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·
How to Wager ·
· Glossary ·
· How to Read the Program ·
·How to Read the Racing Form·
· Responsible Wager ·
· Wagering FAQ ·
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The Five Essentials of
Horse Racing
The Horse
Bred for speed and stamina over the centuries, the
Thoroughbred is at once beautiful to the eye and
explosive to watch when racing. As the centerpiece of
the sport, the race horse is highly competitive and
generates spectator excitement. At Turf Paradise there
are over 2,200 Thoroughbreds stabled on the backside for
the eight month race meet.
The Jockey
Pound for pound considered the most fit of athletes,
a jockey combines strength and savvy when in the heat of
competition. Generally under five feet tall and weighing
no more than 112 pounds, a jockey makes split second
decisions while traveling 40 mph aboard a 1,200 pound
animal that is racing in close competitive quarters with
other similarly determined horses and riders. There are
about 85 jockeys at Turf Paradise during the race meet.
The Trainer
Although the Thoroughbred is bred and born to run,
it’s the trainer that brings out the best in each horse.
All horses may be beautiful, but they’re not created
equal. Some run faster than others. It’s the trainer’s
responsibility not only to see to the horse’s physical
conditioning but to recognize the animal’s level of
talent and race him accordingly. There are over 350
trainers on the grounds when the race meet is in
session.
The Owner
The owner is one of two of the financial components
of the sport. Whether the horse is purchased out of a
claiming race, at a sale or privately, it costs money.
To keep a Thoroughbred in training costs $10,000 to
$12,000 a year. Owners come from all walks of life and
group ownership, designed to share the expenses, is
increasingly popular. However, one thing all owners have
in common, is, that one of their horses will one day be
good enough to make it to Louisville for the first
Saturday in May – The Kentucky Derby. There are over
2,000 owners who race their horses at Turf Paradise.
The Fan
All sports depend on their fans and horse racing is
no exception. Over the past five years horse racing’s
fan base nationwide has increased. In fact, horse racing
is the fastest growing sport among women. Over 800,000
fans attended the horse races last season, making Turf
Paradise one of Arizona’s leading tourist attractions
and third overall among the Top 25 sports venues in the
Valley. |
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