A horse race is a type of racing in which horses run against each other, usually over a distance. This is a sport that has been around for thousands of years and continues to thrive today.
It is a fun and exciting way to watch horses compete, with a variety of betting options available for each race. Some races include wagering on the winner, others offer a combination of betting opportunities for both winners and runners.
Horses have a natural instinct to move and react to their surroundings, which is one of the reasons why they are such good competitors. They have a unique ability to sense the direction and movement of other horses, as well as their position within the pack.
This skill is also used to navigate the track, and it allows the jockey to maintain a consistent pace without causing a horse to overexert itself. This is a very important aspect of the game, as it ensures that each horse can give the best effort possible in order to win.
There are some common terms that you should know, so that you can understand what is happening when a horse is running. These terms can help you make informed decisions on your bets.
Breaking Alone
Term generally used at the start, when a horse is sandwiched between rivals, losing valuable ground. It does not require the horse to steady sharply, however, it does mean that the horse will have to work to stay ahead of his opponents.
In some cases, the term can be used when a horse is thrown off stride for any reason, but it must be noted that the incident occurred during the early part of the race.
This is a less severe term than BORE OUT or BOLTED, which only pertains to the stretch run of the race. It is more akin to a horse that drifts gradually, which is another term that should be reviewed.
Steady (brief)
Occasionally a horse may have to be steadied by the jockey due to traffic conditions at the track. Often this will be done on the inside, so that the horse does not have to be thrown off his stride for the rest of the race.
These incidents should be recorded in the race book as a CHECKED event, if they occur during the course of the race. They should be recorded as such on the video tape replay, because it will help the stewards determine if the incident was intentional or accidental.
This term is interchangeable with TRAILED THROUGHOUT, ETC. This means that the horse was running in contention and he had a chance of winning, but at some point during the race, he simply failed to be a factor.
The term is also interchangeable with GAVE WAY, WEAKENED, FALTERED and OUTRUN.
Typically, a horse will lose a bit of ground in the early stages of the race and then gain it back later on, depending on the condition of the other horses in the race. If the other horses are tiring, he may be able to pick up some ground in the final stages of the race.