Churchill Downs
Dirt · Turf
Louisville, KY
Kentucky Derby (1st Sat May)
Opened 1875. Spring + fall meets. Dirt is the headline surface but the Matt Winn turf course hosts important grass stakes.
Track profile →Saratoga Race Course
Dirt · Turf
Saratoga Springs, NY
Travers Stakes (late Aug)
The summer destination, a 40-day meet from late July through Labor Day. Known for upsets — the 'graveyard of favorites' nickname is earned annually — and a stack of Grade 1 stakes anchored by the Whitney and the Travers.
Track profile →Del Mar
Dirt · Turf
Del Mar, CA
Pacific Classic (early Sep)
California summer meet 'Where the turf meets the surf.' Frank Sinatra used to sing about it. Hosts the Breeders' Cup on the host-track rotation.
Track profile →Belmont Park
Dirt · Turf
Elmont, NY
Belmont Stakes (early Jun)
Final leg of the Triple Crown. 1½-mile dirt main track is the longest of any Thoroughbred track in North America.
Track profile →Pimlico Race Course
Dirt · Turf
Baltimore, MD
Preakness Stakes (3rd Sat May)
Second leg of the Triple Crown. Aging facility with major renovation in motion. Tighter track than Churchill or Belmont; speed plays well.
Track profile →Santa Anita Park
Dirt · Turf
Arcadia, CA
Santa Anita Derby (early Apr)
Winter and spring meets in Southern California. The Derby prep season culminates in the Santa Anita Derby in early April, historically one of the strongest lead-ins to Churchill.
Track profile →Keeneland
Dirt · Turf
Lexington, KY
Blue Grass Stakes (early Apr)
Boutique meets in April and October. Only about 32 race days a year, which keeps the field quality unusually high. Recurring Breeders' Cup host.
Track profile →Gulfstream Park
Dirt · Turf
Hallandale Beach, FL
Florida Derby (late Mar)
Year-round racing. The Florida Derby is the major southeast Derby prep, with 24 Kentucky Derby winners coming through it since 1952.
Track profile →