In horse racing, a horse race is a competition among horses that are ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and their drivers. The term horse race can also be used more broadly to refer to close contests in a variety of athletic and political events. For example, the 2012 presidential election often feels like a horse race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
The reality behind the romanticized facade of horse racing is a world of injuries, drugs, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter. The sport is unequivocally unnatural, forcing horses to sprint for their lives – frequently under the threat of whips and illegal electric shock devices – at speeds far beyond their natural abilities. This relentless training causes serious, often fatal injuries, including hemorrhaging from the lungs, bone fractures, and heart attacks. It is not uncommon for a racehorse to die during or after a race, often from shock, a traumatic head injury, or starvation.
Although horses are born to run and love to compete, their bodies are not suited for running long distances over a course of hills and curves. The sport is dangerous, even for the best-trained horses. Injuries are common, especially in races over 3 1/2 miles (6 kilometers). After a race, the surviving horses are usually sent to slaughterhouses to be turned into glue, horse food, or meat for people who enjoy eating them in France and Japan.
The most famous horse race in the world is the Kentucky Derby, a 2 1/2-mile (6.4-kilometer) race that takes place in Louisville, Kentucky. Almost always held on the first Saturday in May, the Derby is one of the most popular sporting events in the United States. Approximately 100,000 spectators attend the event each year, and millions more watch it on television. The race is held at Churchill Downs, a historic track that is home to the Kentucky Derby and many other thoroughbred races.
A key component of a horse race is the changing of leads, which allows a runner to use different parts of his body to channel energy throughout the duration of a race. Typically, North American races are run on a counter-clockwise course, so a runner is likely to be on his right lead during the straightaways and on his left lead around the turns. A runner who stays on the same lead for too long will tire more quickly, so it is important that he learns to change leads on command.
There is a lot of debate in journalism circles about whether news outlets should engage in horse race reporting during the weeks leading up to elections. Critics argue that this type of coverage elevates the public’s cynicism about politics and may even discourage people from voting, especially in competitive elections with high stakes. But supporters point out that the freedoms of speech and press give news outlets broad leeway to report what they want, so long as they don’t overstate their findings.