A new year has begun which means millions of people have made resolutions to try something different in 2023. Have you ever considered going to a major horse racing festival and experiencing the excitement of a race weekend? There’s a lot more to a festival than downloading the best horse racing betting apps and hoping to make some money.
Many people who frequent the racetrack do not place bets; they are there to soak up the incredible atmosphere, dress up and marvel at the fantastic horses on display.
North America has dozens of horse races throughout the calendar year. However, three of these festivals stand out from the crowd, not least because they make up the coveted Triple Crown of racing. The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes and The Belmont Stakes are the trio of horse racing festivals you must experience at least once in your life. Why not start in 2023?
Only three horses have become champions of the Triple Crown, that is, triumph at each of the aforementioned meetings. Seattle Slew, a famous horse outside of horse racing circles, achieved the impressive goal in 1977. Since 1978, only two horses have won the Triple Crown: American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018.
The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby always takes place on the first Saturday in May and is the crown jewel of the two-week Kentucky Derby Festival. First held in 1875 and every year since without interruption, the Kentucky Derby is often touted as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sport” because that is how long the thrilling race lasts. Some call the Kentucky Derby “The Run for the Roses” because a lush blanket of 554 red roses is awarded to the winner.
Racing aside, the Kentucky Derby is best known for the often extravagant fashions of female spectators. Hats, in particular, are attracting attention at the Kentucky Derby. They range from subtle and elegant pieces to eccentric pieces. Churchill Downs is jam-packed with fashionistas throughout the festival, especially on Debry’s Day.
Kentucky Derby tickets start at around $100, but celebrities often purchase lavish corporate hospitality packages that cost significantly more.
The stakes of Preakness
The Preakness Stakes takes place on the third Saturday in May, which is also Armed Forces Day. The Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland is where the race takes place. This thrilling race was first held in 1873, two years before the Kentucky Derby.
The Preakness Stakes have a party atmosphere, especially in the infield, which is general admission. InfieldFest takes place in the infield and sees performances from various musical acts.
Attendances of over 100,000 are commonplace, with most racegoers dressing up in cocktail dresses, suits and, of course, extravagant hats. The Preakness Stakes is a sight to behold.
The Belmont Stake
You have to go to Belmont Park in Elmont, New York on the first or second Saturday in June (June 11, 2023) if you want a taste of the Belmont Stakes fun. The Belmont Stakes traditionally take place five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes.
Millions watch the television broadcast of the Belmont Stakes, but the meeting is best experienced at the racecourse. A strict dress code encourages race fans to wear their best attire. No jeans are allowed on weekends and shorts are not allowed at any time. As with the other two Triple Crown races, the focus tends to be on the lavish hats and jaw-dropping fashions sported by the participants.