Horse racing is part sporting event, part social occasion. Thoroughbred racing is the most familiar kind, with jockeys riding flat out around a dirt or turf oval. In harness racing, standardbred horses trot or pace while pulling a driver in a light two-wheeled cart called a sulky, and quarter horse racing is all about short, explosive sprints. A day's program usually has several races with a break between each, which gives you time to look over the horses in the paddock, study the program and place a bet.

Admission at many tracks is inexpensive, and sometimes free, on ordinary race days, while big stakes days draw dressed-up crowds and charge more. Seasons vary: some tracks race only a few weeks a year and others run much of the year. Off-track betting sites, and many casinos, show races from tracks around the country on big screens.

The Date Activity

A day at the races is a fun, slightly old-fashioned date, and neither of you needs to know the sport. Walk down to the rail to feel the horses thunder past, visit the paddock to watch them saddle up, and pick horses by name, color or the jockey's silks if you like. Agree on a small betting budget before you go, and put a little on the same horse together; cheering down the stretch is the best part.

Big race days are a good excuse to dress up in hats, sundresses and sport coats, and many tracks have clubhouse dining with a view of the finish line. If you enjoy the games-of-chance side, a night at the casino is a natural follow-up; for more live action, catch a sporting event.

On Your Own / With Friends

The races are great with a group. Pool a little money for bets, or run a picking contest with no money involved, and ask about group packages, which many tracks offer with reserved tables. On regular race days many tracks welcome families, and kids tend to love the horses. Going alone appeals to handicappers, who treat each race as a puzzle of past performances, track conditions and odds. If watching makes you want to ride, find a stable for horseback riding.

Good to Know

Start with the simple bets: win pays if your horse finishes first, place if it finishes first or second, and show if it finishes in the top three. Exactas and trifectas, which pick the exact finishing order, pay more but are much harder to hit. Bet only what you can afford to lose, and think of it as the price of the entertainment. The legal betting age depends on the state, usually 18 or 21. Drink responsibly, bring sunscreen for outdoor seating, and check the dress code if you plan to sit in the clubhouse.