What You Need to Know Before You Bet on a Horse Race

Horse racing has entranced spectators for centuries. From betting on a winning jockey to eating top menu items at nearby eateries, there’s something for everyone at a race track. But behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred racing is a world of injuries, drug abuse and gruesome breakdowns for many of the animals. And while the sport has long been subsidized by taxpayers, it’s at a pivotal point that could see it collapse like its long-beleaguered cousin, dog racing.

A day at the races is a chance to wager on horses, watch trainers prepare them, and admire their glossy coats. But before you place your bets, it’s important to know some of the key racing terms.

Backstretch: A section of a track that’s farther down the stretch, near where the horses turn toward the finish line. Inquiry: An official investigation by the stewards to determine if a foul was committed by a horse or jockey during the running of a race. Hand ride: When a jockey urges a horse on by scrubbing his hands up and down its neck. A hand ride is a mild form of whipping and is less abrasive than the more common full-body whip. Heavy track: A racetrack that has received an excessive amount of water and is an almost bog-like condition. Handicap: A race that allows horses with varying levels of ability to compete against each other. In-the-money: Winnings a horse receives for finishing in the money; third or better. Overweight: A horse carrying more weight than it is capable of winning with. On the rail: A horse that is close to the lead. Overweight-to-win: A bet that pays out if a horse wins at odds of more than even money.

Pace: The speed at which a race is run. A slow pace is generally considered to be good for a long-distance race, while a fast pace is best for sprint races.

The state subsidizes horse racing by paying out big purses and funding local breeders, trainers and farmers who grow carrots and hay for the racehorses. But many insiders say that the industry is at a critical turning point. A few more wrong moves and the public’s willingness to subsidize the sport will disappear. They also argue that the money stimulates a multibillion-dollar economy, from the trainers who raise the horses to the farmers who grow their food and the taxpayers who fund the races. But animal rights activists point out that, in the end, it’s the horses who pay the price.