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Best Horse Racing Tracks Near Brooklyn, NY

New York has a rich history in horse racing, including many racing tracks scattered across the state near Brooklyn. 
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Even though horse racing originates in the United Kingdom, the sport has quite a rich history in the United States bringing hundreds of years of tradition and heritage. With that said, there are some impressive horse racing tracks that managed to survive for centuries and are still up and running.

New York is one of the states with a rich history in horse racing. Therefore, we can expect many tracks scattered across the state that are near Brooklyn. 

In other words, if you are a horse racing enthusiast and plan to travel to New York, there is plenty of horse racing facilities that you can visit. 

Top Tracks to Visit Near Brooklyn NY

Belmont Park

This is one of the most popular located in Elmont, New York, and has a rich history dating back to 1905. Now it is operated by the non-profit New York Racing Association, and it is home to some impressive horse racing events.

In thoroughbred racing history, every Triple Crown winner passed the 1 ½ -mile test over the dirt at Belmont. Many dreams have faded on the backstretch at Belmont.

This is the last leg of the Triple Crown races and often the most challenging one due to the length of the track. You can find more info about the Belmont Stakes here: https://www.twinspires.com/liveracing 

Aqueduct Racetrack

South Ozone Park and Jamaica neighborhoods in Queens, New York City, are home to Aqueduct Racetrack, a Thoroughbred horse racing facility, and a casino.

The Aqueduct is the only racetrack located within New York City limits. Its racing meets are usually from late October/early November through April. The Aqueduct racetrack can be located adjacent to a casino called Resorts World in New York City.

There are three tracks at Aqueduct and it has been open since 1894. It is the only thoroughbred track within the city limits of New York City.

Aqueduct's main track is 1 1/8.5 miles long. An inner dirt track is one mile long and a turf track is 7/8 mile long.

Yonkers Raceway

The Yonkers Raceway & Empire City Casino, originally known as Empire City Race Track, was founded in 1899 as the Empire City Race Track. It is a standardbred harness racing dirt track and slot racino located near the New York City border in Yonkers, New York. 

MGM Resorts International owns and operates it.

Popular Races at Yonkers Raceway:

  • George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series
  • Blue Chip Matchmaker
  • Art Rooney Pace
  • Lawrence B. Sheppard Pace
  • Lismore Pace

Finger Lakes Racetrack

The one-mile track at Finger Lakes in Farmington, Western New York, has been offering thoroughbred racing since 1962.

Additionally, the track has an on-site casino, the Finger Lakes Gaming Center, which opened in 2004 after a $10.5 million upgrade.

Founded in 1962, the Finger Lakes Racetrack began racing thoroughbred horses in 1962. [2] Over the years, the race track has seen both successful and near-bankrupt seasons. 

A number of famous jockeys have ridden at Finger Lakes, including Angel Cordero, Pat Day, Julie Krone, and Bill Shoemaker

Monticello Raceway

This 1/2 mile oval racetrack runs standardbred horse races in the afternoons year-round and is nicknamed "The Mighty M". 

The Monticello Raceway dates back to 1958 and is located in Sullivan County in the Catskill Mountains, a popular vacation destination in New York.

Additionally, Monticello has a legal sportsbook at Resorts World Catskills casino, Sportsbook 360.

Final Words

As you can see, there are plenty of horse racing tracks scattered across New York that are really close to Brooklyn. Not all of them have the same pedigree of racing or popular races that attract thousands of visitors, but for a casual weekend out on the tracks, they are perfect.

New York has quite a rich horse racing community, and the sport will continue to evolve bringing new investments that will make horse racing even more popular in the area.