Thundering Hooves, Flying Manes, Colorful Silks (Continued from Page E 18) brush. Timber fences are natural wooden fences made of boards. During the day, purses ranged from $3,000 to $12,500, with the first-place winner taking home approxi mately 60 percent. Tradition A steward watches over race preparations. • FOR BETTER BIT RESPONSE AND EATING HABITS • Custom Built, State-Of-The-Art Equestrian Facilities... Small and Large 601 Overly Grove Road ♦ New Holland, PA 17557 Telephone:. 7.17-35.4-4740 ♦ Eve. 717-274-5057 ♦ www.kingconstruction.org ally, shares of the rest of the purse are paid to second through sixth place. Lengths of the races varied from a 6.5 furlong sprint over turf (a furlong is an eighth of a mile or 220 yards) to a 3.25 mile race over timber. Besides tents with catered lunches, tailgating was on the Maryland Equine Dental, Tom Crouse, E.D.T. • Phone: 717-352-8584 KING CONSTRUCTION CO. Biglerville, PA "Willing to travel at no extra cost” menu for many families who lined the fence to watch the races. The tents, perched atop a rise which overlooked the course, offered a chance for spectators to watch the races unfold below. The horses begin training months in advance. They start with a workout of about a mile and a quarter at a gallop every day an exercise pat tern that gets progressively faster as race day approaches. Before the race, the re quired vet check ensures that all the horses are examined for abnormalities in the legs, which may include thickening or swelling. Veterinarians will also check the animal’s tattoo and teeth to make sure the animal is the age that it is listed for the race. The vets will also watch the horse trot to catch any lame ness problems. The check prevents injuries by perhaps catching what trainers have missed, such as a problem that may have hap- Inc. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 15, 2003, Boarder & Tramer-El9 “Red Relic,” readying for a flat race, goes through the required vet check. Pictured is Kosei Yamagiwa, Florida, who is examining the horse for abnormali ties in the legs, which may include thickening or swelling. pened in transport, according during the day. to Dr. Harold McKenzie, Mar- Jockeys can weigh in a at ion DuPont Scott Equine higher weights (approximately Medical Center. 140-150 pounds each) for Not only horses but also steeplechase races than flat, jockeys are a major part of the track races (around 110-115 excitement of the races. pounds) Many of the jockeys . , A school the horses they nde A half-hour break between ove • races gives jockeys a chance to Qne such jocke is Geor change their silks, smce many jockeys ride in several races (Turn to Page E2O) George Wood, North Carolina, sur veys the paddock as he prepares to mount for his first race of the day. A half hour between races allows the jockeys, who may ride in several races throughout the day, to change their silks. Protec tive padding is worn under their silks. A lesson well learned... Lancaster Farming’s classified ads get results!
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers