The Top 15 Horse Racing Events in the U.S. that Every Fan Should Experience

Organized horse racing has a history in the United States going back hundreds of years. Not even baseball has as long a history in American sports as horse racing. That's why, even though many people don't follow racing avidly, the top races in the U.S. still generate huge audiences in person and on TV.

A common misconception is that a race only gains a place at the top of the American horse racing calendar if it has a massive prize purse. The culture, tradition, history, atmosphere, spectator experience, quality of competition, and more contribute to a race's importance.

The biggest horse races in America happen all over the country, too. People know about the Triple Crown races in Kentucky, Maryland, and New York. But there are huge races taking place in the south, out west, and even right here in Minnesota at Canterbury Park.

So let's take a look at 15 major horse racing events in America, break down why they have such great reputations, and see how our own local track fits into that elite company. We'll also look at how Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar can make race day a great day — whether a top 15 race is happening that day or not.

Kentucky Derby: Churchill Downs, Kentucky

Anyone who has heard even a little about horse racing in America knows that the Triple Crown races are the most famous horse races in the United States. And of the jewels in the Triple Crown, none shine as brightly as the Derby.

The Kentucky Derby is the most recognizable race in America. It's on national television every year. The shots of the spectacular fashion in the stands (especially the ladies' hats), the traditional mint juleps, the blanket of roses that is draped over the winning horse… There's nothing quite like the pageantry of Louisville's biggest race day.

Attending the Derby itself can be challenging. Tickets are expensive and sell out fast, and lodging needs to be secured well in advance. Better to experience the Derby in an exciting atmosphere like Boardwalk, where the food is great and horse racing is always front and center.

Breeders' Cup World Championships: Rotating Locations

Unlike many other races on this list, the World Championships is a full weekend affair. There are multiple races on dirt tracks and on turf. You get to see the best three-year-olds and older in their best, late-season form.

You also get international participation, which is not the case for every major American race. The whole weekend culminates in the Breeders' Cup Classic. It doesn't have the history of many other events, but it makes up for that in the high stakes of a massive pool of prize money.

Another great aspect of the Breeders' Cup is that the location changes every year. If you attend year after year, you get to experience the different racing cultures and atmospheres that exist across America. 

Preakness Stakes: Pimlico Race Course, Maryland

The second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes is a test of recovery and consistency. That's because it follows very closely after the Kentucky Derby and features much of the same field of horses.

When the Derby winner lines up to run, the intensity on the track jumps up exponentially. And the Maryland traditions on race day make everything a joy to experience. A blanket of Black-Eyed Susans drapes the winner as a crowd dressed to the nines in bright pastels cheers on the action.

Belmont Stakes: Belmont Park, New York

The Belmont Stakes has earned a reputation as the true "Test of the Champion." Of all the Triple Crown races, it has the longest distance. That distance is the biggest reason that so few horses have managed to complete the trifecta of wins required to take the Triple Crown. It requires a very different approach.

The Belmont has looked a little different in recent years as Belmont Park has been undergoing renovations. But no matter where the race takes place, you get a full helping of New York class as you watch to see if any horse will come close to Secretariat's incredible, record-setting run from 1973.

Travers Stakes: Saratoga Race Course, New York

Saratoga Race Course is one of the best racetracks in America. More than one race on this list takes place there and it served as a temporary home to the Belmont Stakes during park renovations. 

The Travers Stakes is a race that comes in on the calendar after the Triple Crown has wrapped up. The field for the race is made up of Triple Crown veterans and three-year-olds that have been emerging in other races throughout the summer.

Huge crowds will gather in Saratoga to watch everything from early morning practices to the headlining race. There is an awful lot of history and atmosphere permeating Saratoga Race Course and people love going there and being a part of the magic.

Pegasus World Cup: Gulfstream Park, Florida

The Pegasus World Cup is unique out of all the races we've looked at so far because it doesn't happen in the summer. People flock to South Florida in January to experience this early season test of potential contenders.

Gulfstream Park is much more modern than other famous racetracks. That isn't a bad thing, though! Entertainment, dining, hospitality, and accessibility for more casual racing fans make Gulfstream a great destination for more than just the raceday. 

Whitney Stakes: Saratoga Race Course, New York

The Whitney Stakes is a showcase for older horses in the lead up to the Breeders' Cup. This race on a dirt track is a fan-favorite because it comes as part of Saratoga's summer programming and can be enjoyed as part of a large, weekend experience.

Many Whitney Stakes attendees will take the opportunity to make a stop into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as part of their trip. It's a great way to really immerse yourself in the history and grandeur of the Saratoga Race Course.

Pacific Classic: Del Mar Racetrack, California

So far, our look at the top horse races in the U.S. has had a distinctly East Coast slant, but that ends with our look at the Pacific Classic. The fan experience here is very different from what you get in Upstate New York or Maryland. The atmosphere has been described as where the turf meets the surf.

One of the premier thoroughbred racing events in the world, let alone the country, the Pacific Classic is another showcase of some of the older horses that will be making their pushes toward Breeders' Cup glory. It is a key step for regional teams that are looking to make their mark in late-season tournaments.

