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I’m a race track aficionado. Santa Anita was the first track I ever visited, and it’s still my favorite. Seeing a horse race live from the track is an unforgettable experience. If you spend your time playing the races at some stuffy OTB or at home with TVG on the tube, then you’re missing out on the greatness of the thoroughbred racing experience.
Every horse racing fan should visit the great race tracks to soak up the ambiance, feel the crowd’s adrenaline, and see the beautiful and magnificent thoroughbred horses up close and in person.
Below, I’ve listed ten horse racing tracks that everyone who loves the sport of kings should visit at least once in their lives—and preferably much more than just once! Ah, “the Great Race Place. Nothing can beat the majestic backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, and there’s no more beautiful or better-designed paddock in the country. Even on a slow Friday, the track still gets enough visitors to make it feel alive and happening, and there’s no track in the country that handles large crowds better.
Getting in and out is a breeze even when there are 40, people packing the place, as does still happen on occasion. Saratoga is a gorgeous historic racetrack in a racing-mad city packed with horse racing fans. What could be better? A trip to “The Spa” is like a trip back in time, and it’s something every racing fan should do at least once in their lives. Saratoga can be hot and humid in August, but who cares? A muggy day in Saratoga is better than a perfect day anywhere else. Saratoga has a country fair atmosphere that makes it the most family-friendly of tracks.
There’s something magical about Keeneland. From the well-manicured grounds to the lovely stone clubhouse, there’s an understated elegance to the place that makes you feel like you’re somewhere very special. The racing is always top-notch, and big daily crowds make for a fun and lively atmosphere. My only complaint is that it’s sometimes too crowded, making it hard to get a look at the horses in the beautiful paddock and walking ring.
The spring meet is a fun time to visit because everyone has derby fever, but the weather is typically better during the fall meet.
It’s a fantastic track just a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean, with big crowds and six-day-a-week racing that’s as good as California horse racing gets these days.
Make an effort to go on opening day, when all the Southern California ladies dress up and show it off for the boys. Personally, I hate huge crowds, so I never have and will never visit Churchill Downs on Derby Day, but how can any horse racing fan pass up the chance to visit the home of the Kentucky Derby. Sadly, the famous twin spires have been somewhat eclipsed by grand new construction, but it’s still a thrill to see them as you pull into the parking lot.
Churchill is very much a neighborhood race track, and that gives it a friendly, urban vibe. If you time your trip right, you can hit up both Churchill and Keeneland in the same week, since their meets are contiguous and they’re only an hour and a half drive from each other. Be sure to visit the Kentucky Derby Museum while you’re at Churchill—they’ve got lots of cool memories and memorabilia. The racing at Monmouth Park isn’t quite major league, but there is still plenty of good-stakes action during the long summer meet.
Weather can be hot and humid, so dress accordingly. Quarter horse racing, anyone? New Mexico’s Ruidoso Downs is a Mecca for the Quarter horse set and a great place to visit even if you’re more interested in the thoroughbreds.
The finish line at the Arlington International Racecourse. Located in suburban Chicago, the Arlington Park grandstand, which was rebuilt after a fire, is probably the nicest of any race track in America.
The summer racing isn’t on a par with Del Mar or Saratoga, but the fields are full and a good turf course and one-mile chute on the dirt track make for interesting racing. Reserve a table in the Million Room, a nice restaurant with a killer view of the track.
It’s a perfect place to settle down for the day, and the cost is very reasonable. The grand old lady may be a little down on her luck, but she’s still got what it takes. Sure, it’s a little sad to see such a magnificent track with only a few thousand people rattling around the cavernous grandstand, but on a beautiful autumn day, there are few better places to be.
Even Belmont Stakes day is a good time to go for a crowd-phobe like me, at least if no horse is going for the Triple Crown, since Belmont can easily accommodate 50, people with room to spare. Visit now before it gets turned into a shopping mall. A great little track in the resort town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Oaklawn Park has a nice, glass-encased grandstand with ugh slot-type machines inside. There’s also a lot to see and do in the surrounding area.
They offer very decent quality day-to-day racing, but plan your trip during the Racing Festival of the South—this event boasts lots of good stakes races on tap, including the Kentucky Derby prep race Oaklawn Derby. My only compliant is the lack of a turf course.
What’s up with that? Aqueduct Park is the place you have to see. Pissing on the door. The smell of marijuana everywhere. Security no where to be seen. Etc etc. Trust me shen i say, you will never forget the experience. How does anyone feel about hialeah? I saw forego beat true knight in the widener in and i was really impressed with the track.
