New York Horse Races
Host to major sporting events for centuries, such as the NFL Super Bowl, the State of New York is also world renowned for its Championship horse racing. From the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the US Triple Crown, through to the Breeders' Cup racing series, New York is the place to be for heart-stopping horse betting action. Whether you attend live racing in person at a historic venue like Belmont Park, visit one of the numerous NY OTB locations, or bet on the ponies online, the Empire State offers year round horse wagering action.
Biggest Horse Races in New York State
From the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel in the US horse racing Triple Crown, to the Breeders' Cup World Championships, legends are regularly born and raised in New York. Let's take a look at some of these amazing races - all available for wagering at our top rated online Racebooks.
Belmont Stakes
Five words sum up the historic Belmont Stakes horse racing event - The Test of the Champion. Held on a Saturday three weeks after the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes has produced eleven Triple Crown Champions - including Secretariat.
Jockey Club Gold Cup
Established in 1919, the Jockey Club Gold Cup Grade 1 Stakes race is the highlight of the fall racing schedule at Belmont Park. Winners of this prestigious race are automatic qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Wood Memorial Stakes
Serving as a "prep race" for the Kentucky Derby, the Wood Memorial G1 Stakes race is held annually in April at Aqueduct Racetrack and has amazingly produced four of the eleven US Triple Crown Champions.
Belmont Derby Invitational
As part of Stars & Strips Day, celebrating the 4th of July, the Belmont Derby Invitational carries a $1.25M purse. Formerly know as the Jamaica handicap, this turf race is open to 3-year-olds and is run over 1 1/4 miles.
Metropolitan Handicap
Contested on the dirt track at Belmont Park, the Metropolitan Handicap (AKA Met Mile) has been run every year (except 1895, 19111 and 1912) since 1891. This one mile race is open to horses who are 3-years old and older.
Cigar Mile
Honoring the legendary Cigar, who was the 1990's Horse of the Decade, the Cigar Handicap (formerly the NYRA Mile) is open to 3-years-olds and up. This race is run over one mile on the dirt at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Carter Handicap
With roots that stretch back to 1895, the Carter Handicap is named after Brooklyn tugboat captain William Carter. Renowned for its triple dead heat in 1944, this race is 7-furlongs and is run on the Aqueduct dirt track.
