You might have seen the race and wondered who won. This article will give you the lowdown on Harness, Stakes, and Turf racing, as well as the best bets to make on the big race. You can also pick your favorite horse if you’re not familiar with all the categories. But what are the most important races to watch? Let’s take a look! This article is not intended to be a betting guide.
Turf racing
Turf racing is one type of horse race. Horses are trained to run on the turf course and have the ability to handle a fast surface. Turf courses are usually used only when the ground is dry. Otherwise, wet weather can lead to divots in the track. During rainy weather, races are usually moved to a dirt course or a synthetic surface. Turf races are often a draw and many horses may scratch.
Steeplechase racing
Steeplechase racing is a distance horse race in which competitors jump over obstacles consisting of fences and ditches. The race is mostly conducted in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Ireland. Steeplechase is a fast and exciting sport for both horses and spectators. Here are some things to know about steeplechase:
Harness racing
Harness racing dates back to the ancient Romans and Greeks. King Assyria kept elaborate stables for their horses and hired professional trainers to improve their skills. Assyrians also used chariots for war and hunting. According to Homer, chariot races began in the 7th century bc, when four-hitch chariot races were introduced to the Olympics. Horses were bred locally or imported from northern Africa.
Stakes racing
Stakes racing in horse racing is a type of handicapped race in which horses compete against each other for a higher prize money than those in allowance races. In the United States, stakes races are overseen by the American Graded Stakes Committee. They derive their names from the stake, or entry fee, that is paid for each horse. The highest-ranking races, known as Grade I Stakes, are usually contested by horses of the same gender, age and class.
Claiming races
Claim races are a unique type of race that offers buyers the opportunity to purchase racehorses before the actual race. Claiming races are designed to make the racing field more balanced by allowing horses of similar abilities to compete against one another. While claiming races are not as profitable as stakes races, they can be valuable opportunities for buyers to get their hands on a potential winner. Usually, claiming races are held on certain dates throughout the year.