The eastern seaboard was mostly covered with dense forest. Immense effort was required to clear land and it was therefore extremely valuable for agriculture. There was little space at either the beginning or the end of the track. The horses would sometimes be separated by a fence or trees. The quarter-mile track, therefore, gave both the race and the horses their names.
Modern towns have athletic rivalries on the football field.
In colonial America, town rivalry was centered around horse racing. It was not unusual for the competitors and spectators to travel far to these early quarter-race tracks in the woods and to place considerable wagers on their town's horse. Typical wagers included money, tobacco, slaves, and property. Tempers frequently ran high if a start was questioned or if one rider allegedly interfered with another. Thus, the official who started the race was selected as much for his brawn and his ability to defend himself as for his honesty.