US Horse Racing

Although many punters will be familiar with horse racing betting odds and the feature races from across the UK, if they've yet to explore American horse racing, they're in for an impressive betting experience with a host of thoroughbred flat races for punters to bet over a myriad of race tracks.

About US Horse Racing

Although punters may not think it, horse racing in America dates back to 1665, when many flat racing venues, such as Newmarket course and New York, since that introduction, the sport flourished within the USA. Originally using a quarter-length horse race as the distance, which only featured two runners, specific horses were bred to feature in those contests. In 1868 the American Stud Book, which holds all the information on all thoroughbred horses, was published, and it is still used in modern racing to monitor foals born in the whole North American region.

Thanks to the growing popularity of the sport, between 1890 and 1894, it was recorded that 314 tracks were in operation, and the American Jockey Club was formed. However, due to gambling laws, it almost saw the end of the sport until a specific betting platform was introduced. Following the formation of the Triple Crown, the sport once again took off, with top thoroughbred horses looking to land victories in all three of the feature races.

American Horse Racing Tips At Bet UK

Before all of the biggest American horse racing meetings, we'll offer horse racing tips on which runners will likely perform and who are longshots to land the races. So whether you're looking at the Kentucky Derby odds or browsing the Preakness Stakes betting odds, we have all of the US horse racing live odds on offer, so you'll have to browse our American betting tips before placing your horse racing bets.

US Horse Racing Schedule

The US horse racing calendar features all contest levels, and the thoroughbred horse races are normally run on three potential surfaces, dirt, synthetic, or turf. Regarding race distance, the most common races in US racing are usually a distance between five furlongs and 12 furlongs, and these races also have a much higher prestige value.

What are the Top US Racecourses?

Across US racing, there are many courses and three play hosts to the races in the US Triple Crown. But there are many other courses, some of them we've listed below, and several will feature in our American racing tips.

• Churchill Downs
• Pimlico Race Racecourse
• Belmont Park
• Saratoga Race Course
• Fairgrounds Race Course
• Keeneland Race Course
• Tampa Bay Downs
• Del Mar

What are the biggest horse races in US Horse Racing?

There are many top races held across the US at courses such as Churchill Downs, and for those punters looking for the biggest American betting odds, we've selected the main races with the biggest prize money you'll need to look out for below.

• Kentucky Derby
• Preakness Stakes
• Belmont Stakes
• Breeders' Cup
• Travers Stakes
• Arlington Miller
• Pacific Classic Stakes

The US Horse Racing Triple Crown

Although horse racing was popular in the US, it didn't take off until the introduction of the Triple Crown. Consisting of three races, the Kentucky Derby, which is run on the first Saturday in May, Preakness Stakes, held on the third Saturday in May; and the Belmont Stakes in June, it's one of the most coveted prizes in horse racing. Three of the most famous US horse races, it was won most recently by American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018. We've taken a look at the big meetings to feature the top races to feature below.

The Kentucky Derby

The first major horse race of the US racing schedule is the Kentucky Derby. Run each year at Churchill Downs, the race is the first leg of the US triple crown and is scheduled to occur in May. A Grade 1 race for three-year-olds, it's affectionately known as "The Run For the Roses" due to the blanket awarded to the winner of the race. It's also dubbed the fastest two minutes in American Sport.

Bet on the Kentucky Derby

When is the Kentucky Derby? The race is held annually in May and is normally held the first weekend of the month.

Where is the Kentucky Derby held? The Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs Racecourse. One of the most popular tracks in the US horse racing circuit, on the day of the main event, the crowds attending the Louisville course have seen crowds of over 170,000 attend. However, in recent years, the crowds have dropped due to the restrictions in place.

What time is the Kentucky Derby The Kentucky Derby is part of a race card that features 14 races on which punters can place bets. However, the main race itself is expected to start around 6:57 pm. As there are a number of races on the day, the card starts at 10:57 am.

Preakness Stakes

The second race of the US triple crown is the Preakness Stakes. Hosted at Pimlico Race in Maryland. It's a 9 and 1/2 furlong race that is open to both colts and fillies and is usually run in May of each year. It's a race that will normally see the winner of the Kentucky Derby take part, and prior to the race, we'll have the Preakness Stakes odds at Bet UK.

Belmont Stakes

The final leg of the US Triple Crown is the Belmont Stakes and normally takes place in June of each year near Hempstead Plains. Raced on a dirt track known as the big sandy, it's the final leg of the triple crown. Bet on the Belmont Stakes

Breeders Cup

Concluding the US horse racing season and a key area for American horse racing betting tips is the Breeders' Cup Meeting in Keeneland. Held annually in November of each year, it's also the time where we'll see top horses from across the horse racing UK scene make a trip across the pond. In the build-up to the main event, we'll have all of the top Breeders' Cup betting odds available live on-site and all of the other US horse racing live odds for all of the feature races throughout the season.

US Horse Racing Betting Types

Within US horse racing, many familiar betting types are used when betting on the track. However, there are some other bets types that may be unfamiliar, and we've listed them below:

Across The Board This is the best term given to a win, place, and show bet on a single horse and will count as three separate bets. So if you bet £10, it will cost £30.

Show Similar to a place bet, if your horse finishes in the top three places, you will be paid out for your stake.

Superfecta If you're a bettor who likes to predict the first three horses within a trifecta, then why not try your hand at a Superfecta where you have to select the first four runners in the race to pass the post.