Haskell Stakes: Monmouth Park, New Jersey

What many newer or more casual racing fans don't realize at first is that the Triple Crown races take place pretty early in the racing season. There is a whole season that comes after they wrap up. The Haskell Stakes is a major part of that post-Crown part of the season.

When the field of three-year-olds come to Monmouth Park, you get a mix of Triple Crown racers looking to establish their positions and up-and-coming horses that want to carve out their own places leading up to the late-season championships. And for the spectators, the Haskell Stakes offers people the chance to experience the charms of the Jersey Shore and Atlantic Ocean in the summertime. 

Santa Anita Handicap: Santa Anita Park, California

Called "The Big 'Cap," the Santa Anita Handicap has been an incredible proving ground for established horses since 1935. Seabiscuit's win in 1940 helped establish Santa Anita as a big deal. Important horses still run The 'Cap, including Locked and Newgate, two now-retired thoroughbred champions who won in 2025 and '24, respectively.

The racetrack is nestled in a beautiful Southern California setting, with the San Gabriel Mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop. Santa Anita Park features unique architecture with excellent paddock viewing areas for people who love to see the horses gather and get prepped for their big races.

Arkansas Derby: Oaklawn Park, Arkansas

Each year, Kentucky Derby prep races help trainers and owners figure out which of their horses is ready for the big spotlight. The Arkansas Derby is arguably the most important prep race of the year.

The winner and runner-up of the Arkansas Derby are almost guaranteed to be in the field for that year's Kentucky Derby. The stakes are high for the racers, and the energy of the crowd matches those stakes. As a visitor to Arkansas for the Derby, you can also take the time to hit Hot Springs National Park to help relax after a big day watching the races.

Florida Derby: Gulfstream Park, Florida

An early stop on the road to Kentucky, the Florida Derby brings racing fans back to Gulfstream Park for an early spring race. The Florida Derby has a history of highlighting significant three-year-old racers as they make their names heading toward the Triple Crown.

Louisiana Derby: Fair Grounds, Louisiana

Another part of the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby, the Louisiana Derby has a longer distance than many of its counterparts. Horses in the Louisiana Derby can show that they have the potential to make a mark not just in Kentucky or at the Preakness, but at the Belmont Stakes as well. Add that to the legendary New Orleans food and culture you can experience while you are there, and the Louisiana Derby is a great race to see live.

All American Futurity: Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico

Thoroughbred racing is not the only kind of racing that matters in America. Quarter horse racing events show off the skills of up-and-coming two-year-olds. These races have shorter lengths, meaning the horses can really explode out of the gates and run like the wind. 

The Futurity also draws people out to New Mexico as part of a Labor Day horse racing tradition. It is a more informal atmosphere and setting than you'd see at some of the events out east and that's a good thing. 

Canterbury Derby, Canterbury Park, Minnesota

Every year, the Canterbury Derby gives spectators an incredible example of top-tier turf racing. A one mile race, the Canterbury Derby is part of the Northern Stars Turf Festival. Other events that race fans will know about in that festival include the Lady Canterbury Stakes and Curtis Sampson Oaks.

The History of Shakopee's Own Derby

While the Derby has long been Canterbury Park horse racing's biggest event of the year, it used to have a different name. From the early 1990's until a few years ago, the event was called the Mystic Lake Derby as part of a partnership with the local Mdewakanton Sioux community (who own and operate Mystic Lake Casino).

The changes in that partnership allowed Canterbury Park to take a greater ownership stake in what is now the Canterbury Derby. It remains the crown jewel of Canterbury's racing season, but now has a name that reflects its home track.

Why This Race Belongs on a List of Top Horse Races in the U.S.

It isn't just local bias that has us placing the Canterbury Derby on a list of 15 top racing events in America. This race is one of the biggest turf races in the country and is an incredible showcase of Minnesota's racing culture. 

Ours is a culture that isn't quite as flashy as that in Kentucky or on the coasts, but still prioritizes race day experience, great hospitality, fantastic food, and a small-town feel without sacrificing access to big-city excitement.

Plan Ahead for Your Trip to Shakopee

Because the Canterbury Derby is such an important part of the park's horse racing season, it is important to get your lodging and travel planned out ahead of time. The date of the race changes every year, so check Canterbury Park's calendar.

If you are flying in, Shakopee's location just outside Minneapolis makes it easy to get to. The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is a major transportation hub, so travel to the park from anywhere in the country is relatively simple.

Experience Race Day at Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar

No matter if you are a local or an out-of-town visitor, making Boardwalk a part of your race day is a must. Our door is literally steps away from the entrance to Canterbury Park and our patio looks directly onto the track.

Where else can you watch a race like the Canterbury Derby (literally one of the top horse races in the U.S.) while enjoying an incredible entree, excellent app, or perfectly crafted cocktail? On major race days, be sure to call in ahead of time to reserve your spot so you don't miss out.

And remember, the horse racing season doesn't end in August. Early September at Canterbury Park means Quarter Horse racing. Three huge quarter races will take center stage and you can catch all the action at Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar.