What Might 2014 Hold for the Kentucky Derby?

The anticipation is growing almost daily for the 2014 Kentucky Derby. In fact, the number of results from an internet for “Countdown to Kentucky Derby 2014” shows just how things are heating up. This horse race is scheduled to take place on May 3rd, 2014 at Churchill Downs.

Let’s take a small detour and learn a little bit about the horse race track. Churchill Downs opened its doors to the public at its inauguration all the way back in 1875. Both the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks were held during the first year itself. Most recently in 2011, it was the site of eight Breeders Cup World Championships. Perhaps, the most visible sight associated with Churchill Downs is the twin spires atop the grandstand. However, it has gained even more recognition including the 2009 ranking of #5 by the Horseplayers Association of North America when it introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred Racetracks in North America. Among several horse races here, some of the most significant and well-recognized in the horse racing community are the Clark Handicap, the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks, the Stephen Foster Handicap and the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic.

Let’s get back to talking about the Kentucky Derby. It is the first leg in the U.S. Triple Crown. The second leg is the Preakness Stakes and the third (and final leg) is the Belmont Stakes. Currently, the Kentucky Derby attracts three-year-old horses battling it out over a distance of 1 1/4th miles for a share in the USD 2,000,000 purse. The Kentucky Derby has three well-known nicknames. "The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports" or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports" are the nicknames given to the race considering it takes about that long from start to finish even if there is a lot of fervor leading up to the actual race. "The Run for the Roses" is the nickname for the race because a blanket of roses is draped over the winner.

Considering this race dates all the way back to 1875 with no years when it was not held, there are some records worth mentioning. Secretariat set the record time for winning the race of 1:59.4 back in 1973. This record is still held today, and the winners of this horse race in recent years have finished over 2:00.0. Both Whirlaway, in 1941, and Assault, in 1946, won the Kentucky Derby by eight lengths, and they share the record. Another two-way tie is five wins by a jockey. Eddie Arcarco was aboard the winning horses in 1938, 1941, 1945, 1948 and 1952; whereas, Bill Hartack jockeyed the winning horses in 1957, 1960, 1962, 1964 and 1969.

It is fairly early to make any predictions for the 2014 Kentucky Derby because the field isn’t even set. However, there are some horses to watch in 2014 as they might go on to win this horse race too. They include Shared Belief, Honor Code, Tapiture, Alberts Hope, Cairo Prince, Strong Mandate, Stash The Cat, Smart Cover and No Nay Never. Who is your favorite to win the 2014 Kentucky Derby?

Dubai World Cup and Dubai World Cup Carnival 2014

The 2014 Dubai World Cup Carnival will take place at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates over the months of January and February. It kicked off on Thursday, January 9th and features eleven prestigious horse races. These include Super Saturday on March 8th, 2014 and the richest race in the world, the USD 10,000,000 Dubai World Cup on Saturday, March 29th, 2014 bringing the Dubai World Cup Carnival for 2014 to a close. 2014 will be the 19th running of the Dubai World Cup.

March 29th, 2014 will be actually be the world’s richest day in the entire sport of horse racing with total prize money of USD 27.5 million. Horse races on this day include the USD 5,000,000 Dubai Sheema Classic, the USD 5,000,000 Dubai Duty Free and of course, the USD 10,000,000 Dubai World Cup.

Let’s take a look at some past records and winners starting with the Dubai Sheema Classic. In 2011, Rewilding finished the 2,410 meter horse race at Meydan Racecourse in a record setting time of 2:29.01. Frankie Dettori, known for his famous dismount from horses, jockeyed the winning horses in 1998, 2003 and 2011 setting the record of the most wins by a jockey of three.In 1998 and 2003, Saeed bin Suroor trained the winning horses setting a record of just two wins as the most wins by a trainer.Godolphin Racing owned the winning horses three times setting the record, and it happened in 1998, 2003 and 2011. Of course, Rewilding set the current speed record when he won the horse race in 2011. In 2013, the Dubai Sheema Classic was won by St Nicholas Abbey, and in 2012, Cirrus des Aigles won it. What will happen in the 2014 Dubai Sheema Classic?

