Guide to Horse Racing Betting

Pari-mutuel horse racing betting has been legal in the US since 1908 and is legal online in most US states. Even as one of America’s oldest betting sports, plenty of people still haven’t tried it out. If you’re interested in placing bets on horse racing, you’re in the right place. Read our complete guide to find out the best races and tracks for betting, where online horse racing betting is legal, and different categories of horse racing available for betting.

Best US Horse Races to Bet On

Race tracks have held horse races in the US since the 17th century, so it’s no surprise that bettors can find some of the biggest races globally at home in the US. Typically, racetracks hold the most significant events over the weekend or during the holidays.

There are races held at tracks across the US daily, so you can find hundreds of events at racebooks every year. Some horse races are graded, with Grade I races being the most prestigious events. We’ve listed some of the most significant US events in the racing calendar below to give you an idea of what races are popular with bettors.

Kentucky Derby

The most famous race in the US, the Kentucky Derby, is held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs. The thoroughbred race is the first leg of the Triple Crown, the three most elite races in US horse racing. It is one of the few races in the US that has been run every year without fail since it was first run in 1875, needing rescheduling but not canceling during World War Two and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Preakness Stakes

The second “jewel” or race in the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, is run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on the third Saturday in May. The race began in 1873 and was named after the colt who won the first Dinner Party Stakes at the course. Secretariat, an eventual Triple Crown winner, ran the fastest time around the Preakness Stakes in 1973.

Belmont Stakes

Otherwise known as the Test of Champions and the Run for the Carnations, the Belmont Stakes is the final race in the Triple Crown. The race is held at Belmont Park in New York. Like Preakness Stakes, the record for fastest time is held by Secretariat from the 1973 race. The name picked up the Run for the Carnations nickname because the winning horse is blanketed in white carnations.

Breeders Cup

The Breeders Cup started in 1984 as a one-day event rotating between race tracks across the US. IN 2006, the event expanded to cover two days. The races welcome thoroughbreds to race, with the Breeders’ Cup Classic the most prestigious race with the highest purse. The highest attendance for the Breeders Cup was hit at Santa Anita Park in 2016, while the lowest came at Monmouth Park in 2007.

Pegasus World Cup

Often competing for the richest horse race in the world, the Pegasus World Cup runs at Gulfstream Park and first started in 2017. The race covers one and ⅛ miles and has a Grade I rating. The race is named after the mythical Greek horse Pegasus, and there is a statue of the mythical beast at Gulfstream Park. Irad Ortiz Jr. is the only jockey to have ridden two winners at the race.

Horse Racing Categories

While horse racing may seem a simple sport from the outside, various different types of racing categories determine how a race is run and what kind of horses are suitable. Find out more about the different types of horse races you can bet on with advance deposit wager sites.

Flat Racing

A flat race is the most common type of race in the US, where horses race across a variety of distances on different surfaces. The key point with these races is that there are no obstacles. Horses simply run around a track as fast as possible. Top US races like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stake, and Belmont Stakes are all flat races.

Jump Racing

While flat racing sees horses racing around a course in a test of pure speed, jump racing includes obstacles that horses must jump over to complete the race. The most famous jump race globally is the English Grand National, which has been held annually since 1839.

Harness Racing

While most horse races involve jockeys riding on top of a horse, harness racing is unique in that jockeys are dragged behind in a two-wheel cart called a sulky, spider, or chariot. These races are limited to standardbred horses and are run in two gaits: trotting or pacing. Most US races are pacing events.

Endurance Racing

Rather than racing over short distances, endurance racing sees horses compete to cover distances ranging from 10 to 100 miles in a single day. Endurance horses are very different from thoroughbred racing horses. Famous US endurance races include the Tevis Cup, awarded to the horse that makes it 100 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Sacramento, California, in the shortest time.

Arabian Horse

While other types of horse racing relate what kind of track conditions or race length horses face, Arabian races are events that exclusively feature Arabian horses. Usually Arabian horses compete in flat races. The Arabian horse is the original horse racing breed, which is why so many fans find this category interesting.

Quarter Horse

Quarter horse racing is like the 100-meter sprint of horse racing. It is named because these races were originally held on tracks measuring a quarter of a mile. Nowadays, there are 11 distances that fall under the quarter horse race category, 220 to 870 yards. These races are usually run on straight tracks and are a test of short-distance speed. A specific quarter horse breed is usually used in these races.

Major US Racetracks

Horse racing in the US has been going on for centuries, with the first recorded race in 1665. Plenty of horse racing tracks have decades of history, holding some of the biggest races in the world. Below, we’ve listed some of the major racetracks in the US you should look out for when you sign up with top online racebooks.

• Churchill Downs
• Keeneland Racecourse
• Saratoga Race Course
• Belmont Park
• Delta Downs
• Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
• Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
• Santa Anita Park
• Pimlico Race Course

Is Horse Racing Betting Legal in the US?

Each US state is allowed to determine its own laws on the legality of horse racing betting, with 43 jurisdictions allowing some kind of wagering. Pari-mutuel betting has been legal since 1908, with lawmakers legalizing off-track betting (OTB) in 1978. Lawmakers altered this act in 2000 to pave the way for online horse racing betting to launch legally.

There are 42 states where you can bet on horse racing using an online betting platform. Here is a complete list of the horse racing betting laws in the US by state.

Horse Racing Betting FAQs

Q: Is horse racing betting legal in the US?

A: Horse racing betting is legal in 43 US states, with online horse racing betting available in 42 jurisdictions. The only jurisdictions with no horse racing betting are Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington D.C.

Q: How do I bet on horse racing online?

A: You can bet on horse racing online by signing up with a licensed racebook. You can find reviews of some of the top online horse racing betting sites in the US on our site to determine which platform is best for you. Once you provide your name, address, email, phone number, and other information, you can make cash deposits and place bets on upcoming races.

Q: Where are the best places to bet on horse races online?

A: Our experts have reviewed dozens of online horse racing betting sites in the US and selected the best options. You can browse our reviews to find which operator suits you best and sign up by providing your personal information. Many platforms will allow new players to claim a welcome bonus.

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