While Connecticut does not have any racetracks of their own, they are within an easy drive of some of the top Thoroughbred and harness racing facilities on the East Coast. Connecticut racing fans have the option of driving to their neighboring New York or Massachusetts and from there can continue to catch racing action from Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In addition, they have plenty of options to place wagers at numerous OTB sites throughout the state.
OTB Connecticut Betting Sites
Online racebooks make it easy for horse racing enthusiasts to get in on the action even if they do not have a track close by. With an online racebook, you can wager on races from across the country from the comforts of home through a computer or mobile device. Additionally, online racebooks often offer exclusive rebates, promotions and bonuses.
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Connecticut Race Tracks
Racing fans in Connecticut have a lot of options when it comes to driving to a nearby track. Belmont Park, located in Elmont, New York, is a brief drive from Connecticut which gives horseplayers access to some of the top trainers, jockeys, horses and races including the Belmont Stakes, the final jewel of the Triple Crown.
For Connecticut fans that wish to head elsewhere, they have the option of traveling to Boston, Massachusetts and visiting Suffolk Downs for one of their boutique racing festival weekends held throughout the summer.
Other locations include Maryland, the home of Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park. Pimlico is the home of the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. Though the trek to Maryland is longer than it is to Boston or New York, it is well worth the visit.
New Jersey offers fans two different options â top class Thoroughbred racing at Monmouth Park, home of the Haskell Invitational (G1) or the Meadowlands, the premier harness racing facility in the country that hosts the prestigious Hambletonian. There is also the option of Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania which continues to grow as a location for some of the top graded stakes races for three-year-olds in the fall.
Connecticut Horse Races
The two biggest races located the closest to Connecticut are the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park and the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. However, those two jewels of the Triple Crown are not the only major stakes races that Connecticut racing fans have access to. Year-round, there are top graded stakes races on the East Coast.
Fans can glimpse the potential Kentucky Derby winner at Aqueduct with the Wood Memorial in the Spring or take a trip to Aqueduct on Thanksgiving weekend to watch the prestigious Cigar Mile for older horses.
Belmont Park hosts two star-studded race meets and both their spring and fall seasons are packed with graded stakes races in every division including the $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational and Belmont Oaks. In the fall, the Jockey Club Gold Cup is a canât-miss event and is a great preview for the Breedersâ Cup Classic.
Off Track Betting in Connecticut
Rather than travel to other locales to take in Thoroughbred events, residents of Connecticut may enjoy the races by visiting one of many OTB locations sanctioned by the Gaming Division of the states' Department of Consumer Protection. More than 15 locations are available for players to visit throughout the year.