If you are new to betting on horse racing, then it is important that you know about the most popular events every year. By knowing about these events, you can make sure that you are placing your bets at the right time and increase your chances of winning. In this article, we will discuss some of the most popular horse racing betting events each year.
The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a celebrated horse race that takes place annually in Louisville, Kentucky. The event is held on the first Saturday in May, and draws large crowds from all over the world. The Kentucky Derby is often referred to as “The Run for the Roses,” owing to the fact that a garland of red roses is presented to the winner. The race is open to three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, and has been run continuously since 1875. Today, the Kentucky Derby is one of the most popular horse races of the year, attracting top trainers and jockeys from across the globe. With its rich history and tradition, it’s no wonder the Kentucky Derby remains a cherished event for betting online enthusiasts all over the world.
Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The 1.25-mile (2-km) race is a Grade I event open to three-year-old horses. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds (57 kg), and fillies 121 pounds (55 kg). It is the second leg of the American Triple Crown, preceded by the Kentucky Derby, and followed by the Belmont Stakes. First, run in 1873, the Preakness Stakes was named by a former Maryland governor after his colt won the race. One of four graded stakes races held at Pimlico, Preakness is Runnymede Farm’s Woodlawn Vase, and statues of both Secretariat and Citation grace the infield. The 138th running of the Preakness Stakes took place on Saturday, May 16, 2015. American Pharoah won by seven lengths over nine others to claim his second jewel in the Triple Crown. He became only the twelfth horse to win the prestigious title. Being one of the most popular horse races of the year, Preakness always draws huge crowds.
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The mile-and-a-half (2400-m) “test of champions” attracts both three-year-old Thoroughbreds and the best older horses from all over the world. The field usually numbers between ten and twelve horses. First held in 1867, the Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races. It predates both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes by two years. The Belmont Stakes is run on a Saturday, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby, and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes. The 2015 Belmont winner, American Pharoah, became the first horse in 37 years to win the Triple Crown. With a huge purse and its place in horse racing history, the Belmont Stakes is one of the most popular horse races of the year.
The Breeders’ Cup Classic
The Breeders’ Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The event is operated by Breeders’ Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. All horses carrying northern hemisphere time are older than three years old, and all horses carrying southern hemisphere time are three years old. The Classic is considered by many to be the premier Thoroughbred horse race of the year in North America. With a purse of $5 million, it is also the richest turf race in the world. The Classic is run at a distance of one and one-quarter miles (2000 m) on dirt. It is the main event of the two-day Breeders’ Cup world championships and is held on Saturday. The 2015 Classic was won by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who became the first horse to win both the Classic and the Triple Crown.