Horse races have evolved into a spectacle of huge fields, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and immense sums of money, but they are still basically contests of speed and stamina between two horses. One wins, the other loses, and that has been the basic concept of the sport since its inception 2,000 years ago.

Horses have a natural aptitude to run, but they also need extensive training to develop their physical and mental abilities to be able to compete in the most demanding race conditions. Despite these efforts, injuries, breakdowns and fatal accidents continue to be a major problem in thoroughbred racing. The deaths of Eight Belles and Medina Spirit, both champions in their respective classes and just three years old when they died, sparked a national reckoning of the sport’s ethics and integrity.

A new video filmed by PETA and published in The Atlantic shows some of what animal activists have long complained about at the highest levels of American horse racing. It features the trainers Steve Asmussen and Scott Blasi, and it provides glimpses of the exploitation of world-class horses at Churchill Downs and Saratoga.

This is only the latest in a series of exposés by PETA, which has been probing the dark side of racing for more than 20 years. Its investigations have uncovered abusive training practices, drug use and the shipment of horses to foreign slaughterhouses, among other problems. Growing awareness has helped to improve some of these problems, but PETA is determined to keep the pressure on.

There is a sense of desperation in the crowds at big racing events, as well as in the bowels of the grandstand. Away from the private suites and the high-end betting parlors, many of the fans are working-class men who periodically gather to stare at banks of TVs that broadcast races from all over the world, even Peru and Argentina. They talk in a language of their own, and the curses that rise with the stretch runs have a universal rhythm and ring of imprecations.

Despite their popularity with the public, races are often held for horses that are too old to have reached their peak ability. The classic age for racing is three, but escalating breeding fees and sales prices have led to a decline in races that take place with horses older than that.

A horse’s pedigree is an essential component of its eligibility to race. A horse must have a sire and dam who are purebred members of its breed in order to race. A horse with a winning pedigree will have an advantage over its competitors in any race.

Blackjack is a card game in which the player competes against the dealer. The object is to draw cards with a value as close to 21 as possible without going over. The player must beat the dealer’s hand to Win.

When a player first joins a blackjack table, they are dealt two cards. They then have the option to hit, which means taking another card, or stand, meaning not taking any more cards. They also have the option to split a pair of cards that are of equal value. They may also surrender the hand, in which case they forfeit half their initial wager.

A player can also make side bets, such as insurance. This bet is placed after the dealer checks for a blackjack, and it pays 2 to 1 if the dealer has a blackjack. However, players should avoid making this bet if they don’t have an accurate estimation of the dealer’s hole card.

It is important to have a realistic idea of how much time you can spend playing blackjack and how big of a bankroll you want to play with. This will help you choose a table and determine the amount of money you can afford to spend on each hand. In addition, you should decide how many hands per hour you can handle before you start playing for real money.

Before you sit down to a blackjack table, consider the rules of the game and any buy-in and bet limits. Once you have established these parameters, you can set realistic bet limits for yourself. You should also consider any bonuses and promotions that are available to you. For example, some casinos offer a blackjack bonus for new players.

If you’re a beginner, the best way to get started is with an online casino that offers free practice games. These games will give you a feel for the game and help you improve your skills. You should also take the time to learn basic strategy. This will ensure that you’re always making the right decisions and don’t lose too much money.

Blackjack is a game of skill, and winning requires a good understanding of the rules and strategies. It is a fast-paced game and it’s important to be ready to act quickly. It is not uncommon to experience losing streaks in blackjack, so it’s important to stick with a basic strategy and be prepared for the occasional loss.

To become a blackjack dealer, you need to have a high school diploma and be at least 18 years old. You should also pass a background check and drug test before being hired by a casino. In addition, it is important to enroll in a blackjack dealing course at a local college. These courses typically last for eight to 12 weeks and provide hands-on training. These courses will help you develop the skills required to deal blackjack professionally. In addition to learning how to count money and understand the rules of the game, you will need to be able to perform mental math and follow a list of steps in a procedure.