A horse race is an event where two or more horses are ridden by jockeys and compete for a set distance, usually a mile or more. This sport has a long and distinguished history dating back to ancient Greece and Rome and is now practised throughout the world.
It’s a popular activity and an excellent way to pass the time, and in the United States it is often regarded as one of the more interesting pastimes. It was a popular pastime in the early American colonies, and by the 1830s there were over 130 thoroughbred races in North America.
The history of horse racing dates back to the Middle Ages and the English Civil War, when horses were used for both military and political purposes. The sport was popularized in the United States by American settlers, who viewed it as a way to show chivalry.
During the colonial period, racing was more popular in the South than in the North. Virginia became the center of horse-racing activity in the early nineteenth century.
These days, there are countless different types of wagering opportunities available for the horseplayer. From the simple win-and-place bet to the more complicated Quinella, a player can bet on individual races or even a group of several individual races with a single wager.
GAMELY – A term used for a horse that turned in a solid performance, but failed to come away with the victory for any number of reasons. He could have overcome traffic problems, dueled for command throughout, or may have been forced to race wide throughout while finishing well and may have been best with better racing luck
FOUND – Another term used for a horse that was gaining ground steadily and closing on the pace with every stride. This type of comment can be helpful to handicappers as a horse that is slowly gaining ground will most likely be the best in the stretch run and should be considered a strong candidate for the victory if they manage to pull it off.
JUMPED – Another term used for a horse who jumps the shadows that cover the track from time to time. This is especially useful in determining the track bias of a horse as it may mean that they are not being allowed to see their own shadow.
ROUTE – A term that is also often used by handicappers for a horse that has been running on the lead or in a fast pace. This is particularly useful when a handicapper is trying to determine a horse’s position on the track and can easily be overlooked.
PAINED – A term that is used to describe a horse who has suffered some kind of injury and the rider wishes to emphasize that this is an injury that will require some recovery time, rather than a serious one. The horse will most likely need to be restrained in order to recover from the injuries.
Blocked – A term that is used to describe a racehorse who is unable to make a move or has no room to run because he is blocked by other horses in front of him. This can be a very frustrating experience for the rider and can result in him being slowed down or even pulled up for a while.