Tanforan was a west coast version of churchill. Iv been to most tracks on the west coast. Longacers in washington was my fav. To bad they closed it years ago.
I always figured that there’s no turf course at Oaklawn because they only race in the winter — not a good time for grass. Nice List. Been to 8 of them. Missing Ruidoso Downs and Oaklawn Park. Some comments: Delaware Park is a beautiful track. Racing is not so good there and they’ve cut their meet down but still one of those throwback tracks.
Trying to take in as many tracks as I can these days before most of them go out of business. Monmouth Park is my home track and as you’ve said one of the top ones in the country.
Unfortunately if it doesn’t get sports betting it’s future is in doubt. Keep up the good work. Santa Rosa,CA. Great fair meet and there is so much to see and experience that are close by. Russian River, Napa Valley, and the people there are awesome host. Yes, I know it’s not a main circuit place, but it should be with Bay Meadows gone. I plan to go East to check it Out.
Built in Amazing place. With image googling it The slot-type machines at Oaklawn are not in the glass enclosed grandstand. They are in the casino which is separate but attached. Remington Park is very beautiful. It’s been a long time since I was there, but on the day I passed through, the exers quarterback Steve Young was there. I can’t remember the reason why, though. It was around or so! Great article! JCL,what ever happened to Kenny Church?
He was one of the great riders at Arlington when we were there. And there off. I have to agree with your number one listing of Santa Anita Race Track. I’ve been to all of the tracks on the West Coast and Santa Anita is the most beautiful. I hope to visit Keeneland and Belmont in the near future. Thanks for the great list. Although it has been years since I last was there, Arlington is a great track.
Some good races especially the Million are run there. I am surprised you did not include Meadowlands in New Jersey. It is a great track for harness racing with plenty of history.
Great list!! The Arlington Million in August is a very wonderful time of the year. Here’s a list with photos and descriptions of 10 of the most important types of horse riding saddles associated with English and Western riding.
Injuries from falling off a horse can be life-threatening. This article explains the ways you can prevent yourself and others from falling off a horse, with instructional safety videos included.
What Countries Have the Highest Support for Horse Racing? – Scoop Empire – How many racecourses are there in Ireland?
Calder Race Course t Gulfstream Park t. Hialeah Park t Tampa Bay Downs t. Pompano Park h. Arlington Park t Fairmount Park t. Maywood Park Race Track h. Indiana Downs t. Churchill Downs t Ellis Park t. Keeneland Race Course t Kentucky Downs t. Turfway Park t The Red Mile h. Delta Downs t Evangeline Downs t. Fair Grounds t Harrah’s Louisiana Downs t.
Laurel Park t Maryland State Fairgrounds t. Pimlico Race Course t Ocean Downs h. Suffolk Downs t. Plainridge Racecourse h. Hazel Park Raceway h. Northville Downs h. Canterbury Park t. The track hosted the Breeders’ Cup and annually hosts several other major events every year.
It was first run in , and in , Northern Dancer became the first horse to ever win both the Derby and the Plate. Where to stay: Woodbine Hotel and Suites. Longchamp is one of several high-class venues in France, which has produced plenty of world-class horses over the years.
Most recently, the race has been won twice by Enable, who trekked across the Atlantic to also annex the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs. Since the turn of the millennium, Oaklawn has played host to some of the best 3-year-olds in the country.
Where to stay: Best Western Winners Circle. Located in Hallandale Beach, Florida, Gulfstream Park has long been known for having one of the best winter-spring meets in the country.
It recently underwent a significant renovation, and now supports live racing almost year-round. The race is one of only a few each year to consist of a full lap around the gigantic Long Island track, and its grueling distance is a large part of why the race is known as “the test of the champion.
Its summer meet is one of the most well-supported in the country, with many of the top horses of the past and present making appearances at some of its biggest races. Interestingly, Keeneland was one of the last tracks in the country to install a public-address system. The Keeneland brass held out until Where to stay: 21c Museum Hotel Lexington. In more recent times, the track located east of Los Angeles has hosted the Breeders’ Cup 10 times, most recently in Where to stay: Lyndricks House.
The majority of the biggest horse races take place between March and December, with a break for the winter. Horse racing is so popular in the United Kingdom that a national newspaper called the Racing Post has been published each day since It contains racecards for all races in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, betting information, and tips from experts. Like in the UK, horse racing in the United States can be traced back several centuries with the earliest recorded races taking place in As in Britain, horse racing in the United States involves thoroughbred racehorses that can have their lineage traced in the American Stud Book.
