Some of the best racecourses in the world are in the United States, and if you are a fan of a day at the races, you should look to visit some of them on your travels.
Here is a look at the top three racecourses in the USA and what makes them so special.
Belmont Park (Elmont, New York)
If you are visiting New York, Belmont Park is a very easy racecourse to get to. There are some fantastic public transport links to the venue, especially on their major race days like the Belmont Stakes.
Meetings at Belmont Park take place from April through October. Their biggest fixture is in June when they host the final leg of the US Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. If a horse wins the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, there tends to be a lot of attention on this race to see if they can complete the treble.
In 2022, Mo Donegal is the +225 favorite to win the Belmont Stakes. He is likely to be one of the popular racing tips for the race as he has been successful three times in his five appearances so far.
If you aren’t lucky enough to be going to the US Triple Crown event this year, it is one to consider for future trips to New York.
Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)
Home to the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs is a special racecourse that is full of history. The US Triple Crown race is the highlight of the year at the venue in Louisville, and if you ever get the chance to experience Kentucky Derby day, you should. The race is described as “the most exciting two minutes in sport”.
Racing has been held at Churchill Downs since 1875. There are now nine Grade One races at the track here, including the Kentucky Derby, which was won in 2022 by Rich Strike. It means you are likely to see some of the best thoroughbreds in the United States appear across the year.
Over 150,000 people flock to the course on ‘Derby Day’. There is always a great atmosphere across the track, with people socializing and enjoying the action on the course.
Santa Anita Park (Arcadia, California)
When it comes to picturesque racecourses, very few can rival Santa Anita Park. The racecourse was built in front of the San Gabriel Mountains, leaving visitors with a great backdrop.
California is fortunate to have a number of top racecourses, and this is one of them. It regularly plays host to the Breeders’ Cup, a meeting which is largely regarded as the world championship in the sport.
Racing at Santa Anita takes place for large parts of the year, so regardless of when you are visiting, to will always have a good chance of catching a meeting. If it is the Breeders’ Cup you want to attend, the world championship is set to return there in 2023.
Enjoy your visit to one of the three above racecourses. Hopefully you have a great time, and you go away wanting to return.
