Whether you're new to the sport of horse racing or have been an avid fan for years, it's always good to know which races to tune in for. Here's a list of all the important races that take place throughout the year, as well as information on the system of legalized betting used at all racetracks in the U.S.
Important Races
Breeders' Cup: Thoroughbred racing's year-end championships, consisting of 14 races and $25.5 million in purses. The Breeders' Cup began in 1984. The races are as follows:
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
Purse: $1 million; Distance: 7 Furlongs
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
Purse: $1 million; Distance: 1 mile
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies
Purse: $2 million; Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
Purse: $2 million; Distance: 1 1/4 miles
Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic
Purse: $2 million; Distance: 1 1/8 miles
Breeders' Cup Marathon
Purse: $500,000; Distance: 1 1/2 miles
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
Purse: $1 million; Distance: 6 1/2 furlongs
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
Purse: $1 million; Distance: 1 mile
Breeders' Cup Mile
Purse: $2 million; Distance: 1 mile
Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Purse: $2 million; Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf
Purse: $1 million; Distance: 1 mile
Breeders' Cup Sprint
Purse: $2 million; Distance: 6 furlongs
Breeders' Cup Turf
Purse: $3 million; Distance: 1 1/2 miles
Breeders' Cup Classic
Purse: $5 million; Distance: 1 1/4 miles
The Triple Crown
In the United States, the Triple Crown consists of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
The Kentucky Derby: First run in 1875, the Kentucky Derby is held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., and is a staple of American horse racing. Held on the first Saturday in May, the derby is the first race of the Triple Crown. It is an American Grade I stakes race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds.
The Preakness Stakes: Even older than the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes was first run in 1873. The race is held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md. The race is often called the "Run for the Black-eyed Susans," because a wreath of black-eyed Susans (Maryland's state flower) is put around the winner's neck. The Preakness is an American Grade I stakes race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds, and it takes place two weeks after the Kentucky Derby.
The Belmont Stakes: The oldest race of the three, the Belmont Stakes began in 1867 and is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. Similar to the Preakness Stakes, this race is called the "Run for the Carnations" because of the white wreath of carnations placed around the winner's neck. The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds. It is held in June, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby.
Next: Pari-mutuel Betting
