A horse race is a contest of speed between horses, usually ridden by jockeys. It can also refer to a contest between humans riding on sulkies (or horse-drawn wagons) and competing for the chance to win a prize. The sport has a long history, and has been an important part of culture in the human race since ancient times. Archaeological evidence indicates that horse racing has occurred in cultures as diverse as Egypt, Babylon, Syria, and ancient Greece. The horse races of today are often similar to those of the past, but have evolved in response to technological advances and social changes.
The most famous horse races are the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Both races have a rich tradition and are held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. These horse races are popular with gamblers, who place bets on the winner of a given race, or on the entire field. Many people also watch the races to enjoy the atmosphere and see a spectacle of the finest horse breeding and training in the world.
Feeling the earth shake as a mass of thundering hooves goes barreling down the stretch is one of those quintessential Kentucky experiences. But this election cycle has felt less like a horse race than many in the past, with voters seeing only a nail-biter.
Eleven horses broke cleanly from the gate and started to run around the clubhouse turn on a dirt track. The leader was War of Will, that year’s Preakness champion. But he was tiring, and on the far turn Mongolian Groom, a chestnut colt with a little more pace, took the lead. McKinzie, a small-framed bay, was just behind.
In the early 19th century, horse races became more popular as people began to wager on them. In response, the Jockey Club developed rules that were designed to eliminate cheating and maintain fair play. These included requiring certificates of origin for horses and imposing additional weight on foreign-breds. In addition, the Jockey Club tried to limit the number of races that horses could compete in.
By the end of the 19th century, the horse race had become a metaphor for an uncertain, close contest. It was not uncommon for the steeds of the two leading candidates to finish within a hair’s width of each other. This closeness made the race seem as if it were impossible to call, but it did not prevent people from continuing to wage bets on the outcome. This betting helped fuel the popularity of quick polls in swing states, which became cheaper to conduct than traditional horse races.