American Horse Racing Betting Markets - Bet on Horse Racing with the Best Tips & Odds Online

Horse racing in America today is extremely popular, captivating the attention of those who attend and wager online at Stake Sportsbook. In this guide, we will provide an overview of the biggest horse racing events in the Horse Racing Calendar and unravel the sport’s rich history.

What is Horse Racing Betting

History of Horse Racing

Horse racing is one of the most ancient of all sports, pitting two or more horses against each other in a race, usually with jockeys riding each horse and controlling them. While many sports have evolved new rules and ideas over time, horse racing has largely remained unchanged since it was practised in ancient societies, including Ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon, Arabia and Egypt. The sport spread across the world over the centuries, and later became popular with British royalty, leading to the title of Sport of Kings.

Horse racing in the United States dates back to 1665, which was the date that the Newmarket Course was established in Long Island, New York. In 1868, the American Stud Book was started, which helped to start organised thoroughbred racing in the US. By 1890, more than 300 tracks were operating in the country, and the American Jockey Club was formed in 1894. However, many states banned sports betting in the early 20th century, which led to a downturn in the popularity of the sport. Pari-mutuel wagering was introduced in 1908, helping to turn the racing industry around.

Types of Racing

There are many different types of horse racing in the US, with different rules and tracks used:

• Flat racing - This is a standard race between two points around either a straight or oval track. The race track can be various lengths and consist of different surfaces, including dirt, turf and synthetic materials.

• Jump racing - Also known as Steeplechasing or National Hunt racing, this form of racing involves obstacles along the track that horses must jump over.

• Harness racing - Similar to the ancient sport of chariot racing, drivers in a type of cart known as a sulky are pulled by horses along the track.

• Endurance racing - These races involve extreme distances, ranging from 25 to 100 miles.

Horse Racing Rules and Betting

The exact rules of a race will depend on the type of race. However, regardless of race or type, the first horse to cross the finish line with its nose is the winner. Modern technology allows for races to be determined by a photo finish if the call is too close for the naked eye.

Races typically start with each horse inside a starting stall or behind a gate, which is then opened at the start. However, if horses break away prematurely, a false start may be declared, and the race will be restarted.

During the race, jockeys, who wear unique patterns and colours for easy identification, must adhere to the rules on safe riding. Intentionally interfering with another horse may lead to a disqualification. If a jockey is unseated during the race, their horse cannot be declared the winner. Whips are sometimes used, but there are strict regulations on the use of these, including how many times a jockey can strike their horse during the race.

Betting is a major feature of horse racing, with most racing tracks offering odds on every race. Of course, you can also bet on horse racing online here at Stake, with the odds displayed both pre-race and live. When selecting your bets, make sure you use the odds format that you prefer. American, decimal and fractional odds are available to use at Stake. Take a look at our guide on how to read odds before you bet.

Most Popular 2026 Horse Racing Events in the US

In the US, the most lucrative race days revolve around the Triple Crown series, and there are plenty of betting opportunities. There’s also the Breeders’ Cup World Championships to look forward to. We’ve listed some of the best live horse races and highlighted when they will be staged in 2026:

• Santa Anita Handicap - 7 March, 2026

• Kentucky Derby - 2 May, 2026

• Preakness Stakes - 16 May, 2026

• Belmont Stakes - 6 June, 2026

• Arlington Million - 8 August, 2026

• Breeders’ Cup - 30-31 October, 2026

Check out our guide to the biggest horse racing events for details on more races, including horse races around the world like Royal Ascot, the Grand National and Cheltenham Festival.

Leading Jockeys & Race Horses in US Racing

The leading jockeys in the US are all brimming with talent. Although they may have had some luck along the way, they have been able to churn out winners everywhere, including Parx Racing and the Longines Kentucky Oaks. The following tables illustrate jockey statistics and race horses, including 2025 earnings:

Racehorses

2025 Recap

Sovereignty won both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 2025. However, it missed out on the Triple Crown, as its owners opted to rest it for the Belmont Stakes. Journalism was declared the winner of the Preakness Stakes after being beaten by Sovereignty in the other 2 races of the Triple Crown.

Meanwhile, Forever Young was the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, while other winners at the event included Ethical Diamond, Scylla and Notable Speech.

