A horse race is a contest of speed between horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and their drivers. It is a popular spectator sport that has long been part of our culture and history. The term horse race can also be used as a metaphor for any close form of competition. It has even been applied to political contests. With all the mudslinging, name calling, attack ads and horse-race theatrics, the real issues at stake in this election easily get lost in the noise. Behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred horse racing is a world of injuries, drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter. Despite a growing awareness of the dark side of racing, many still cling to the fantasy that the industry is broadly fair and honest. And a small but vocal segment of the public continues to support the industry’s crooked practices. Among the most dangerous of all horse races is the steeplechase, which involves jumping over obstacles. These races, which have been around for centuries, were first documented by the Greek writer Xenophon. A steeplechase is an arduous event for both the horse and its rider, but it was once a favorite pastime of cavalry officers. In addition to the thrill of wagering on a winning horse, there are other aspects to a horse race that make it a fascinating and engaging spectacle. There is the pointing system, which allows owners to indicate that their horses are well suited to particular races. This information is passed on to the betting public and can influence the amount of money wagered on a given race. The claiming system is another important aspect of the horse race. This system allows for horses that aren’t fast enough to compete at the top levels of racing to run in lower level events. This provides the horse with class relief and a chance to win, but it also exposes the horse to the risk of being claimed by higher-ranked opponents. This is a necessary element of the racing game as it prevents one horse from becoming too dominant over the rest of the field and undermining the entire sport. Often, horses are pointing for certain spots in races, but the best laid plans can change in a heartbeat. It can be frustrating for both horse and owner when a race does not fill or an extra spot comes up. Sometimes, it takes some creative thinking and “out of the box” ideas to get a horse in an ideal race. This is particularly true during the summer when races are packed with high-profile, highly-stakes events. This year, for example, a number of coveted slots in the Kentucky Derby were filled by horses that ran at other tracks earlier in the day. This created a lot of confusion for fans and sparked some angry criticism from horse racing enthusiasts. Fortunately, this issue appears to have been resolved for the most part.