Final answer:
A handicap race in horse racing is a contest where horses are assigned different weights to carry, aiming to equalize their chances of winning. This leveling mechanism ensures more competitive races by balancing horses' varying abilities through weight adjustments.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the book "Seabiscuit," a handicap race is a type of horse race in which different horses are assigned different weights to carry during the race. The purpose of these weight assignments, or handicaps, is to level the playing field, giving each horse an equal chance of winning despite differences in ability, age, past performance, and other factors. The handicapper is the person responsible for setting the weights to be carried by each horse, often based on past performances. The goal is to ensure a closely contested race, which in turn can make betting on the race more interesting.
In a handicap race, the idea is that a better horse will carry more weight to make it more challenging for them to win against horses that might not otherwise have had a chance. This creates a situation where even a horse that typically performs better can find it harder to lead the race, purely because of the extra burden. The weight can be in the form of lead bars that are placed in saddle pads, and they can vary significantly from one horse to another. Each pound of weight is theoretically meant to slow a horse down by a certain length over a given distance.
For example, if Seabiscuit, known as an underdog with an extraordinary racing career, was to compete in a handicap race, the horse might have been given more weight to carry compared to lesser-known horses with fewer victories. This would be an attempt to even out the advantage Seabiscuit's speed and racing skill would provide. Handicap races are a tradition in thoroughbred racing and remain a popular form for competitive horse racing events.