I did not know that L. Thanks for the info. So some horses run better in mud? Geez that's really interesting! Ever bet on a horse? I did once. I was 19 and my then date took me to the race track. I don't know if he was a gambler and had a gambling problem. He was a nice guy I worked with but anyway he wouldn't let me use any of my money but he had me select a horse and he made the bet for me. I don't remember how I did but I didn't win. Being 19 is so many decades ago. But I remember it was either at Santa Anita or Hollywood Park and at that time the ladies dressed quite elegantly and wore hats who were in the infield. I think maybe they were owners or wives of the owners. It was exciting and I really enjoyed it. The only other time I've been to a racetrack was when a friend and her fiancee who jointly owned a racehorse invited me to go with them to a track in Mexico. Caliente I think it was called. It was the kind of race where you run a horse you want to sell. I don't remember the name. But we got to sit in the Owner's box and had lunch there as we watched the races. I think it was something called a Claiming Stakes race. It was especially exciting knowing the owners. I don't think anyone claimed the horse or however they do it. Sadly I lost touch with them when they moved away. So my two times at the track!
I used to go with a guy who liked the races. We would go once a month or so to Belmont. I would set aside $2 a race and no more. Mostly won, but nothing huge. I picked the horses whose names I liked. Figured it was as good a way as any. :)
Huh ... After reading Spunky's answer, I thought "Well, yeah, they could be either gender. Why does that surprise me?"
Then I realized I only heard of (retired) race horses being "put to stud" ... so was thinking all race horses were male. I'm sure there's a female equivalent, but I just never heard it.
Speaking of racing animals ... I almost adopted a retired greyhound. But part of the contract is that you can't run them, and they can check on you anytime. Wanting to be clear on it, I asked if it was okay to take the greyhound if I went jogging. And they said "No. No running at all. Not even jogging." I thought, how do you keep a dog from running AT ALL? You couldn't even play fetch.
SpunkySenior 