There is few more popular horse racing locations in the United States than New Jersey. Due to the lenient gambling laws in the state, bets on racing action from across the world have become more popular in recent years.
Therefore, there is little surprise that the state gamblers typically look to wager on TwinSpires when it comes to making selections on major racing events throughout the calendar year such as the Breeders’ Cup and Kentucky Derby.
But, if you’re looking to get up close and personal with some of the leading thoroughbreds in North America, what are the leading tracks around the New Jersey region?
Monmouth Park
The most respected horse racing establishment in the New Jersey area comes in the form of Monmouth Park. The track, previously known as Long Branch Racetrack, has helped fans since 1870. It’s popularity immediately gained national attention, as it was labelled as the ‘Newmarket of America’.
Its reputation as one of the best tracks in the United States was realised in 2007, as Monmouth Park hosted the Breeders’ Cup for the first time. The event was headlined by the dominant win in the Classic by Curlin. Annually, the track hosts key races, with the most important coming in the form of the G1 Haskell Stakes.
The race was previously a handicap, but it is regarded as one of the most important preps ahead of the Breeders’ Cup Classic in this modern day. A high-quality roll of honor have won the race, which includes the most recent champion, Journalism.
Meadowlands Racetrack
Monmouth Park is by no means the only racetrack located in New Jersey. Meadowlands have quickly become one of the most beloved by locals, and it is commonly referred to by regulars as ‘The Big M’.
Meadowlands has welcomed fans to the track since September 1976, and it attracts racing fans all year round due to the mix of excellent action on track and the high-quality selection of bars and restaurants. It is most famous for being the home of the first leg of the Trotting Triple Crown, as the Hambletonian has been staged at the New Jersey track since 1981.
However, thoroughbred racing at the track has diminished yearly, with many of the previous big races moving to Monmouth Park. Among the races lost to the track include the G3 Cliff Hanger Stakes, G3 Pegasus Stakes, and the G3 Violet Handicap.
Atlantic City Race Course
Unfortunately, one of the most famous locations for horse racing in the region has been closed down for ten years. Atlantic City is a hot spot for gambling in the U.S, which ensured that it was a no-brainer for a location to host racing.
Atlantic City Race Course was opened back in 1946, and it was among the standout tracks in North America. Such was its standing, notable horses throughout the 50s and 60s would compete at the track, including Kelso, who won on his two-year-old debut at Atlantic City in September 1959.
During its time in operation, the course would host a number of prestigious stakes races, including the Broadwalk Handicap, Kelly-Olympic Handicap, and the Caesars International Handicap.
One of the biggest races on the calendar was the All American Handicap, which was run for the first time in 1946. However, the racecourse would ultimately close down for good in 2015 after it was purchased by Amazon to create a fulfilment center.
Belmont Park
Fortunately, there are high-quality racetracks located within driving distance of New Jersey. One of the standout options for many come in the form of Belmont Park. The track is regarded as one of the best in the world, and it is famously home to the final leg of the Triple Crown- the Belmont Stakes. Racing at Belmont Park typically runs between April and July, and September until October.
Its reputation for being one of the most important tracks in North America saw it labelled the ‘Championship Track’, as virtually every champion since the early 20th century have run at the New York course. One of the most famous races in the history of Belmont Park was run in 2004, as Smarty Jones produced an upset in the Belmont Stakes in front of 120,000 fans to deny Birdstone in his Triple Crown bid.
Throughout its history, Belmont Park has been able to constantly evolve, ensuring that there are few better locations to watch the sport in the United States.
The latest upgrades to the track will make it a state-of-the-art location to watch sport, and the course is set to formally open its doors once again in September 2026, just in time to host the 2026 Breeders’ Cup. That will see Belmont host the world-famous season-ending championships for the first time since 2005.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.