Horse racing in America today is extremely popular, captivating the attention of those who attend and wager online at Stake Sportsbook. In this guide, we will provide an overview of the biggest horse racing events in the Horse Racing Calendar and unravel the sport’s rich history.
Most Popular Horse Racing Events in the US
The most lucrative race days in the US revolve around the Triple Crown series, and there are plenty of betting opportunities. We have listed some of the best live horse races and highlighted when they will be staged in 2025:
Kentucky Derby - May 3, 2025
Preakness Stakes - May 17, 2025
Belmont Stakes - June 7, 2025
Breeders’ Cup - October 30-November 1, 2025
Arlington Million - August 9, 2025
Santa Anita Handicap - March 1, 2025
Leading Jockeys & Race Horses in US Racing
The leading jockeys in the US are all brimming with talent. Although they may have had some luck along the way, they have been able to churn out winners everywhere, including Parx racing and the Longines Kentucky Oaks. The following tables illustrate jockey statistics and race horses, including 2024 earnings:
Take stats into consideration - Look at past stats before diving in and placing a wager on events in the US calendar tomorrow.
Always define a budget - Be careful when bankrolling your account and use a gambling calculator to wager within your means.
Adjust during cold streaks - Be prepared to adjust accordingly when things go against you. This applies to all types of betting methods used, even those not horse racing specific, such as handicap betting or multi bet builders.
Horse racing in the US has a plethora of different bets, and we have mentioned some of the most popular, including those wishing to explore more exotic horse racing betting types.
Win Bets - A straight-up bet where you just have to predict which horse you think will win the race. This is just like moneyline betting.
Place Bets - Offering a bit more security than a single or win bet, the place bet will entail wagering on the horse that will finish in first or second, offering two opportunities to win.
Each-way bet - A dual bet featuring two components; you will be wagering on a horse to win but also a horse to place. Learn more about each way vs place bets over on our blog and find out the best ways to place each bet type.
Exacta - This requires pegging the first two runners to cross the line, and the two horses must finish first or second.
Trifecta - Like the Exacta, you can bet this as a straight trifecta 1-2-3. As long as they finish in that order, you will land a winner.
Flexi Betting: With a flexi bet, you can place a combination of selections within an exotic bet for a smaller outlay, reducing the risk.
This guide should be a great reference point, so bookmark this page. In the meantime, gamble responsibly. Please consult our Stake Smart guidelines for further advice at Stake.com.For more information on the international racing scene, you can also find out more about betting on today's races in regions like Australia & NZ, Asia and Europe.
