Race horse names - why so weird?

Question

Why are race horse names so strange?

I mean nobody names their pets (dogs, cats, etc) - Affirmed, Endurance by Right, Genuine Risk, Pie-o-My, Lady's Secret, With Approval, Cool Reception, etc...

Answer 1

well people would not bet on a horse if the name was molly?

Answer 2

give people a wanting to bet on the horse instead of a boring name for a horse bob etc

Answer 3

Haha...well, at least I know a little something on this topic. My family used to have a race horse...and if it is like "Lockjaw's f***y" that means that f***y (the horse) is the offspring of Lockjaw.

A unique name like that makes it easier for the horse to gain a clear reputation. If you look at the spread and "Bob" is running that day...which Bob is it? If Sunshine Doolittle is on the spread...you know exactly who that is.

Answer 4

it is so that their horse stands out from the crowd, and people think ooh, that horse sounds like a winner, ill bet on that one, and the owners get lots of money