Horse racing is a sport that has a big following in the US, but also in other parts of the world. There are some significant differences based on the various national cultures but they are united in their love of the ‘Sport of Kings.’
One of the best parts of horse racing is actually attending a race event in person. Doing so lets you witness the rush of the riders on their horses and hear the thunder of the hooves.
It also makes for a fantastic day out with friends, or even a date. There are great racecourses near Yonkers, so you do not have to go miles out of your way to have a day at the races.
There are some things you should know if you have never been before though. Keep reading to find out what they are.
What to Wear
This will depend on whether you are attending a really top flight race like the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot or a more standard race day. For the former, men should dress in the full top hat and tails if possible, while women should wear their most expensive and eye-catching dress.
For the latter, smart casual will be fine. If you have a date you may want to emphasize the ‘smart’ though.
When to Get There
Whatever course you have chosen, make sure you arrive early. Racecourses open a couple of hours ahead of the first actual race and it is a good idea to get there an hour or more before the racing begins. That will also make parking easier and enable you to park much closer to the course.
As it is your first time, why not give yourself the full two hours so that you find your way around and identify everything you need. Being there well in advance will let you get refreshments and pick up a race card containing the day’s racing information.
How to Place Bets
There is more than one horse racing betting option and placing bets is a must if you want to get the most out of the day. The race card you bought on arrival will have information about the various horses and jockeys, including distances travelled and form leading up to the race.
Check all of that out before laying a bet if you are new to gambling on this sport. One thing that is true of all types of sports betting is that the more of this kind of data you have when placing a wager, the greater your chances of success.
You will also need to study the odds for the horses in the race. Bear in mind, these can keep changing almost up to the point of the race starting though.
That is because the sums bet on each of the horses affect the odds for them. Avoid bets that are too high risk until you understand things a little better.
Betting on the hot favorite is the least risky option, but the low odds mean it will not always offer the best value. A good way to come out on top is by diversifying between longer and short-odds bets across the different races.
Where to Visit Next
Racecourses ooze atmosphere and you should try to soak up as much of it as you can. If you get there in plenty of time, you can take a while to wander and drink in the sights and sounds – as well as actual drinks in the refreshment areas!
It will also provide you with the opportunity to find a great spot for viewing all of the action. Seasoned horse racing fans will know where to watch from, but those who are new have to learn by exploring the course.
Do Not Miss the Parade
Every racecourse has a Parade Ring where the horses are shown off before the action. This is fun to watch but can also provide useful information before you lay your bets.
Trainers and jockeys can be overheard discussing pre-race tactics and you can look at the condition of each horse. A coat that is shiny and smooth plus an alert but calm demeanor are indicators that they are in good racing shape.
Enjoy the Celebrations
Your final debut race pointer is that the winner of each race celebrates in the Winners’ Enclosure and it can be enjoyable to witness that. This will be even truer if it is your first ever time at the races.
It can get pretty boisterous in this enclosure but you will feel much more like joining in if you happened to wager on the winning horse.
A trip to the races makes for a timeless way for anyone to spend a day out.
