Horse racing is the so-called <i>sport of kings</i>, and it certainly retains a cult following in the state of Kansas. The now-closed Eureka Downs used to host both thoroughbred and harness racing, before officially closing its doors in 2011.
Some legislators in the state are looking to reopen the iconic venue, but in the meantime, you can still wager on horse racing at the leading Kansas sportsbook. The Kansas.bet resource ranks and reviews the leading operators, including FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings.
In this post, we’ll look at the leading horse racing events in the US, while appraising the most popular wager types and markets.
A Brief History of Horse Racing in Kansas
The Eureka Downs track opened in 1903, but held its final race in 2010. At this time, it was revealed that the track would have to close, due to a lack of financial funding and support.
The main issue was a lack of parimutuel funds, which would have been diverted to the Fair Association or horse breeding program. Over time, the track was also unable to fund its expenses and salary payouts, and reluctantly closed its doors around 14 years ago.
In 2022, lobbying resulted in K.S.A. 74-8843 being passed by the Kansas Legislature. This made a provision to allow Historical Horse Racing Machines (HHR) into the state, which would in turn create new tax revenue for the KS Horse Breeding Development Fund.
A 3% tax levy will generate between $15 and $24 million annually, creating a scenario where tracks like Eureka Downs could be reopened in the future. This would also help to develop a generation of new runners in the state, with less than 100 horses thought to currently be active in KS
Horse Racing Bets and Markets
Horse racing is definitely poised to make a return in Kansas. Even now, however, those of you within the state can wager on races throughout the United States and across the globe. Sportsbooks such as FanDuel and DraftKings have their own dedicated racebooks, which are enable you to place the following bet types:
Win or Singles Bets
This is the most common and popular type of horse bet, and one that requires you to pick the winner of a particular race. Usually, straight win bets on single events unlock high and competitive odds, depending on the number of runners and grading of the race. The nature of the track can also impact odds and most likely winners.
Place Bets
With a place bet, you’re essentially backing a runner to finish in either of the first two places. This is lower risk than a win bet as it covers a larger number of potential outcomes, although the odds are typically much shorter. Place betting is ideal for risk-averse bettors or when wagering on highly competitive races.
Each-Way Bets
With each-way betting, you’ll split your stake amount evenly between win and place outcomes. Each-way bets usually pay out up to the first three places, but this number can be extended in larger or higher profile races. The place portion of your bet will usually payout at odds of 1.20 (1/5).
Accumulator Bets
This is a type of combination bet, which usually includes four or more selections in a single wager. The odds of each pick are multiplied to create a single, extended price, although all runners will have to win for the bet to pay out. You’ll have to pick winners from different races, so accumulators are usually most popular at large-scale festivals.
Exactas and Trifectas
An exact bet requires you to predict the top two finishers in a specific race (in the correct order). This can unlock lengthy odds but relatively low implied probability values. A trifecta operates according to the exact same principle, but in this instance, you’ll have to pick the first three finishers in order in a particular race. Obviously, both of these wager types carry significant risk.
Popular Horse Racing Events in the US
Although Kansas hasn’t hosted a horse race since 2010, there are plenty of other high-profile meetings held across the length and breadth of the US. Here’s our pick of the best and most prestigious events:
- The Kentucky Derby: The Kentucky Derby is the most iconic horse race in the US, and the first leg of the coveted Triple Crown. Open to three-year-old thoroughbreds, the race is run over 1 and ¼ miles at Churchill Downs in Louisville. This race was first contested in 1875. Interestingly, the highest ever odds of a winning horse were 92.00, when Donerail prevailed unexpectedly in 1913.<
- The Preakness Stakes: This is the second leg of the Triple Crown in the US, and usually takes place on the third Saturday in May at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Contested over 3/16 miles, the race was first run in 1873 and now carries a $2 million purse. Current trainer Bob Baffert is the most successful in the Preakness Stakes, fielding eight winners between 1997 and 2023.
- The Belmont Stakes: This is the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, and a Grade 1 race open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Nicknamed the Test of the Champion, it’s usually held in June at New York’s Belmont Park. The most famous race here took place in 1973, when Secretariat recorded the fastest ever winning time (2:24) and largest ever margin of victory (31 lengths from Twice a Prince).
