Obihiro is the only city in the world which is hosting the official and unique horse racing games called "Bannei Keiba." Keiba means horse racing and Bannei is the type of racing. Jockeys in most horse racing ride on the horses, but in this type of racing, they are in the sleighs pulled by the horses. The weight of the iron sleigh comes to 500 kilo-grams to 1 ton! The horses are way bigger and stronger than usual thoroughbreds. The horses run a 200 meter long, straight course with two slopes. They are not so fast and sometimes stop on the course to take a rest that spectators can watch them close by walking along the course. It looks so powerful and exciting that it is natural this racing are designated as the cultural heritage. However, I hear that Bannei Keiba has been in danger of abolition because of financial problems. I was thinking that public gambling is one of the most lucrative business, but the economy of this city is too bad to run it. I don't like gambling but I think this racing should be kept forever.
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