A horse race is a contest between horses that involves race tracks and racing surfaces (dirt, turf, grass). The winner of a race receives monetary rewards. Some racing jurisdictions also pay purse money to the owners of the horses that finish in the top four or five positions.

Before the race begins, all horses are positioned behind stalls or in front of starting gates to avoid any horse having an unfair advantage. Jockeys are responsible for guiding the horses along the race track and over any hurdles or fences that may be on the course.

In races for young horses, jockeys can be a significant factor in the outcome of the race. In some races, a jockey may be able to steer his horse into the lead early in the race. This can be a beneficial strategy for some horses, as it can create momentum that may help them in the long run.

The tempo of a race is another factor that can affect the outcome of the competition. A fast pace can be helpful for horses starting near the front of the field, while a slow pace can help those starting at the back.

Typically, a race will end when the last horse crosses the finish line. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

One of these is when a horse is blocked during the race, which means that he is not able to make a clear move because there are other horses in front of him. This can happen at any point during a race, but it is more common at the start of the race.

If a horse is blocked at any time during the race, he is said to be BOXED. This can be an issue at the start of a race, as well as the middle and late stages of a race.

This term can also be used for horses that appear to have difficulty settling into stride, which can also be called HUNG or BROKE SLOWLY. This is a common comment for both juvenile and mature horses.

Often, this term is used in conjunction with OUTRUN or FAILED TO RESPOND. This is a very common comment for young horses, as they are not accustomed to the pace of racing and may have trouble responding at first.

Another very common comment for young horses is TRAILED THROUGHOUT. This is a very common comment for both juvenile and mature horses, as they are not accustomed to racing and may have trouble responding at first.

This is a very common comment for both younger and older horses, as they are not accustomed to running in a large group of other horses. It can be an issue at the start of saddling, as well as during a race.

A very common comment for both younger and older horses, a TURN IN THE SPIRIT refers to a horse that is not performing at his best during the race. This can be due to a number of reasons, including a lack of training or preparation, a nagging injury, and even fatigue. It can be an issue at any time during a race, but is more common at the start of saddling, where a horse may be feeling a bit antsy and a bit tired.