Biggest Horse Racing Events In Summer 2021
After a scrambled 2020 caused by the coronavirus, we had an amazing first half of 2021. It seems like most sporting events including horse racing are reborn and returning back to normal schedule. This is good news for all horse racing fans, especially for bettors looking for the next winning ticket.
This year, so far, we had some amazing races like the Kentucky Derby, Pegasus World Cup Invitational, and Dubai World Cup. But the excitement doesn’t stop here as we have some popular fixtures to be excited about this summer.
Let’s go through the list of the best horse racing events that are lined up for the summer of 2021.
Belmont Oaks (July 3)
This is a 2000m race in Western Ausutraliawith a prize purse of $750,000 and it is for three-year-old or more.
Additionally, the Belmont Oaks is run under strict set weight conditions, so not every horse can participate.
Belmont Oaks runs on a similar concept to the Breeders Cup where you have to win to enter the race. This event became a Grade I race back in 1999, and since then its popularity has significantly increased.
Belmont Derby Invitational (July 10)
This is another exciting horsing event with rich history back to 1929 with a prize purse of $6,000. Since then, the race evolved into a major horse racing event attracting many fans and jockeys who want to participate.
The Belmont Derby Invitational now has a generous $1 million prize purse. This is a 1 ¼ mile race that shares many similarities with the Kentucky Derby, which is no coincidence.
With that said, you can expect an exciting horse racing event that is perfect to bet on.
Haskell Invitational Stakes (July 18)
This horse racing event gains more attention year after year and there is a good reason for that. The Haskell Invitational is an American Grade I horse race for thoroughbred horses.
The race takes place in Monmouth Park Racetrack, New Jersey, the United States with a prize purse of $1 million. To know more about horse racing in New Jersey click here: https://www.twinspires.com/states/new-jersey
The race has a rich history dating back to 1968, where the first 20 years the race was Handicap, after being converted to stakes in 1988.
This event is invitation-only stakes for three-year-olds and it is definitely a race to be excited about.
Pacific Classic Stakes (August 21)
Now move on to Del Mar Racetrack in California to the Pacific Classic Stakes which is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older. This is a one and one-quarter-mile dirt track and one of the most exciting races of this summer.
The Pacific Classic Stakes has a prize purse of $750,000 this year and it is scheduled for August 21.
Travers Stakes (August 28)
Travers Stakes is another American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in New York.Most people are surprised to find out that the Travers Stakes is the third-ranked race for American three-year-olds behind Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
The race is first held in 1864 and it is named after William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. The 152nd race this year is scheduled for August 28 and it is a great way to wrap up the summer.
The Travers Stakes offered a $1 million prize purse up to 2014 after it was increased to $1,250,000. There was one time in 2015 when the prize purse was $1.6 million but that was only because of the presence of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. After that, they decreased it back to the sum from 2014.
Final Words
These are some of the most exciting and biggest horse races of this summer. There are many smaller races just to fuel your passion this summer just like Bing Crosby, Diana Stakes, Whitney Handicap, and Arlington Million.
It is very important to follow all the races, especially if you plan on betting just because it can give you valuable information for the upcoming major events like the Melbourne Cup.