Few sporting events evoke the same feelings of awe and wonder as a horse race. And with betting on races booming across the country, more people than ever are finding reasons to head to their local track and place a wager. But while the sport is an exciting and lucrative enterprise, horse racing has also been associated with a number of issues, including animal cruelty and inhumane training practices. This year, PETA launched a series of investigative films on the subject and has been exposing the dark side of the racing industry.
In recent years, the New York Times has taken a stand against horse racing and published a number of scathing pieces. But last week, the paper published what may be its most harsh and detailed piece yet. In an article titled “Dead Athletes. Empty Stands. Why Are We Paying Billions to Keep This Sport Alive?”, Noah Shachtman delves into the economics of the sport and questions whether taxpayers should be supporting it.
From the start: A horse’s condition, or fitness level, can play a crucial role in its performance during a race. To evaluate this, the horse will often undergo a warm-up, or practice session, prior to starting the main event. Observing the way that the horse moves, and how it interacts with its jockey or driver can give clues to its overall health and performance.
While a horse is warming up, the track will typically have other activities going on that can add to the experience for fans and onlookers alike. For example, the race track will often host games where bettors can place a wager on anything related to the race. They can be placed on anything from the winner of the race, to who will win a particular race segment or the overall race.
In addition to these supplementary activities, the race track will have its own specific rules and regulations that must be followed by horses, trainers, and riders. These include a number of rules that can lead to injury or even death for horses if not adhered to correctly. For example, horses are not permitted to graze during the race, a common cause of injuries. In some cases, a grazing horse can even be fatally injured by being kicked or run over by other horses.