What to Expect From a Horse Race
Written by
A horse race is a classic sport that has entranced spectators for centuries. While a day at the races can be fun, it’s also important to remember that behind this glamorous facade is a world of injuries, drug abuse, and gruesome breakdowns.
The earliest races were match contests between two horses. By the early 18th century pressure from public interest produced events with larger fields of runners.
The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of horse racing’s coveted Triple Crown. It is held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs track in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is limited to three-year-old Thoroughbred horses and is 1.25 miles long.
The Derby’s most legendary moment occurred in 1973, when Secretariat bucked the odds and won the race by nearly two minutes. This record still stands, and the horse was hailed as one of the greatest ever.
While female horses are allowed to compete in the Derby, it’s an incredibly rare occurrence for them to claim victory. Only three fillies have won the Derby, including Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980, and Winning Colors in 1988.
While the Derby is often referred to as “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports,” it’s also known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” Not only does winning the race carry great prestige, but it can also earn a colt or filly millions in stud fees.
The Preakness Stakes
Founded two years before the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown series. It’s a classic horse race that tests a colt’s stamina and ability to compete with the best horses in the world. The winner is awarded a blanket of the state flower, the Black-Eyed Susan.
The race’s history includes many rivalries between horses and jockeys. The fastest winners are usually great sprinters, while those known for their endurance may not perform as well on a shorter track.
The renowned jockey John Velazquez finally won the Preakness after 13 attempts, riding the 2023 champion, National Treasure to victory. He is among the most successful jockeys in horse racing, earning over $497 million during his career and winning three Kentucky Derbys and two Belmont Stakes.
The Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is the third and final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. It is a long race, often dubbed the “Test of the Champion.” By the time the Belmont Stakes rolls around, horses competing in it have already ran two races and are at their peak condition. It can be a tricky race to predict.
Historically, horses with higher odds have won the Belmont Stakes, so bettors should consider taking a shot on underdogs. However, betting on exotics like exactas and trifectas is more profitable.
Founded in 1867, the Belmont Stakes is named after August Belmont Sr., a leading banker and horse breeder of the 19th century who owned the famous champions Man O’War and Tracery. It has been run at various distances and tracks, but it was moved to Belmont Park in 1905. It is currently the longest of the three Triple Crown races at 1.5 miles.
The Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup is the year-end culminating event that every horse owner, trainer and jockey dream of. The two day, 14 race event showcases the best of the best in Thoroughbred racing from around the world. Horses from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, South Africa and of course the United States all compete in this top notch event.
Winners of the Breeders’ Cup races cement their status as champions, bolster breeding values and create lasting legacies. Many end-of-year awards, including Horse of the Year, often hinge on performances in this prestigious competition.
There are three ways for a horse to qualify to race at the Breeders’ Cup: Win a Breeders’ Cup Challenge, earn points or be selected by the Breeders’ Cup panel. The panels will rank horses that have pre-entered in the oversubscribed races based on their performance throughout the season. If a horse has qualified in more than one way, the highest ranking will receive a starting position.