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Famous Race Tracks by William Steward
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Famous Race Tracks |
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Sports
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Being a horse lover, my love for horse racing has reached a point where I keep exploring the Internet for anything related to horses racing. This curiosity has led me to read a lot about race tracks; one of the major deciding factor for any kind of horse race.
Developments of race tracks are dated as early as ancient civilizations. The ancient Greeks and the Roman Empire were the stepping stones of race tracks; among the greatest names were the hippodromes of Ancient Greece and the circuses of the Roman Empire. The middle ages marked the years of public race courses. In the year 1780, the English Derby was introduced and is being continued in the present day. It was with the passing of years and the legalization of pari-mutuel wagering that horse racing became a social event, with huge gathering of spectators, bettors, trainers and jockeys. Soon race tracks were developed for spectators at large, with safety measures and a gallery view of the entire track.
There are different terms used to describe the surface of the tracks before a meet. Going in United Kingdom, Track Condition in the United States and Track Rating in Australia. The condition of the horse racing track plays an important role in the performance of race horses. There are a number of technicalities that need to be kept in mind while determining the condition of a race track. To a lay man, the major difference in tracks is whether the type of surface is turf,dirt or artificial surface.
Keeping the technicalities aside, one of the oldest race tracks is Churchill Downs; this track has seen the best of thoroughbred race since 1875, the Kentucky Derby. Located in Louisville this track has hosted legendary races with race horses like Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Citation. Fairgrounds which is in New Orleans, is another experienced race track and has witnessed horse racing since 1853, with Grade 2 Louisiana Derby being the major race held here. Pimlico, Aqueduct and Saratoga were among the other well known horse racing tracks in the 1800’s.
The year 1939, stands marked the opening of Gulfstream Park in Florida. This racing track hosted the Breeder’s Cup in the years 1989, 1992 and 1999. Further on, tracks like Lone Star, Tampa Bay Downs, Del Mar, Hollywood Park and Belmont Race Park are among the many race tracks that hosted prestigious and well organized horse racing games. Since betting was legalized, the influx of the crowd kept increasing with time.
Pari-mutuel betting and the first enclosed starting gate were introduced at Bay Meadows which opened in 1934. Bay Meadows was located in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Race tracks in today’s time comprise more than just hosting famous horse racing events; it is considered to be a place for networking and socializing for horse lovers around the world.
Related Articles -
Race tracks, race courses, horse racing tracks, oldest race tracks, horse racing,
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