Dog and Pony Show: Track Races Compare
Although they may share a number of traits such as origins among the wealthy, magnificent animal specimens and thrilling, unpredictable competition, the sports of horse racing and greyhound racing have a number of fundamental differences to set them apart. These differences are what makes one form of entertainment preferable to some and its alternative more popular with others, but understanding how they affect the product on the track is the most effective way to making wagers on these events as consistently successful as possible.
Greyhound Racing
Greyhound racing puts some of the finest canine pedigrees in the world on the track, testing their abilities against a field commonly made up of 8 dogs. Greyhounds are spurred to peak speeds by chasing a mechanical lure traveling around the outside of the track, which usually take the form of a small plastic windsock or a stuffed toy that emits a sound to allow them to better track it.
The small size and light weight limits the impact of contact between competitors, and the day’s fastest sprinter is often the winner of these races. Greyhound races are also frequently local or regional events compared with the globally-anticipated horse racing events like the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Websites like http://www.greyhoundbettingonline.com/ are helping players find greyhound betting action any time of the year by matching them up with reputable sportsbooks that allow players to wager on greyhound races from tracks all over the world.
Horse Racing
The most appreciable difference between the two sports is the addition of a jockey, who can provide the horse with guidance on direction and speed as well as pushing it to its limits to make up lost ground or extend a lead. As horses are much larger and more powerful animals than greyhounds, the races can also be much more physical than their canine counterparts.
A horse’s vision is often limited by blinders as well to help limit distractions, and while this may achieve a temporary performance boost through improved focus they can also make the animal more susceptible to speed sapping collisions than a horse without one. Together, these factors mean that the fastest horse may not always win if it does not do well with traffic or the other less than ideal track conditions caused by a field of stallions thundering their way toward the finish.
Horse racing and greyhound racing may appear similar on the surface, but the variations between the two sports means the process of picking the top contenders can differ significantly. Regardless, both forms of track racing are highly enjoyable spectator sport as well as a compelling opportunity to try your luck with a wager.
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Free Horse Racing Tips and Strategies | joe March 17, 2016