betting tastes. This is best accomplished by selecting the best horse on the basis of its class rating, as well as its pedigree. There are many horse betting sites that offer a variety of options, from single and double bets to exotic wagers. A savvy horse lover will scour the internet for the best odds and will avoid the pitfalls of high stakes betting. To avoid a losing streak, it’s best to know what you’re doing before you enter the fray.