Horse racing, with its storied traditions and ceremonial pageantry, still captivates millions of fans around the world. But a look behind the scenes reveals a bruising struggle to survive, one in which staying above poverty lines is the norm and even a few bad moves can mean unemployment. Despite billions of dollars in economic activity, boosters say that racing is at a critical juncture, with the public losing faith in a sport that sucks money from local communities and gives it to millionaires, all while putting horses at risk.
The industry’s backers argue that the billions of dollars racing brings in stimulate a multibillion-dollar equine economy, from the breeders and trainers to the farmers who grow carrots and hay for the horses. They also point to the fact that if racing were to shut down, it would hurt thousands of families in rural America. But critics like Mr. Faraldo, who runs a charity for injured racehorses, insist that these claims are misleading. They argue that the government is subsidizing a form of gambling, and that taxpayers’ dollars are better spent on education and health care for poor people.
In recent years, racing officials have begun tackling animal welfare in earnest. Spurred by reports of animal cruelty and gruesome videos exposed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, officials have mandated that designated veterinarians inspect thoroughbreds before every race. They have instituted a nationalized drug-testing system and use PET scans, developed by Palantir, to flag horses that are at greater risk of injury.
Many races are open events in which horses of all ages and from any stable may enter, but others have rules that narrow the field. The age, sex and birthplace of a horse are considered when selecting runners for a race, as are its past performance. For example, a horse that has won only in handicaps (where the winner is determined by the number of votes cast for it) or in sprint races will not be allowed to run a steeplechase, which involves jumping over barriers, and is named after contests over natural terrain in which church steeples served as landmarks.
During the warmup before a race, onlookers can observe how a horse and its jockey or driver work together. Those who are betting on the race can consult the tote board to see which horses have the best odds, which jockeys or drivers are likely to win and how much a wager can make them.
Before the race, an official checks a jockey’s and horse’s weight and saddles for any illegal substances. The jockey and the horse are then paraded through the paddock for inspection before they mount and start the race. Once the race begins, bettors can follow along on the tote board as the odds and winning payouts are updated in real time.
