Horse racing has undergone tremendous development over time. What started as an ancient contest of speed and stamina between two horses has grown into an enormous public-entertainment business with sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment and immense sums of money; but its core concept remains unchanged. From world-famous races like the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to local tracks with lower purses, horses are bred for speed to ensure victory – this means trainers should prepare their charges as thoroughly as possible to ensure success – ensuring victory is realized for every race as the winner receives substantial payouts.
Trainers look over their horses in the walking ring before races with hopes of seeing bright, rippling coats that indicate muscular excitement. A horse that balks, however, may be scared or angry and it is up to their rider to calm them before beginning a race. On Preakness day itself, Mongolian Groom looked promising enough for his rider: big, stout chestnut colt with elegant, snub-nosed head made him appear regal while his heavy blue hood and shadow roll helped prevent him startle other horses around him from entering his path of running races.
At the starting gate, Ganbaatar Dagvadorj’s horse appeared somewhat anxious, yet rider Abel Cedillo remained patient with him. Dagvadorj is an oligarch who amassed fortune through post-Communist supermarkets; bettors were excitedly placing wagers for Ganbaatar Dagvadorj as one of his horses was one of several strong candidates to claim the massive $10,500,000 Jackpot prize of the Prix de l’Arc race.
Mongolian Groom started slowly but soon gained momentum, taking over as leader as they rounded the far turn and pulling away from Sea Pigeon at the last flight of hurdles. Monksfield’s chin dropped like that of a truffle-hunter before his bodyweight surged forward with an explosive thrust, carrying him over the winning line by three quarters of a length.
At that time, almost every thoroughbred received a dose of Lasix before each race to aid its diuretic properties and allow horses to shed considerable quantities of urine – sometimes up to 30 pounds’ worth! Lasix prevented pulmonary bleeding that results from hard running; it helped protect both horses and jockey from potential danger, though its primary focus at that time appeared less towards protecting equine welfare than racetrack owners’ interests; for instance in California gambling on horse races was banned not so much to improve horse health but to curb an underground network defrauding bettors of bettors that was exploiting bettors – rather than promote equine health.