Live Horse Racing

There are few things as exciting and thrilling as live horse racing. In the United States and abroad, modern tracks and expansive facilities draw tens of thousands of spectators to premier events. A few of the most famous live horse races, such as the Kentucky Derby and the other two components of the so called “Triple Crown” (the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes), draw television audiences that number in the millions.

Of the three, the Kentucky Derby is by far the most famous, and has become a true American institution. More than a horse race, it is a festival–a gathering on huge scale, frequently referred to as the “Run for the Roses.” It has developed a set of traditions and pageantry, including the famous mint julep drink, which race patrons indulge in with great enthusiasm.

The middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, is also a race full of history. Held at the historic Pimlico Race Course, which opened on October 25th, 1870, it has been witness to the greatest races and horses in the history of the sport, including legends such as Secretariat and Seabiscuit. Preakness Day is similar to the Kentucky Derby in its scope–during the race, as many as 65,000 impassioned fans crowd the infield.

The last step in the exceedingly difficult Triple Crown (no horse has won all three races since 1978) is the Belmont Stakes, held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. In true New York fashion, the facility is gigantic, and has accommodated close to 100,000 spectators in past races. The 1.5 mile course, longer than the first two of the Triple Crown, has witnessed many spectacular moments, including the record 1973 victory of Secretariat, who beat the rest of the field by 31 lengths.

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