A horse race is a horse-riding competition between two or more horses ridden by jockeys. They compete by riding them over a designated distance. There are many different types of horse races and it can be confusing to choose the best one. To get a handle on horse races, check out the following articles. You’ll find information about the different classes, fences, jockeys, and purses, as well as how to predict winners and place bets.

Classes

It is important to understand the various classes of horse races to determine if your pick can win. There are some horses that are late bloomers. They may have more than 15 starts, but they can still be competitive in a higher class. Also, do not limit your selection to horses that are already older. While some horses can jump to a higher class without showing much ability in their early starts, genuine top class horses will usually advance much more quickly. Some examples of early bloomers in higher classes include Makybe Diva, Weekend Hussler, and Black Caviar.

Fences

While many races today use the same type of fences, there are some notable differences from years past. The Kentucky Derby, for instance, moved the starting tape 90 yards closer to the first fence. This move made the race longer by two furlongs, and it also created a “no-go” zone between the starting tape and the fence. The start of the race was also repositioned and the starter’s rostrum was moved to a position between the starting tape and the ‘no-go zone.’ This helped to reduce the risk of a horse rushing through the starting tape prematurely.

Jockeys

In order to compete in horse races, jockeys must possess general knowledge of horses, which they often acquire by working in stables or interacting with trainers. To prepare for a race, jockeys spend time in the gym or outdoors to increase their strength. Since racehorses reach speeds of 40 to 55 miles per hour, jockeys must move quickly. Although there is some risk of injury in a horse race, injuries are rare with proper training.

Purses

Horse races usually have purses at different sizes. In general, the first place horse gets the largest share of the purse, followed by second place with about 15% of the prize money. The remaining purse money is distributed among the horses in the order of finishing position. The first place horse typically earns sixty to seventy percent of the prize money, with the remainder being split among the remaining horses. Florida’s purse money split was introduced in 1975, and it remains the most common.

Class system

A class system is an important part of the betting process when you’re betting on horse races. The strength of a field is gauged by its class rating. The class rating is based on a weighted average of speed ratings over the past six months. That means a horse with a high class rating will likely be competitive and earn more money. The more competitive a class is, the more likely it is to win the race.