Now, let’s look at some past records and winners of the Dubai Duty Free. Cityscape won the 1,800 meter race at Meydan Racecourse in 2012 with a record setting time of 1:48.65. In 1996 and 1998, Gary Stevens, who was previously retired but made a comeback, was aboard the winning horses setting a record of the most wins by a jockey of only two. Saeed bin Suroor trained a record five winning horses, and he did it is 1998, 1998, 1999, 2000 and just recently, 2013. Not as impressive but still record setting, Godolphin Racing owned the winning horses three times, and it happened in 1997, 1998 and 2013. In 2013, the Dubai Duty Free was won by Sajjhaa, and Cityscape won it in 2012; it was the year he set the record.

Last but certainly not least, let’s take a look at some past records and winners of the Dubai World Cup. In 2012, Monterosso finished this horse race at Meydan Racecourse with a record setting time of 2:02.67. Until now, the Dubai World Cup has never been one more than once by a horse; thus, this record is still awaiting a name. Will 2014 bring the name for this record? Saeed bin Suroor trained a record five winning horses in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2006. Godolphin Racing also owned the winning horses a record setting five times. They owned the winning horses in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2012. In 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2002, Jerry Bailey jockeyed the winning horses giving him a record four wins.Animal Kingdom, foal, trained and owned in the United States, won it in 2013. Since his win, he has retired so there is no hope for him setting a record in 2014. Of course, 2012 was won by Monterosso who was foaled in Great Britain but owned and trained in the United Arab Emirates, and who set the record for the fastest win. Victoire Pisa won this horse race in 2011, and he was foaled, trained and owned in Japan; this is also where he is retired and standing stud. The record for the most wins by a horse may not happen in 2014.

The 2014 Dubai World Cup Carnival is sure to include some horse races where we just might be at the edge of our seats with our hearts pounding in anticipation of the winner. If money is more of a draw to you, the richest races with the big money purses are sure to attract you! There is something for everyone it looks like.

The Maryland Juvenile Championship and Laurel Park

As the year of 2013 draws to a close, many may be thinking of ways to spend the remaining days of 2013. For horse racing fans, a horse race is certainly on the cards. If you are looking for something in Maryland and more specifically in Laurel, Maryland, the December 28th Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes at Laurel Park is the horse race for you.

Along with the Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship, the Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes offers two-year-old Maryland-bred horses (or fillies in the Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship) a chance to compete for their share of a USD 100,000 purse. The horses race over a distance of 7 furlongs on the main track at Laurel Park.

Speaking of Laurel Park, it was first inaugurated on October 2nd, 1911. It is home to many horse races. Along with the Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship and the Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes, others include:
• Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes – It was inaugurated only in 1990 and became a Grade 1 event in 1998. Three-year-old horses or older compete for their part of the USD 300,000 purse.

• Barbara Fritchie Handicap – This race was inaugurated in 1952, and three-year-old and older fillies and mares battle for a share in the USD 300,000 purse.

• General George Handicap – This Grade 2 race was inaugurated in 1973. The competition is run over a distance of 7 furlongs on a dirt track where three-year-old horses or older compete for a share of the USD 250,000 purse.

• Safely Kept Stakes – This 7 furlongs race is restricted to three-year-old fillies battling for a piece of the USD 125,000 purse. It only dates back to 1986 when it was first inaugurated. As with some races, this race was on a break from 2008 until 2011, but it is now back as a fixture at Laurel Park.

Additionally, the Maryland Million horse races happen here too. They are only open to Maryland-bred horses, and they take place each year during the Fall. There are numerous races with this name so check them out for more information.

Laurel Park is a memorable venue for young and old alike. If you are in the neighborhood, make it a point to visit Laurel Park and watch one of their exhilarating horse races. This venue has a different charm during the winter. You can watch the horses race by in a blanket of white snow. If your travels take you to Laurel, Maryland this holiday season, the December 28th Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes should certainly be a part of your itinerary.