Several of these are more than years old, having been founded in the 19th century. Instead, almost all American horse races take place on flat terrain. Like in other countries, there are several major horse racing events that are the highlight of the US calendar. Betting is also a big part of the sport, with horse racing being one of a few exceptions allowed under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act that prohibited most forms of sports betting.
Today, billions of dollars are wagered each year on horse races in the US. The Australian horse racing scene is similar to that in the UK, with flat racing and steeplechase racing both taking place. You can also find harness racing, which is similar to Roman chariot racing but does not always involve thoroughbreds. Horse racing is the third biggest sport in the country, behind Australian rules football and rugby league, with around licensed racecourses in the country.
The latter is a public holiday in the state of Victoria and captures the attention of most of the country.
Which country has the most horse racing tracks –
Its popularity never declined and racing thoroughbred horses later became a common sport with the British upper class and royalty. Some people believe that horse racing has conserved equestrian skills that would have otherwise been lost once horses were no longer used for war. Several countries around the world have established horse racing venues where spectators can observe riders and their horses.
Here are the three largest horse racing venues by spectator capacity in the world:. The Tokyo Racecourse is located in Fuchu in Tokyo. This venue can hold , individuals with seats for 13, spectators.
It was built in and now hosts many races annually. The course itself measures 1. In , Tokyo Racecourse underwent renovations, which included an improved grandstand. Today, the venue has the largest video screen in the world, feet wide by 37 feet high. The second largest horse racing venue in the world is the Nakayama Racecourse, located in Funabashi, Chiba in Japan.
In this venue, up to , spectators can observe the races. It was built in and offers two grass courses, a dirt course, and a jump course. The races run here range from the 1, meter to the 4, meter, depending on which track is used. Some of the most well-known jump races carried out here include the Nakayama Grand Jump and the Nakayama Daishogai. This venue can host up to , spectators. Boasting a mile long grandstand, it only opened in and is situated in the middle of the desert.
There is plenty of racing in Argentina, though it is not often broadcast outside of the country. Best known for its races at Woodbine, Canadian and North American racing go hand in hand.
Hosting its own version of the triple crown, it has some of the best quality of racing outside of Europe. Although not well-known for its horse racing, it does host one of the biggest National Hunt races of the international racing calendar. The Velka Pardubicka takes place over 4m 2f and a variety of fences. The season takes place from April to November, with the Group 1 contests mainly taking place in July, August and September over ten to twelve furlongs.
With nine venues and quite a national following, horse racing in India has been going on for over two-hundred years. Hosting over 21, races each year, Japanese racing is very popular. An International Invitational race, three British trained horses have won the contest previously. Switzerland may not seem like an obvious place to host horse racing, but it is famous for St Moritz — a racecourse built on a frozen lake. It often features a number of jockeys from the United Kingdom. Tragically, a fall in for George Baker and his mount Boomerang Bob ended fatally for the horse and led to career ending injuries for George Baker, following the ground giving way.
Greyhound Tips. Horse Racing Tips By Racecourse. The main territories outside of Great Britain and Ireland offering horse racing are: American Horse Racing Horse racing remains popular in America, although not to the same extent as other American sports.
Australian Horse Racing Outside of Europe, Australia probably has the biggest following in terms of horse racing. French Horse Racing Almost a mirror to British and Irish racing, French horse racing has a big pool of talent, including some of the best jockeys and trainers in the world. Hong Kong Horse Racing Arguably boasting the most modern looking racetrack in the world in the amazing Happy Valley, Hong Kong has two racecourses which feature over races per year.
The more minor territories are: Argentinian Horse Racing There is plenty of racing in Argentina, though it is not often broadcast outside of the country. Czech Republic Horse Racing Although not well-known for its horse racing, it does host one of the biggest National Hunt races of the international racing calendar. Indian Horse Racing With nine venues and quite a national following, horse racing in India has been going on for over two-hundred years.
Japanese Horse Racing Hosting over 21, races each year, Japanese racing is very popular. Swiss Horse Racing Switzerland may not seem like an obvious place to host horse racing, but it is famous for St Moritz — a racecourse built on a frozen lake. How many places are there in a horse race?
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Which country has the most horse racing tracks –
› what-countries-have-the-highest-support-for-horse-raci. This is a list of currently active horse racing venues sorted by country. In most the United States and some parts of Canada use “racetracks” (some parts.