Horseracing in America
Horseracing in America occur on flat surfaces of either dirt, grass, or artificial material (polytrack). Thoroughbred racing, harness racing and quarterhorseracing are all held at horse racecourses in the America.
Horseracing with other breeds, such as Arabian horse racing, is also held albeit on a limited basis.
Thoroughbred horseracing in America are run at a wide variety of distances, most commonly from 5 furlongs to 1½ miles (2,414 m).
There are currently about 90 thoroughbred and 29 harness racecourses scattered across America.
Traditionally, the Kentucky Derby has always served as the event that generates the highest level of attention among horseracing fans in America. The Derby (held annually at Churchill Downs), combined with the Preakness Stakes (held at Pimlico Racecourse) and the Belmont Stakes (held at Belmont Park), comprise the so-called Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Horseracing for three-year-olds. Outstanding performance in these three events has traditionally been used to gauge which horses are considered to be the best among the best.
However, the Breeders' Cup races held at the end of the year, have recently become an event that has been as highly-anticipated as the Triple Crown events. The Breeders' Cup is held at a different track every year. First staged in 1984, the Breeders' Cup has an important effect on the selection of other annual Champions.
History of American Horseracing
Important horseracing tracks in America were built at Saratoga Springs, New York in 1863 and at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky., in 1875. Belmont Park was opened in 1905 in Elmont, New York (just outside New York City). Its mile and a half main track is the largest dirt thoroughbred racecourse in the world, and it has horseracing's largest grandstand.
List of American Horseracing Racecourse
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