| What comes to mind when you think of horse racing? | | | | today is 5'10''. The jockey maintains control of the |
| A few of the basics that I think of are the horse, the | | | | horse, basically using its signals to tell the horse when |
| jockey and of course, the gambling. These are | | | | to speed up or slow down. This can also be |
| probably the most obvious but they each involve a lot | | | | dangerous, these horses can often weigh around |
| of detail when it comes to making all of this possible. In | | | | 1000lbs. It takes a lot of skill to be able to guide such a |
| this article, I will give you a little bit of information on the | | | | massive animal so gracefully and they make it look so |
| basics of horse racing. | | | | effortless. One wrong move could be tragic for the |
| When it comes to the horses, Thoroughbreds are the | | | | jockey and the horse, sometimes even fatal. |
| main competitors in this sport. This breed of horse has | | | | And of course, we cannot forget the gambling. Placing |
| a very rich bloodline, all Thoroughbreds today can be | | | | a bet sounds simple enough but this can be very |
| traced back to three stallions that were brought to | | | | confusing when it come to betting on horse races. You |
| England around the 17th century. These horses are | | | | must first know the odds. Each track should have this |
| known for their agility, and speed. They can cover | | | | information for you, or you can also look it up on the |
| more than twenty feet in one stride and reach up to | | | | internet. If you already know what you are doing, |
| forty miles per hour. Another breed of horse that is | | | | placing the bet has become much more convenient |
| used in some races is the Quarter horse. These are | | | | due to it now being legal to place them online and by |
| American bred horses that are known for their speed | | | | phone. The most simple kinds of bets include win, place |
| when it comes to short distance racing. They will | | | | and show. These are pretty basic and easy to |
| sometimes use Thoroughbred horses to help train the | | | | understand, but there are much more intricate bets |
| Quarter horse, since Thoroughbreds are so fast. | | | | that take some time to learn, these include Exacta, |
| Jockeys are often overlooked but without them it | | | | Quinella, Trifecta, and Superfecta. |
| would be extremely hard to control the horses. They | | | | Knowing a few of the basics might help you |
| can be male or female, and have to follow strict | | | | appreciate the race a little more. A lot of time and |
| weight requirements. One myth is that they have to be | | | | dedication from the horses and jockey's go into |
| short, this is not true at all, it can be perceived that way | | | | making each race happen. Although it is the main |
| because it usually takes a smaller person to be able to | | | | attraction of horse racing, gambling really is a small part |
| handle the low weight. The tallest jockey activity racing | | | | of what the sport is really all about. |