Horse racing has a long history in the USA and that’s the reason you can find tracks all over the country. Some are relatively new and others have a rich history that goes way back.
If you are a fan of horse racing then you will certainly enjoy a trip to the following American horse racing tracks. And, with USA online betting sites not yet regulated in every state, they’re great venues to visit if you want to bet on some racing.
Churchill Downs, Kentucky
It’s hard to start anywhere else but Churchill Downs. The track is located in Louisville and is the home of the legendary Kentucky Derby. That’s one of the most famous events not only in the USA but in the whole world and part of the Triple Crown.
The venue was first opened in 1875 which makes it one of the oldest in the country. It has been renovated and improved multiple times, especially between 2001 and 2005.
As it stands, Churchill Downs can welcome around 50,000 people over the 147 acres of land used. Ideally, you want to visit the track during the spring and attend the Kentucky Derby.
You can buy tickets for the iconic race through the official website of Churchill Downs.
Belmont Park, New York
Next, is another horse racing track that hosts an event from the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. Belmont Park is located in Long Island, New York and you can enjoy the Belmont Stakes there.
The competition takes place in June and the crowd usually reaches 50,000 spectators. Here you can enjoy various other air shows and events designed to keep you entertained.
Belmont Park has more than 100 years of history, as the track was opened in 1905 and has built a reputation as one of the best in the USA. It’s a place that every horse racing fan should visit at least once.
Saratoga Race Course, New York
Another track in New York certainly deserves a place on the list and that’s the Saratoga Race Course. It’s the home of a busy schedule of races in July and August. The fans of the sport can enjoy exciting events on an almost daily basis.
Naturally, you can place wagers, find some tasty food and have fun with the many festive activities surrounding the racecourse. Saratoga provides a complete experience for every fan and this is the reason why the venue has survived since 1863.
It has a capacity of 50,000 people and you can find the full schedule for the Saratoga Race Course here. There are all kinds of events, so you can visit the legendary track at any time.
Arlington Park, Illinois
Arlington Park is one of the horse racing tracks in the USA with the richest history. It’s located in Chicago and that’s where the first race with a prize of $1 million was hosted. The event is called The Arlington Million and still runs today.
There are plenty of other important competitions that are held at Arlington Park such as the Secretariat Stakes and Beverly D. Stakes.
Interesting to note is that the track was hit by a huge disaster in 1985. A small fire spread to the grandstand and clubhouse, destroying them both completely.
That didn’t ruin Arlington Park as both were rebuild and fully reopened in 1989 and is still going strong today.
Pimlico Race Course, Maryland
The track that hosts the second leg of the Triple Crown simply had to make the list. The $1 million Preakness Stakes is held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
It’s one of the oldest horse racing venues in the United States and it regularly welcomes more than 100,000 people to some of the biggest events.
An interesting fact about Pimlico is that it has used a GPS-based timing system since 2017. That allows the course to combine history with the latest technologies in the sport of horse racing.