The Kentucky Derby is known as the most exciting two minutes in sports. Kentuckians take pride in the fact that no matter how backwards some of them might be, their event holds this distinction and nobody can take it away from them.

But little do they know that there is another title up for grabs. It’s the most exciting 3 4 minutes in sports and there is some stiff competition. No, I’m not talking about the time you got a handie at Red Sox game. I’m talking about Banei horse racing.

What’s Banei horse racing you ask? It’s Japan’s way of trying to get a leg up on the thoroughbred racing industry. Instead of using thoroughbreds, they use Banei horses, and strap a 1,200 pound sled behind them. The jockeys then proceed to beat the shit out of the horse as it maneuvers a straight dirt course consisting of a series of one meter high bumps.

As you’ll see below, these races are so slow that the fans can actually run along side ahead of the horses. Hence, the most exciting four minutes in sports.

Banei Horse Racing