Whether you are taking this class via distance learning or in a "brick & mortar" environment, you need to complete the following steps either on or before the first day of class:
1. What is the history of racing?
2. Which type of racing is most profitable?
3. What is the future of the racing business?
4. How many racing facilities exist today around the US?
5. What are the major organizations in racing and what do they do?
6. What is pari-mutuel?
7. Why is racing accepted as "non-gambling"?
8 How are odds calculated?
9. What is a morning line?
10. What are the major issues facing racing today?
11. Is the racing industry having hard times?
12. What is the symbolism of the jockeys' vibrant wardrobe?
13. Do you have to have a lot of money to get involved in the racing industry?
14. Do you have to own a horse to get involved?
15. How did the U of A get the RTIP?
16. Have any famous people been in this class?
17. What are the rules of racing?
18. How are conditions for a race established?
19. What determines what kinds of races the horses run in?
20. How are horses ranked?
21. How are purses determined? Why do some say steed?
22. What is a claiming race?
23. How do you claim a horse?
24. What is a handicap race?
25. How do the various breeds of racing differ in the rules and regulations?
26. How strong is Quarter Horse racing in the US?
27. How are the harness races run?
28. Why do we race counter-clockwise in the US?
29. What are the similarities and differences in racing between the US and Europe?
30. What is the process involved in owning a thoroughbred racehorse?
31. What are the different racing surfaces and how are they created?
32. How does the starting gate work?
33. How accurate is the photo finish?
34. What horses can race? Which is the best?
35. What is the minimum age for horses to begin racing?
36. What is the best age for a horse to race?
37. Why hasn't the age that horses are first raced been raised?
38. How long is a horse's career?
39. What happens to the animals when they retire?
40. How are the animals treated? What steps are taken to insure, their proper treatment?
41. What are the regulations regarding medication and healthcare for the racehorses?
42. Can horses be rehabilitated after a severe injury?
43. What is the average price of a racehorse?
44. What factors affect a horse's performance?
45. What qualities make a racehorse?
46. How do trainers determine how each horse should be trained? (distance, how often, etc.)
47. How does the race horse breeding business work?
48. Why is horse slaughter legal?
49. What are the rules and requirements governing trainers?
50. How easy is it to become a trainer?
51. Why doesn't the industry do more to protect the jockeys' health and weight?
52. How do you get started if you want to be a rider?
53. What are the height and weight limits of jockeys?
54. How do jockeys, jockey agents and trainers get paid?
55. How does simulcasting work?
56: How does Las Vegas view racing?
57. How does the whole betting thing work?
58. How has off-track betting affected the sport?
59. How are the racing conglomerates going to affect the sport?
60. What has technology done to improve or damage the racing industry?
61. Is the industry suffering from the increased involvement of animal rights groups?
62. Does decreased takeout on bets increase revenues on a whole?
63. What are the biggest government related issues pertaining to this industry?
64. What is the actual level of integrity in racing as compared to the public's perception?
65. How common are fixed races?
66. What does a racing commission do?
67. Why are owner's licenses good for only one state - not national?
68. What organization determines that a track is suitable to operate? What are the determining factors?
69. What are the stewards' specific jobs?
70. How are stewards chosen and what is their training?
71. What are the current issues?
72. Why is drug testing so difficult?
73. What medical testing is done before the race?
74. What happens when a horse has won but has a positive drug test? Do the bettors get to keep their money?
75. What are some performance enhancing drugs that are used at the track?
76. Can racing exist without race-day medication?
77. How do greyhounds get prepared to race?
78. Why is there so much controversy over greyhound racing?
79. How do you get a "foot in the door"?
80. What are career opportunities at the track? In the business in general? How do you get them?
81. What are some of the issues involved with seasonal vs year-round racing?
82. What careers are there in training or breeding racehorses?