How to Bet on American Horse Racing & Popular US Betting Options

It’s pretty simple to start betting on horse racing at Stake. Our horse race betting guide provides more details, and our ultimate sports betting guide is an excellent resource if you’re a beginner. Our horse racing glossary is also worth checking out. Alternatively, you can follow these steps to get started:

1. Log in and check that you have sufficient balance to bet with.

2. Search for the horse or event you want to bet on, or use the menu to look up Racing > Horse Racing and find all live and upcoming events.

3. Select any event to see the full range of races and betting options.

4. Choose a bet to add to your bet slip, then enter your stake and confirm to place.

There are lots of ways to bet on horse races at Stake. Some of the most popular betting markets include:

• Win Bets - A straight-up bet where you just have to predict which horse you think will win the race. This is just like moneyline betting.

• Place Bets - Offering a bit more security than a single or win bet, the place bet will entail wagering on the horse that will finish in first or second, offering two opportunities to win.

• Each-way bet - A dual bet featuring two components, where you have your money wagered on a horse to win or place. Learn more about each way vs place bets over on our blog and find out the best ways to place each bet type.

• Exacta - This requires picking the first two runners to cross the line, and the two horses must finish first or second.

• Trifecta - Like the Exacta, you can bet this as a straight trifecta 1-2-3. As long as they finish in that order, you will land a winner.

• Flexi Betting: With a flexi bet, you can place a combination of selections within an exotic bet for a smaller outlay, reducing the risk.

Horse Racing Betting Strategies & Tips

1. Take stats into consideration - Look at past stats before diving in and placing a wager on events in the US calendar tomorrow. Check the form of the horses and jockeys, as well as the winning history of the trainers responsible for each horse.

2. Consider track conditions - The conditions of the track, including the weather and track surface type, can make a big difference in the performance of each horse. Look at the history of the horses in similar conditions before you bet.

3. Be selective and look for value in the betting odds - Don’t just bet on every race, look for horses that offer value, either because you believe they’re mispriced based on their form or because you have a good understanding of the field.

4. Always define a budget - Be careful when bankrolling your account and use our gambling calculator to wager within your means.

5. Adjust during cold streaks - Be prepared to adjust accordingly when things go against you. This applies to all types of betting methods used, even those not horse racing specific, such as handicap betting or multi bet builders.

For more information on the international racing scene, you can also find out more about betting on today's races in regions like Australia & New Zealand, Asia and Europe.

For expert tips and predictions, hear from racing legend and Stake partner, Frankie Dettori! Keep your eyes peeled for updates and exclusive promotions from the World's Greatest Jockey.

Deposit & Withdrawal Methods for Horse Racing Betting on Stake.com

Deposit

1. Log in to your Stake.com account using your password or secure passkey .

2. Check your current balance, then select the deposit option and choose any of the supported payment methods and local currencies, including Canadian Dollars, Turkish Lira, Vietnamese Dong, Argentine Pesos, Chilean Pesos, Mexican Pesos, USD in Ecuador, Indian Rupees, and more.

3. You can deposit and bet with crypto too. Stake supports a range of popular cryptocurrencies such as BTC, ETH, USDT, EOS, DOGE, LTC, TRX, and SOL.

4. If you’re depositing crypto , copy the wallet address and send from your wallet or a trusted exchange. You can also buy crypto using a platform like Mesh, MoonPay or Swapped.com before transferring it.

5. Once your funds arrive, you can store them safely in the Stake vault and swap between supported cryptocurrencies .

Withdraw

1. Log in to your Stake account and open your wallet.

2. Select the option to withdraw, then choose any of the available payment methods.

3. Enter your details if needed, and select the correct network if you’re withdrawing crypto.

4. Choose how much you want to withdraw, then confirm your payment after double-checking your details.

If you have any issues or questions while making payments at Stake, the help centre offers guidance and resources. You can also get in touch with our customer support team at any time to resolve your problem.

Stake Sportsbook Promotions, VIP Club & Responsible Betting

While betting on horse racing at Stake, you can also make the most of our sports betting promotions, including the exclusive VIP Club. As you place bets, you’ll earn points towards levelling up your account, with higher levels unlocking better rewards. Check out the VIP FAQ page to learn how you can claim regular rakeback, reload bonuses and even your own VIP host.

Betting on horse racing can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to be responsible. Our Stake Smart page offers guidelines, tools and resources to help you stay in control and bet responsibly.