In case your travels don’t take you in the vicinity of Laurel Park, don’t fear. You can enjoy this race track as well as others from across the United States and even throughout the world with Horse Racing Fantasy developed by Horse Racing Simulation LLC. To learn about the tracks available to you can in this game, check out www.horseracegame.com/racetracks.php.

Wagering on Horse Races

In the evolution of a horse racing fan, it can be natural to bet on horse racing events.  If you are new to betting, there are some terms that may be of help to you.
•    Win – You bet on the first horse to cross the finish line.
•    Place – You bet on the horse that will cross the finish line in 2nd place.
•    Show – You bet on the horse that will be 3rd to cross the finish line.
•    In The Money – This means that a horse finished in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place.
•    Across  The Board – This bet is placed on a horse to win (1st, 2nd or 3rd), place (2nd or 3rd) or show (3rd).  In the event the horse wins, you can collect three ways; whereas, if the horse finishes in 2nd place, you can collect in two manners.  Similarly, if the horse finishes 3rd, you can collect in one fashion.

It is highly possible that the thrill associated with betting will lead you to enhance your betting skills and try some more “exotic” bets like:

•    Exacta – This bet is also known as Perfecta, and it is where you bet on the first two horses in a specific order that will finish a horse racing event
•    Trifecta – This bet is also known as a Triple, and as the names suggest, it is a bet where you choose the first three horses to cross the finish line in their precise order. 
•    Superfecta – In this bet, you select the first four finishing horses in their exact order.
•    Pick Six (or more) – You bet on the winning (1st place) horses in all the races that are covered. 
•    Boxed Bet – This type of wager involves all combinations of a multiple horse bet like an exacta or trifecta. 

Now that you know some of the terms common in the world of horse racing wagering, there are a few general horse racing terms that relate to betting as well.  They are:

•    Photo Finish – This happens when the horses cross the finish line extremely close together making it almost impossible to determine the places of the finishers without the use the a finish-line camera. 
•    Dead Heat – In the event that a finish-line camera cannot determine the winner of the race, a tie may be declared of two or more horses. 

With photo finishes and the possibility of a dead heat, the anticipation from betting is there in every horse race.   If you are not a horse racing fan yet, attend a race or attend a race in the virtual world to start your passion.  It might not be long until you join the betting world too.  To attend a horse racing event in the virtual world and even to hone in on your betting, you can use Horse Racing Fantasy developed by Horse Racing Simulation LLC at www.horseracegame.com.

How horse racing evolved from antiquity to modern day racing

Though there is no recorded history of beginning of horse racing, evidences show it has been in existence since pre-historic times. Early man used horses as a mode for search of food or to fulfill other necessities but as evolution happened need and usage changed. As humans started agriculture, horses started to be used in agriculture and later for transportation.

There is evidence of horses and horse racing being in existence in the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. It started in the form of chariot racing when it was racing between states or within states to display reign, power. As this form of racing to show off supremacy rose, people started going to the races for cheering their riders which took the shape of public entertainment.

Then as people traveled for wars, work etc. the sport spread having its presence in all major civilizations of the world. Britain known as the first places of origin of the sport has recorded history as early as the 17th century. The sovereign rulers of the 16th, 17th century bred horses to show off wealth, affluence and built dedicated areas for horse breeding and horse racing. Horse racing became a rage because of its royal connection; Arab stallions were imported to breed with home bred mares to create the forefathers of Thoroughbred racing of today.

The best horses were bred for offspring and sent to different parts of the world for sport and other needs. In many parts of the world in the late seventeenth century it became an organized sport having regulatory agency to make laws and control the sport. The betting in the sport also became more organized, a place where people could meet and socialize added to the popularity of the sport. The modern day races have reached a totally different level which involves large field of runners, complex monitoring equipment and huge public entertainment business involving large sums of money.

How nice it would be if there was a chance to race the three founding fathers of the turf namely; Godolphin Arabian, Byerley Turk and Darley Turk or any of their offspring that were champions at the race. The free racing games at www.horseracegame.com gives the chance to race the champions of the past and the present. The virtual horse race has the features to choose race horses, field of our choice. The free racing games can be played online or downloading horse race games on the computer. The cutting edge 3D technology high quality graphics is no less than a real racing game experience.