Best US Horse Races

Horse racing has been a hugely popular sport in a number of corners around the world, with it being followed all across the globe. There are a number of events that happen in Great Britain, France, Republic of Ireland and Dubai to name just a few, whilst the United States of America have also enjoyed the sporting events with immense popularity for an extremely long time.

History would have the sport dating back to 1665 as that was when The Newmarket Course in Salisbury was established; a venue which is now known as the Hempstead Plains in Long Island, New York.

The audience that horse racing in the United States generates provides a huge amount of betting opportunities and an all-star bets review can certainly help punters find the best betting apps on the market for the races.

With the mass appeal that is involved in horse racing within the United States of America, there are plenty of top races available for people to have a bet on. Here are just some of the top races that happen annually:

Kentucky Derby

Perhaps one of the most famous races in the world, the Kentucky Derby is one of the biggest horse meets on the American calendar. Based at the Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the race is a Grade I stakes that attracts the best 3-year-old thoroughbreds at a distance of one and a quarter miles.

The historic event takes place over two weeks and will usually happen on the first Saturday in May each year. There is a prize pool of more than $2 million and the event is the maiden leg of the American Triple Crown.

Preakness Stakes

May is certainly a top month for American horse racing as the third Saturday of the month sees the second leg of the American Triple Crown event, the Preakness Stakes. The race has been held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and is contested over a distance of 9.5 furlongs or 1 3/16 miles.

The race is competed between some of the best 3-year-old males that takes place on a yearly basis in a Grade 1 category.

Belmont Stakes

The Belmont Stakes is the final stage of the US Triple Crown and is held usually in June, just three short weeks after the Preakness Stakes. Once again, this event is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds who compete over a distance of 12 furlongs (1.5 miles) at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

Legendary Secretariat is perhaps the most famous horse to be associated with the event, as he set the record of 2:24 with a winning margin of a mammoth 31 lengths in 1973. No other thoroughbred has managed to even get close to competing with that time. There is a $1.5 million prize pool available as well.

Breeders' Cup

The Breeders' Cup is perhaps the best race outside of the American Triple Crown. It is an annual series of races that sees Grade I horses compete. Founded in 1982, the race takes place every year and has since expanded to a two-day event due to the popularity it attracts from crowds and bettors.