This weekend marks the highly anticipated running of the Kentucky Derby, one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. Held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the race draws the best three-year-old thoroughbreds from across the country. As the horses thunder down the track, jockeys guide them through a challenging 1 1/4-mile course, pushing their mounts to the limit. The race is known for its electrifying atmosphere, with thousands of spectators cheering on their favorites and wagering on the outcome. Whether you’re a seasoned racing enthusiast or a casual observer, the Kentucky Derby promises an unforgettable spectacle of equine athleticism and the thrill of competition.
Upcoming Races This Weekend
If you’re a fan of the Sport of Kings, then you’ll want to tune in to some of the exciting races taking place this weekend. Here’s a look at what’s on tap:
- Saturday, March 4
- The Gotham Stakes (Grade III) at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York
- The Santa Anita Handicap (Grade I) at Santa Anita Park in California
- Sunday, March 5
- The Fountain of Youth Stakes (Grade II) at Gulfstream Park in Florida
- The Risen Star Stakes (Grade II) at Fair Grounds Race Course in Louisiana
These races are all important prep races for the Kentucky Derby, which is set to be run on May 6. So, be sure to tune in and watch some of the future stars of the sport in action!
| Date | Race | Track |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, March 4 | The Gotham Stakes (Grade III) | Aqueduct Racetrack |
| Saturday, March 4 | The Santa Anita Handicap (Grade I) | Santa Anita Park |
| Sunday, March 5 | The Fountain of Youth Stakes (Grade II) | Gulfstream Park |
| Sunday, March 5 | The Risen Star Stakes (Grade II) | Fair Grounds Race Course |
Horse Racing Events this Weekend
Get ready for a thrilling weekend of horse racing action with a packed schedule of races taking place across the country.
Horse Racing Tracks and Events
- Santa Anita Park (Arcadia, California): Breeders’ Cup Classic (Saturday)
- Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky): Kentucky Derby (Saturday)
- Belmont Park (Elmont, New York): Belmont Stakes (Saturday)
Featured Races
Don’t miss these high-profile races that promise excitement and drama:
- Breeders’ Cup Classic: A Grade I race for 3-year-olds and up, offering a purse of $6 million.
- Kentucky Derby: The “Run for the Roses,” a Grade I race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds.
- Belmont Stakes: The third and final leg of the Triple Crown for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds.
Race Schedule
| Race | Date | Time |
|—|—|—|
| Breeders’ Cup Classic | Saturday | 8:40 PM ET |
| Kentucky Derby | Saturday | 6:57 PM ET |
| Belmont Stakes | Saturday | 6:49 PM ET |
Check with the individual tracks for more details on race times, tickets, and betting options.
This weekend’s horse racing events
This weekend is set to be a thrilling one for horse racing enthusiasts, with several exciting races scheduled to take place. From the iconic Royal Ascot meeting in the UK to the prestigious Belmont Stakes in the US, there’s plenty of action to look forward to.
Royal Ascot, UK
Royal Ascot is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, attracting top horses and jockeys from around the globe. This year’s meeting runs from Tuesday, June 14th to Saturday, June 18th, with a total of 30 races taking place over five days.
- Saturday, June 18th: The final day of Royal Ascot features the prestigious Gold Cup, a Group 1 race over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs.
- Betting odds and predictions: Stradivarius is the current favorite to win the Gold Cup, with odds of around 3/1. Other contenders include Kyprios (5/1), Trueshan (6/1), and Spanish Mission (8/1).
Belmont Stakes, US
The Belmont Stakes is the final leg of the Triple Crown, and is set to take place on Saturday, June 11th. This year’s race features a talented field of horses, including several who have already won major races this season.
- Saturday, June 11th: The Belmont Stakes is a 1 1/2-mile race for 3-year-old horses.
- Betting odds and predictions: Rich Strike, who won the Kentucky Derby in a stunning upset, is the current favorite to win the Belmont Stakes, with odds of around 5/2. Other contenders include Zandon (3/1), We the People (4/1), and Jack Christopher (6/1).
| Race | Date | Distance | Favorite | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Cup | Saturday, June 18th | 2 miles and 4 furlongs | Stradivarius | 3/1 |
| Belmont Stakes | Saturday, June 11th | 1 1/2 miles | Rich Strike | 5/2 |
This Weekend’s Horse Racing Schedule
Get ready for a thrilling weekend of horse racing action! Here’s what’s on the cards:
Saturday, March 12th
- Gulfstream Park (Florida): Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), Holy Bull Stakes (G3)
- Santa Anita Park (California): Arcadia Stakes (G2), Santa Anita Handicap (G1)
- Fair Grounds (Louisiana): Risen Star Stakes (G2), Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2)
Sunday, March 13th
- Churchill Downs (Kentucky): Southwest Stakes (G3), Fair Grounds Oaks (G2)
- Oaklawn Park (Arkansas): Rebel Stakes (G2), Azeri Stakes (G2)
- Turfway Park (Kentucky): Spiral Stakes (G3)
Live Streaming and Replays
- TVG: Live coverage of all major races
- FanDuel TV: Live streaming of select races
- DRF Bets: Live streaming and replays of all races
- XBTV: Live streaming and replays of select races
- Equibase: Replays of all races
| Race | Track | Time (EST) |
|---|---|---|
| Fountain of Youth Stakes | Gulfstream Park | 5:45 PM |
| Holy Bull Stakes | Gulfstream Park | 6:48 PM |
| Arcadia Stakes | Santa Anita Park | 7:30 PM |
| Santa Anita Handicap | Santa Anita Park | 8:13 PM |
| Risen Star Stakes | Fair Grounds | 5:55 PM |
| Rachel Alexandra Stakes | Fair Grounds | 7:02 PM |
| Southwest Stakes | Churchill Downs | 5:45 PM |
| Fair Grounds Oaks | Churchill Downs | 7:02 PM |
| Rebel Stakes | Oaklawn Park | 6:40 PM |
| Azeri Stakes | Oaklawn Park | 7:51 PM |
| Spiral Stakes | Turfway Park | 6:00 PM |
Well, there you have it, folks! That wraps up our insider scoop on this weekend’s horse racing action. We hope you found this article insightful and informative. Remember, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious newcomer, the thrill of horse racing never gets old. So, keep those binoculars handy, place your bets wisely, and we’ll catch up again soon with the latest updates on the tracks. Thanks for reading, and may your favorites finish strong!