| There's just something about the majestic horse that's | | | | descent that have been bred specifically for ability to |
| enthralled human beings for thousands years. Whether | | | | carry weight while maintaining speed over extended |
| it's the gentle giants' grace and beauty or their ability to | | | | distances. Sleek, beautiful and fast, thoroughbreds are |
| help humans get big jobs done - or both - humans and | | | | born to run and run well. To be considered competitive |
| horses have gone hand-in-hand throughout history. In | | | | stock, thoroughbreds must maintain a strict pedigree, |
| addition their more utilitarian functions, horses have also | | | | as well. |
| been greatly appreciated for their ability to race. In fact, | | | | The tradition of horse racing in America and |
| horse racing has been and remains a big attraction. | | | | elsewhere runs deep, especially with the |
| The roots of horse racing date back to about 4,500 | | | | thoroughbreds. American thoroughbred horse racing |
| BC when nomads from Central Asia first learned to | | | | has long been a popular sport with winning horses |
| domesticate the gentle beasts. Known for their grace, | | | | becoming household names. With four-legged heroes |
| agility and speed, horses were naturals for use in | | | | such as Citation, Secretariat and Seattle Slew to |
| competition. In the past, horse racing was a sport of | | | | champion the way, the American sport of |
| kings and nobility. Knights and their noble steeds would | | | | thoroughbred racing is well established and followed. |
| race, training for battle and long-distance runs. | | | | In America the big thoroughbred races center around |
| Nowadays, horse racing is a big business that centers | | | | three particular events - the Kentucky Derby, the |
| on a lucrative industry that rakes in millions and millions | | | | Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Horses |
| of dollars through the placement of bets. Modern horse | | | | that can win all three races in a single year are |
| racing is one of the few forms of legalized gambling | | | | deemed "Triple Crown" winners and are celebrated in |
| and it's one that's enjoyed by people around the globe. | | | | much the same manner as a Super Bowl-winning |
| Horse racing is such a big sport, in fact, that figures | | | | quarterback would be. Very few horses can pull off |
| from the late 1980s show that more than 56 million | | | | wins in all three arenas. |
| people attended racing events and bet more than $9 | | | | So, what is the draw of horse racing? |
| billion on their favorites. The numbers have only | | | | That answer depends on the spectator in question. |
| climbed from there! | | | | But, for many, it's the thrill of the race itself, rooting for |
| Thoroughbred horse racing is by far the most popular | | | | a favorite horse and the chance to rake in big on bets. |
| of the types of horse racing that involves wagering. | | | | Some, however, simply enjoy watching the incredible |
| But what are thoroughbreds and why are they so fun | | | | spectacle of the beautiful and large animals race |
| to watch and bet on? | | | | around the track with a level of grace a ballerina could |
| Thoroughbreds basically are a special breed of horse | | | | only hope for. Whatever the draw, horse racing is a |
| that traces its ancestry back to specific horses. | | | | sport that runs deep in tradition and is loved by millions. |
| Thoroughbreds are primarily horses that have Arabian | | | | |