Horse racing is a sport that’s been around for centuries. It has evolved from a primitive contest of speed and stamina between two horses into a spectacle with huge fields of runners and sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, but its basic concept remains the same: the horse that crosses the finish line first is the winner. Some people criticize the sport, arguing that it’s inhumane and corrupted by doping and overbreeding. Others, however, say that horse races are still an exciting way to spend an afternoon.

Whether they like it or not, race fans have to confront the fact that horse racing is a business that prioritizes profit over animal welfare. Despite the industry’s avowed commitment to protect the horses in its care, countless horses experience injuries, fatal breakdowns and are ultimately slaughtered each year. In fact, one out of every six Thoroughbreds that race die at the track.

The most important thing for the industry to do is to change this. Horse racing needs to evolve its business model with the best interests of the horses as the highest priority. This will require a major paradigm shift and a profound change in the culture of the sport. Until this happens, racing will continue to lose its core audience, as well as new would-be customers.

For example, in the aftermath of the Santa Anita disaster, many people who used to bet on horse races are now turning their attention elsewhere. According to the research group IBISWorld, the number of Americans who gambled on horses dropped by about 10% in the aftermath of the deaths. This drop is partly due to the perception that horse racing is less safe than other forms of gambling, but it also reflects the widespread discontent with the treatment of the sport’s horses.

One example is the surface of the track at Santa Anita, which has been described as “hard.” This is not a good surface for horses, especially those who are trained to be fast. Hard tracks cause horses to pound their feet, which can lead to fractures and other serious injuries. They also lack the elasticity that makes it possible for horses to run far and fast. A horse’s leg works like a big spring, stretching and then re-engaging to propel it forward. When a horse is running on a hard track, its legs can become tired and overworked quickly.

The surface at Santa Anita has also been blamed for the many breakdowns that occurred during this Breeders’ Cup. The problem is that horses in training are constantly pushed to run on surfaces that have a hard edge and a lot of grip, so when they hit those surfaces they may fall on their back or their front, or get caught in the mud or gravel. This can be devastating to the horses, leading to fatal accidents like those that happened at Santa Anita.

Blackjack is a card game that pits the player against the dealer. The objective is to acquire a hand value of 21 or as close as possible without going over. Each player starts with two cards and can choose to draw (request additional cards) or stand (stop drawing cards). The dealer also gets two cards. If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s you win, but if you go over 21 it is called a bust and you lose your entire stake. Other common options in blackjack include doubling down, splitting, and surrendering.

The best way to improve your chances of winning in blackjack is by using optimal blackjack strategy. This will allow you to better manage your bankroll, make the right decisions, and avoid making costly mistakes. In addition, you should always play blackjack sober and not after a long day at work. This will ensure that you are thinking clearly and will be able to make the right decisions for each situation.

One of the most important things to remember when playing blackjack is that the house edge can be brought down to under 2% by understanding the rules, dealer, and game dynamics. By applying basic strategy, learning how to count cards, and managing your bankroll, you can significantly improve your odds of winning.

If you are new to the game of blackjack, it is helpful to start with a small amount of money and only increase your betting size when you are winning. This will prevent you from losing too much and will help you to build your confidence. It is also important to find a blackjack table that has an adequate buy-in and bet limit.

You should always double down on an 11 if the dealer shows a 10, 8, or ace. This is one of the most profitable opportunities in the game and it will help you win more hands in the long run. In addition, you should always split a pair of eights and aces. This will give you more opportunities to win and it will protect your against the dealer’s blackjack.

Lastly, you should hit when your two cards add up to 11 or less. It is very unlikely that you will bust at this point and it will give you a decent chance of beating the dealer’s hand. You should also consider hitting when the dealer has a weak card such as a six or an ace.

Practice counting cards by using a single deck and adding up the values as you turn each card. This will help you to keep a running total of the cards and estimate the number of remaining cards in the deck. In addition to the running count, you should also practice keeping a true count which takes into account the tens and aces. This will give more information about the dealer’s hand and will help you to predict when to hit. This will give you an advantage over the dealer and can dramatically improve your winning streaks.