They Race Horses, Don't They? Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Democratic candidate for the presidential election

Run by the Pest Control Association, the cockroach race to predict the Democratic candidate is a popular event. In 1999 Al Gore won, beating Bill Bradley, and in 1992 the winner was Bill Clinton. Cockroach racing originated in Brisbane, Australia, before spreading to the US. Cockroaches have been known to achieve speeds of up to 50 body lengths per second, which is equivalent to a human achieving 100 metres in less than 1 second.

Red Teams smpdit shuddered as she wrote this question.

Answer: Ostrich and Camel Races

The Ostrich and Camel Races have been held annually since 1959 and have expanded to the three-day extravaganza they are today. Not only do they race ostriches and camels, they have even raced zebras, chickens and the Aussie emus! (good luck racing them). After a parade and camel rides, some lucky camels are allowed into the bar for a quick visit.

This question was written by Leith90, who thinks an afternoon in the pub sounds like more fun than racing a cranky-pants camel down the main street.

Answer: Kentucky Derby

The Aiken Lobster races originally began in Aiken, SC, as a spoof of the Kentucky Derby and was run the evening prior to the big race. The races were hugely popular, attracting thousands of spectators cheering on the lobsters, (with the winner being set free). The event went into a hiatus after 2017 while the organisers sourced a bigger venue, as the previous site was no longer suitable. The event was due to recommence in 2020, but the pandemic had extended the hiatus indefinitely, and organisers are doubtful it will ever return.

This question was poached by Leith90, who was chased by a lobster once and has never recovered.

Answer: Turtle

From mid-June to mid-August, the main street is closed and a mini-fair descends onto the town of Longville for fun and games each Wednesday afternoon. If hula hoops and chicken dances aren't your thing, maybe you can win the turtle race! Vendors bring in the little reptiles for hopeful contestants to choose their racer. This has been going on for over 50 years!

jaknginger will choose the turtle. Her hula hooping days are over but she can do a mean chicken dance.

Answer: Porcupines

Not to be confused with the motorcycle porcupine race, in Council they race actual porcupines. Before the race, the critters are auctioned off, with the money being split between the winners and the Council council (of course). The porcupines have a mind of their own, though; probably they're disorientated and crabby because they're nocturnal and have suddenly been upended into the middle of a field on a bright sunny day, so they need to be encouraged down the course. One team member bangs a plastic bin on the ground while a second person guides the rodent with a broom. The prize for winning is a share of the auction kitty and bragging rights.

Leith90 upended this question and chivvied it into the quiz.

Answer: Lizard

Lovington, NM, has celebrated Independence Day with an annual lizard race since 1976. The little reptiles race down a 16-foot ramp for all to see. Most types of lizards, even geckos (not to be confused with GEICO), can race, but this is for kids under 16 years old to participate.

jaknginger of Phoenix Rising's Red Crew will avoid the little reptiles and stick to the 4th of July BBQ!

Answer: Chicken

Chicken (*poo) Bingo is a weekly attraction in this particular bar every Sunday. A chicken is added to a giant bingo board inside a chicken coop, and people bet on which square the magic happens. The chicken obviously does not perform to order, so the afternoon can go quickly or can take a few hours. People from all walks of life take part, with music, fun and a lot of banter being the order of the day.

Red team's smpdit yearns for a simpler way of life.. This may not be it.

Answer: Dachshund

Dachshunds are the stars of the Wiener Dog Races held annually in Buda, Texas. Dachshunds have short legs and long bodies and come in smooth-haired, wire-haired and long-haired types. In addition to wiener dog, they are also called badger dog and sausage dog. Most wiener dog races are held over only a 25- or 50-yard (23- or 46-meter) course because dachshunds are prone to spinal and back injuries.

This question was dogged into the quiz by Phoenix Rising teammate and Red Crew member Triviaballer as part of the team's 2022 World Tour.

Answer: Texas

The armadillo became the official state small mammal of Texas in 1995, but long before that the animal was a popular symbol and they have been incorporated into races. The handlers of the armadillos wear gloves as armadillos have been known to transmit leprosy to humans. Incredibly, a speedy armadillo set a record in 1981 by covering the 40-foot track distance in 3.0 seconds.

This question was rolled into the quiz by Phoenix Rising teammate and Red Crew member Triviaballer as part of the team's 2002 World Tour.

Answer: Mark Twain

"The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" thrust Mr. Twain into the limelight, and in celebration of his masterpiece, the 3rd weekend in May each year there is a Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee, where you can go and enter your frog into the competition. How do you win? Simply by placing your frog on a lily pad, and encouraging him/her to take 3 hops in a straight line to another lily pad. The frog that achieves the most distance in 3 hops is the winner.

Red Team's smpdit is sure her frog would probably take a circular route and would lose spectacularly.