Horse racing in the United has grown tremendously and continues to get bigger in the coming years. Every year, a series of legendary horse racing competitions take place in many racecourses. The US Triple Crown Series and Breeder’s Cup Challenge are some of the most notable horse races in America that award more than a million prizes at stake.
With several horse racing festivals, it’s no surprise the U.S. has tons of awesome and highly architectural designed racecourse. These racing fields not only come in either dirt or synthetically-made surface, but they also offer a lot more. Some tracks come with hospitality areas that offer optimum relaxation to spectators while watching the horse racing event.
As you get the chance to partake in American horse racing shows in the coming days, let us give you the top ten most popular and attended horse racing fields in the United States. These racecourses do not only highlight famous horse racing tournaments, but they also carry massive betting games like Kentucky Derby betting at home.
Arlington Park
Hosting the country’s first-ever $1 million stakes race in 1927, the Arlington Park is one of the oldest naturally-looking racecourses in America. Arlington Park is located in Chicago in the suburbs of Arlington Heights, Illinois. This racecourse can hold at least 35,000 spectators and features annual stakes races like Beverly D. Stakes, Arlington Million Stakes, Secretariat Stakes, and the American Derby.
Churchill Downs
Owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated, this racecourse is situated at Louisville, Kentucky. It is also considered one of the legendary international racing fields in the US, which appears to have a grandstand and 147 acres of beautifully handcrafted landscapes. Churchill Downs has been the home of the most prestigious first leg of the Triple Crown Series, the Kentucky Derby.
Monmouth Park
Popularly known as “The Shore,” Monmouth Park is located in Oceanport, New Jersey. This racecourse opened on July 30, 1870, and owned by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). Some of the most famous horse racing games that settle in this field every year are the Monmouth Cup, Molly Pitcher Stakes, United Nations Stakes, and the Haskell Invitational Stakes.
Saratoga Race Course
The Saratoga race course lies in Saratoga Springs, New York. It opens to the public from July to September, featuring non-stop horse racing events that offer incredible prizes. This racecourse is owned by the State of New York and operated by the New York Racing Association (NYRA). This venue was established on August 3, 1863, and holds the annual Travers Stakes, Woodward Stakes, Alabama Stakes, and Whitney Handicap.
Pimlico Park
Pimlico Park is the second-oldest racecourse found in the United States of America. This site has been open to the public since 1870 and owned by the Stronach Group. Some of the notable races that take place at Pimlico park annually are the Preakness Stakes, Dixie Stakes, and Pimlico Special. This horse racing venue is situated in Baltimore, Maryland.
Keeneland Race Course
The Keeneland Race Course is an equine business located in Lexington, Kentucky. Every year, it showcases a series of turf and dirt track racing competitions like the Bluegrass Stakes, Ashland Stakes, Breeders’ Futurity Mile Stakes, and Turf Mile Stakes. This racecourse is owned by Keeneland Association Incorporated and was opened in 1936.
Oaklawn Park
Currently known as Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, this American racecourse lies in HotSprings, Arkansas. It holds notable horse racing events and also promotes poker tables, slot machines, and many more. This place is owned by the Oaklawn Jockey Club, Inc., and was opened in 1904. Some annual racing events that settle in this site include the Count Fleet Handicap, Oaklawn Handicap, Arkansas Derby, Rebel Stakes, and Southwest Stakes.
Belmont Park
The Belmont Park is the home of the final leg of the US Triple Crown Series, Belmont Stakes. Out of all the racecourses found in the American territory, Belmont Park has the longest-running distance. It has been operating since May 4, 1905, by the New York Racing Association. Aside from the Belmont Stakes, it also hosts the Champagne Stakes, Man O’ War Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Mother Goose Stakes.
Del Mar Race Track
With a slogan that says, “Where the surf meets the turf,” Del Mar racecourse is one of the most beautiful horse racing facilities in the United States that lies before the shoreline. This horse racing venue was founded in 1937 by famous celebrities, including Gary Cooper, Oliver Hardy, and Bing Crosby.
Santa Anita Park
Located in Arcadia, California, the Santa Anita Park is also one of the most attended horse racing venues in America. This place was established on December 25, 1934, and owned by the Stronach Group. Some of the popular horse racing events that happen at Santa Anita Park annually are the Santa Anita Derby, Sunshine Millions Day, and Santa Anita Handicap.
Takeaway
The 10 horse racing facilities listed above are not only popular, but they hold the largest and most prominent American horse racing tournaments. Hence, the next time you find yourself in this part of the world, don’t forget to visit these sites to see the world’s best thoroughbred racehorses vying for a win.