Understanding Horse Racing for Space Coast Residents
By Space Coast Daily // June 8, 2023
Living on the Space Coast affords you access to some of the greatest racecourses in the world. The Tampa Bay Downs is a short drive, with more tracks to the south.
Providing a great day out for all the family, it is an experience you should have at least once. Below, we give a guide to understanding racing for Space Coast Residents.
It’s a Global Sport
Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the world and a global phenomenon. From Japan to Ireland, each country has its own organizations, traditions, and big meetings. One of the biggest in the UK, Royal Ascot, is due to take place soon. Thousands of pounds are placed on Royal Ascot betting, with the best horses, jockeys, and trainers descending on the course that lies just to the west of London. The big race here is the Gold Cup, with the horses Coltrane and Eldar Eldarov favorites at 7/2.
If you want to get used to how racing works, then you can bet on horse racing online. Most providers will also show you the races through their platform, as well as providing odds. This allows you to start understanding the form, the types of races available, and when best to place a bet. You can often get better odds betting in advance.
There are Three Major US Races
The US has a host of top-flight races on its own soil, much like the United Kingdom has its Ascot Gold Cup and Grand National. However, three of these homegrown events are known as the Triple Crown. They are the Belmont Stakes, Preakness Stakes, and the Kentucky Derby.
Sir Barton was the first horse tow in all three of these, way back in 1919. Since then only 12 more have managed to claim the prize, with Justify being the last to claim it in 2018. The ninth winner, Secretariat, holds the record for a combined record time in the three races and holds the world record for the fastest time in the 1973 Belmont Stakes.
Florida Has Several Venues
The closest venue to the Space Coast is the Tampa Bay Downs. A multi-entertainment venue, it has regular race meetings that are often themed with bands and live music. As well as the racing itself, there is a casino alongside a golf range. This makes it extremely easy to plan a small break, coinciding with one of their horse events.
Gulfstream Park can also be visited and is located at Hallandale Beach. Once again. not only does it provide racing but is an all-in entertainment and shopping complex. As well as horse events, it has a casino and plenty of dining experiences. These are quite vast, ranging from Asian American fusion to seafood bars and grills.
These are not the only course within easy reach but are some of the most accessible. You may wish to go further afield and visit major events like the Kentucky Derby itself. Plan well as major meetings can get booked up and accommodation around the venue become scarce. The main objective is to enjoy your day out at the races!
