The FanSided beginner’s guide to horse racing
By Zoe West
The basic premise of horse racing is simple: the fastest one wins. Here’s everything you need to know beyond that.
Who can participate?
This segment of the racing industry that includes horse races like the Kentucky Derby — the largest segment — is restricted to thoroughbred horses. Some races are limited by gender, and some by age. Generally, the “girls” can enter any of the races, but the “boys” have to stay away from the “fillies and mares only” ones.
The Kentucky Derby and the other races in the Triple Crown are restricted by age, only horses 3 years old may enter. There is a pretty vigorous prep schedule in the beginning of the year, where horses attempt to win “Kentucky Derby points.” The top 20 point-getters are allowed to enter the Derby. If one of those 20 doesn’t want to run in the Kentucky Derby the eligibility would simply move down a peg, but that rarely happens.
What happens next?
Once the field is set, a post position draw takes place so if/when a horse is at a disadvantage because of its starting position, at least the position was assigned randomly. Horse racing is full of superstitions. Certain positions in the gate have produced more winners, and thus are more desirable, than others. Much of that gets covered during the post parade, or when the horses walk by the stands on their way out to the starting gate. This also allows any of the bettors one last chance to examine the horses and place their bets.
Flat races in the United States are always run counterclockwise. Similarly to how most people are tight-handed, most horses are, essentially, left-handed. This means they are more comfortable leading with their left front leg, and turning to the left. This is especially important at speed.
What do these horse racing terms mean?
Win, Place, Show: Win, obviously, means win. Place and show are less intuitive terms, but place means to come in second, and show to come in third.
Post position: This refers to the slot in the starting gate that the horse comes out of. One is closest to the rail, and 20 furthest outside. The horses don’t have to stay in their lane obviously, so the horse in the outside post positions have to run a slightly longer race than the one on the rail. The distances for the races are measured along the track’s inner railing.
Photo finish: This means that two horses (it could be the first two, second and third, third and fourth or whatever) finish so closely together that the racing officials go back and review the race footage and still photos taken as they crossed the finish line to determine the winner.
Stretch: The final straightaway before the wire (or finish line). This is where a lot of the battling for position takes place. Related: Backstretch, or the straight run of the far side of the track.
Post time: This is the scheduled time when the horses will be (should be) entering the starting gate, about to begin the race.
Bump: The equivalent of a foul in most team sports. Obviously a small amount of bumping and jostling is expected, but if it is too aggressive the officials can eliminate the horse/jockey responsible.
Furlong: An eighth of a mile. You will sometimes hear the Derby referred to as a “10 furlong” race, that simply means it is 1 1/4 miles long.
Quarter pole or half-mile pole: These terms are slightly misleading. They do not refer to the distance the horse has run, but rather the distance until the finish line. However, you will also hear the announcer giving out times for a quarter, half, or three-quarters of a mile. These times are how quickly the lead horse ran that distance. Generally, for a race as long as the Derby, a fast pace is somewhere around 12 seconds per furlong, or a 12 clip. It is unusual for horses to finish a race as long as the Derby at this pace, but not unheard of. The record set by Secretariat is 1:59.4, a 12 clip would be 2:00.
The wire: The finish line. Very simple.
A fast track: This means that the first on the track is generally in good condition. It isn’t too wet, slippy, muddy or deep. In simpler terms, this means that the track will help the horse run faster.
Next: 20 short stories about the 2018 Kentucky Derby horses
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