A horse race is a form of competition wherein its winner is determined through betting on horses. There are various forms of horse races, from handicap races (where horses must carry certain weight during racing), speed races and stakes races (where horses are judged based on previous performances and pedigree), with Triple Crown races comprising Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes being the most sought-after and challenging. These races draw attention from bettors alike and garner immense amounts of betting action).

Early horse races were likely chariot and unmounted (bareback) contests held as far back as 9th or 8th century BCE in Asia Minor; these races may have taken place as early as Homer’s Iliad and other Greek literature mention them. By 5th century BCE, Greek author Xenophon detailed steeplechase races held over natural terrain which involved jumping over obstacles; these events are known today in America as jump races or hurdle races.

Flat horse races that do not involve jumping are decided on by a combination of speed and stamina, pedigree analysis, and race rules governing eligibility. A qualifying horse typically must come from two purebred members of one breed parentage to enter; an unmatched ancestry could disqualify a participant while any race that violates official rules could even be declared null and void.

Horse racing remains an immensely popular international pastime; however, in the United States its popularity is diminishing quickly. Attendance at horse races has declined substantially over recent years; jockeys alone rarely outnumber anyone aged 60+ on the track; potential fans are turned off by allegations of cruelty, drug use and injuries sustained at races.

Researchers refer to such coverage as “horse race coverage.” When journalists primarily cover elections by focusing on who’s winning or losing – known as “horse race coverage” – voters, candidates, and the news industry all suffer. One study of newspaper coverage of gubernatorial and senatorial elections in 2004 and 2006 showed that corporate-owned newspapers were more likely to frame races as competitive games than smaller or medium-sized chains; coverage most frequently occurred when close races or when one candidate led; coverage also examined whether its tone favored one party over another party.