Horse races are competitions between horses involving speed and stamina. Horse racing has been practiced in numerous civilizations, such as Ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon, and Egypt; as well as being part of myth and legend such as Odin’s race between Hrungnir and Frigg in Norse mythology. Over time horse racing has evolved from an ancestral contest of speed and endurance into a modern sport featuring huge fields of runners equipped with sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment and large amounts of money – but its basic concept remains unchanged – when first place finishes first is declared –
Conditions races offer the largest purses, rewarding horses with exceptional combinations of age, gender, sex, training, and past performance. Other races known as allowance races typically feature smaller purses; weight may be reduced for horses based on factors like their age or birthplace.
Before dash racing was ever popular, jockey skill in coaxing extra yards from their mount was considered essential to its winning performance. Once one-heat racing became common practice however, this task became much harder; horses needed to cover greater distance in less time; yet riders soon developed techniques and gadgets to remain near leaders before breaking away in the final furlong.
The horse-racing industry is a multibillion-dollar venture that employs thousands of workers and generates significant revenues for state governments and Louisville, Kentucky – where horse racing resides – among others. But its popularity has declined recently amid criticism that some see as gambling or use of illegal substances on horses rather than legitimate sport.
Other critics have focused on the abusive treatment of racehorses, who are drugged, whipped and trained until their physical strength collapses. According to Patrick Battuello of Horseracing Wrongs activist group, these “athletes” spend most of their lives isolated within a stall where they are subject to multiple abuses such as whippings. If one fails to perform, however, euthanization or auction sale can occur where many will end up slaughtered in Canada or Mexico.
Researchers have conducted extensive studies of news coverage that frames elections like horse races, with frontrunners and underdogs who are making gains being highlighted by news outlets. They discovered this coverage tends to increase during the final weeks prior to Election Day; corporate-owned newspapers tend to run such stories more than independents as this strategy of political reporting can become particularly prominent when races are close.