There are few more popular tourist locations in the world than New York City. Millions of international visitors make trips to the City That Never Sleeps annually, with the festive period being among the most popular times of the year to visit.
However, with a rich sporting history, New York has a reputation for being a bucket list location for fans of American Football, basketball, and baseball – especially since both New York teams are now in the League Championship Series.
Ice hockey is also incredibly popular in the Big Apple, with the New York Rangers playing their home games at the illustrious Madison Square Garden.
However, horse racing fans also have a trip to New York near the tops of their bucket lists, with the major city boasting a number of nearby esteemed tracks that host iconic races throughout the season. But, what are the best tracks to see horse racing live in New York?
Saratoga Racetrack
Even though most people are now shifting their attention to bet the 2024 Breeders’ Cup with TwinSpires, which happens in California, Saratoga is always a popular racetrack and is hosting prep races for Kentucky Derby.
There are potentially few more scenic locations in the New York region to watch horse racing that Saratoga Racetrack. The Spa is located a three-hour drive from downtown New York, with the track being famous for being one of the oldest sporting venues in the United States.
Saratoga opened its doors to the public in August 1963 with a four-day meet, but such has been its success that the typical meet at the Spa now lasts for over 40 days between mid-July and early September.
With over ten Grade One races on the annual schedule, superstars typically travel to Saratoga to land huge purses. One of the most notable races on the Saratoga program is the Travers Stakes. It is the highlight of the summer meeting, and is widely recognised as the summer derby.
One of the most exciting renewals of the race came in 2015, as a hefty purse of $1.6 million was on offer following the presence of Triple Crown star American Pharoah. But, like many before him, the three-year-old would suffer a shock defeat in the race when finishing behind Keen Ice.
However, since the 1900s it has been labelled as the ‘Graveyard of Champions’. Man o’ War suffered his only loss in 21 starts at the Spa when losing to Upset in the Sanford Stakes. Other horses to have suffered shock defeats at the track including Triple Crown heroes such as Gallant Fox and Secretariat. A day of drama is always in store when making the trop to Saratoga.
Aqueduct
One of the easiest race tracks to visit in New York comes in the form of Aqueduct, which is located just 50 minutes away from Hoboken. Furthermore, there are direct trains to the track.
Aqueduct was first opened to the public in September 1894, and it operates racing between late November and early April. It is also a popular location for gamblers in the city, with Resorts World New York City located opposite the Aqueduct entrance. Three different tracks can be found at Aqueduct, with an inner and main turf course used throughout the season.
Three of the biggest Grade Ones on the schedule are staged at the New York track, including the Cigar Mile Handicap. However, the most pivotal could come in the form of the Wood Memorial Stakes.
The Grade Two is one of the final Kentucky Derby prep races, and has produced eleven winners of the Churchill Downs race since 1930. However, the most famous runner in the race was Wood Memorial third Secretariat in 1973, as the loser on that day would eventually win the Triple Crown.
Belmont Park
Only one track in New York hosts a Triple Crown race annually, and Belmont Park is accessible from downtown with visitors taking an hour-long train journey. However, it is worth mentioning that the track will not host the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Belmont Stakes due to ongoing renovation.
But, the much-loved track will remain a must-visit for all racing fans when it reopens its doors in 2026. Belmont Park was opened in May 1905, and it remains one of the most popular courses in the United States to visit. Operated by the NYRA, racing at the track takes place between late April until mid-July, before the Fall meet runs between September and October.
It is known widely as the ‘Championship Track’ due to almost every major champion having run at Belmont Park since the turn of the 20th century. Among those include all Triple Crown winners, with the course playing host to the illustrious Belmont Stakes.
The biggest crowd assembled at the track was recorded in 2004, with 120,000 people witnessing Birdstone upset Smarty Jones in his bid for Triple Crown immortality.
As well as the Belmont Stakes, there are 13 further Grade Ones on the Belmont schedule, and over 20 Grade Twos or Threes. Notable turf races on the schedule include the Belmont Derby, which was staged for the first time in 1929.
