Horse races are events in which a number of horses compete against each other in order to win a prize. They can be run over a variety of distances, including sprints, routes, and long-distance races such as those held at the Palio di Siena in Italy. During a horse race, bettors can place wagers on the outcome of the race by placing money on specific horses or groups of horses. This type of wager is called a “horse race.” It is also possible to bet on the overall winner of the race, which is called a “stakes.” In addition to wagering on individual horses, bettors can place money on the total number of runners to finish the race (the field). This is known as a “show.” Bets on the show pay out less than those placed on the individual winners.
The most common race is a claiming race. These are open to horses who have not won a certain amount of money in their career. They are often grouped into different levels, such as the 25k “non winners of two” or the 20k “non winners of three.” The level a horse is entered in determines how much he can potentially earn. The higher the level, the more likely he is to be claimed.
Claiming races are very popular with owners who want to get their horses in a race without risking too much money. This strategy allows them to receive a large portion of the prize money, even if they don’t win. In a claiming race, the racing secretary or track handicapper assigns weights to entrants that are designed to equalize their winning chances. Better-quality horses carry heavier weights than those with a worse record.
In the United States, there are several different types of horse races. For example, there are flat races that have varying lengths of up to four miles. Shorter races are known as sprints, while longer distances are referred to as routes or staying races.
Another type of horse race is a steeplechase. These are usually held over a course with one or more obstacles. They are very dangerous for the horses, and have a high rate of injury.
There are also harness racing competitions. These are similar to standard flat races, except that the horse’s sire and dam must be purebred. The most famous event of this type is the Kentucky Derby, which takes place annually in Louisville, Kentucky, and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
A growing body of research shows that when journalists cover elections and focus primarily on who is ahead or behind – what researchers call “horse race coverage” – voters, candidates, and the news industry itself suffer. Researchers Johanna Dunaway and Regina G. Lawrence recently studied print newspaper articles that described electoral contests for governor and U.S. Senate in 2004, 2006, and 2008. They found that corporate-owned and larger-chain newspapers were more likely to write stories that framed elections as competitive games.