The Top Attraction of Handicapping Contests in the United States!

ByMaria Paul

Whether under the famous Twin Spires of Churchill Downs, with mesmerizing views of the beautiful mountain backdrop of Santa Anita, or spending a hot day at historic Spa at Saratoga Race Course, a day spent at the track is one of the best sporting events around the world. Rather than just spending the day with views, knowledge about the best handicapping events in the US will add to your enjoyment and excitement.

Horse racing in the United States is a sport that unites the country and facilitates millions of opportunities for wagers. From small races to some of the most significant events in the world of horse racing and everything in between, you can indeed find all in U.S. horse racing.

Here is a brief into some of the most significant horse racing events and handicapping contests in the U.S.

Kentucky Derby

Most consider this one as a holy grail of handicapping events in the U.S., and it’s undeniable. The one ¼-mile Kentucky Derby is considered a grade one race and the best of its kind. It is scheduled for the first Saturday of every May. The venue for this historic and prestigious horse racing event is Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The prize money is massive; a whopping $2 million attracts all the best jockeys, trainers, and owners to fight for the prize. This is one of the best handicapping events for bettors to wager on and make some serious cash.

Preakness Stakes

The month of May in the U.S. witnesses some of the best handicapping events. The Preakness Stakes is held on the third Saturday of every May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and is the second fixture in the U.S. Triple Crown. This, too, is a grade one race.

Belmont Stakes

This is the third most famous handicapping contests of the U.S. Triple Crown. Famous as the “Test of the Champion,” the Belmont Stakes is held annually in June, three weeks after the Preakness. The featured prize money is $1.5 million, for which the race is held at Belmont Park at a distance of 1 ½ mile on the dirt.

Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is a dynamic contest with a new panache every year. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum won 15 Breeders’ Cup races, and jockey Mike Smith is the most consistent and successful rider at this handicapping event with 26 victories tucked under his belt.

Travers Stakes

The Travers Stakes is one 1/4-mile race that serves as one of the highlights of the U.S. Derby calendar and a marquee summer event. The Travers Stakes handicapping contest is often referred to as the “Midsummer Derby” and is one of the oldest major stakes races in the U.S., having first been conducted in 1864. The Travers is held and more known for the picturesque Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Some Interesting Facts: 

The first-ever winner of all Triple Crown races was Sir Barton in 1919. Some journalists used the term Triple Crown to refer to the three races as early as 1923, but in the year 1930, the Gallant Fox won the three events, and since then, the term ‘Triple Crown race’ was put together for general use.

In the history of Triple Crown races, only 13 horses have won all three races to date

  • Sir Barton (1919)
  • Gallant Fox (1930)
  • Omaha (1935)
  • War Admiral (1937)
  • Whirlaway (1941)
  • Count Fleet (1943)
  • Assault (1946)
  • Citation (1948)
  • Secretariat (1973)
  • Seattle Slew (1977)
  • Affirmed (1978)
  • American Pharoah (2015)
  • Justify (2018)
  • American Pharoah and Justify are the only living Triple Crown winners as of now in the 21st Century!