Archive for the ‘Horse Racing’ Category

More than gambling: The thrill of the horse race

Monday, January 15th, 2007

There must be a reason why attending and betting on horse races have remained a popular past time and gambling activities all through these years, and it’s definitely not because of the money that a person, who manages to correctly predict the winner of a race (or two), stands to win. Horse racing is more than bets and wagers. It’s about a lot of other more intangible reasons.

Horse racing has become so popular because the venue itself serves as a meeting or a networking venue. There’s always something for everyone at the horse races. Friends can gather together at the track to bet on their favorite steed, to talk about the latest happening in their lives, or just to watch the horses. Inside the corporate boxes, businessmen can talk about mergers and acquisitions, business transactions, or just create a larger network of contacts. A day at the horse track is also ideal for family gatherings. What better way to bond with one another than an afternoon watching and rooting for your horse to win a race.

Other people watch horse races to admire the grace and beauty of these magnificent animals. And others gamble and watch horse races for the thrill a run gives. It’s exciting enough to watch marvelous horses race to the finish line. You get an inexplicable thrill just rooting and hoping for your favored horse to win. What more when you have, not just a jockey, but also a few dollars riding on that animal?

The thrill of horse races does not just happen when the animals rush across the finish line. The adrenalin rush starts the minute you step into the arena because you immediately feel the excitement and joy of all the attendees. Seeing the animals trot from the stables to the race track elicit a sense of awe and can make a person feel honored to be in the presence of these wonderful steeds. The fervor peaks when the horses are led to the starting box, and everyone watches with baited breath as they wait for the gun to signal the start of the race. As the horses thunder towards the finish line, you feel your heart beating just as fast as the hooves of these animals, and then just when the tension is about to subside, your heart pumps up again as the horses cross the finish line. No other sport can make you feel this way – and this is why people are addicted to horse racing. It’s not for the money – it’s for the thrill of it.

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How do you pick the right horse to bet on?

Monday, January 15th, 2007

Betting on horse races may probably be one of the oldest forms of gambling in the modern world. Initially, only members of the upper crust watched and bet on the outcome of the races but, during the depression, more people started attending horse races. What initially started as an alternative form of entertainment – something to do to while away the time, became one of the most popular gambling activities in the world.

Regular attendees of horse races already know which horses are worth gambling on, and which steeds are not. If you are new to this game, you won’t have that advantage and, chances are, you may just bet on the horse that looks nice or has an easy to remember name.

Betting on horses, however, is easier than it seems. Just like pro athletes, horses too have statistics and these can be viewed through the horse-racing information flyer which you can easily obtain at selected areas of the race track. The flyer lists down all the races scheduled for that day and all the horses slated to race. Underneath or beside the name of the horse, are statistics. Highlighted are details of the horse’s last few races (what his standing is at the end of the race), where the races where held, when he last ran and other information which would aid newbies in deciding which horse to bet on.

When reading the statistics, see how many winning streaks the horse has had. How he performed in a particular kind of race (in terms of distance), and the horse last ran, are other factors which you should look at and consider. From there, you can interpolate or interpret the figures. Do you think that the horse will reach his peak during the race? Will he be tired after running several races or will he be raring to go?

Prior to the races, you can also go around the race track. Normally, the horses that will be running in the next race warm up or trot in a pre-designated area that can be viewed by the public. Through this, you can gauge the physical attributes of the horses and can make a decision based on this.

You can also check on the odds. If you want to win big, bet on the horse that is least likely to win. Horses that are favored to win have smaller odds and the return you get from a bet will not be substantial.