HorseRacingSchool.com

I know, I know, you hate, hate, hated school. Or maybe you didn't mind it all that much but you thought it was boring? Or you just couldn't pay attention for long periods of time without wanting to take a nap? That's not a problem here, because the thing is: this is the Internet, and you stumbled upon this site because you took the initiative to find out more information on a sport you enjoy, that sport of course being the exciting and fascinating world of thoroughbred horse racing. If you explore this site you will find a vast wealth of information, and just by reading the definitions of various horse racing terms like "furlong", "starting gate", "bit", "bridle", "gait", "conformation", just by watching the impressive free online video collection we offer that includes the 1973 Triple Crown Champion Secretariat's win in the Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes, and then the Belmont Stakes in dominating fashion, and then just by taking a look at our extensive collection of high-quality photographs of thoroughbreds in action on the track, in the field grazing, galloping in the pasture, or maybe even getting a bath, you will in effect be sending yourself to horse racing school. The great thing about sending yourself to school is that, if you are motivated to learn, which you obviously are since you found this site, you can learn at entirely your own pace. One day you can take a little time to better familiarize yourself with some of the not-so-clear terms you encounter, the next day you can watch and be amazed by one of our horse racing videos, and then finally the next you can browse our collection of photographs. Of course, that's merely a suggestion. You combine all three on the same day, and in any order you want. What's even better is that if you get tired, there won't be any teacher to tell you to stop you from napping!

Racetracks List - Belmont Race Park - Located just outside of New York City, Belmont Park is one of the most famous venues in racing today. Opened in 1905, it's the home of the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. Thoroughbreds also compete in the Jockey Club Gold Cup as well as the Metropolitan Handicap. It's 1.5 mile dirt track is the largest in North America. Secretariat's 31 length victory in the 1973 Belmont stakes still stands as a world-record, and a statue of the Triple Crown winner stands in the paddock. Turfway Park - Opened in 1959, this thoroughbred horse race track was the first track in the U.S. to install the synthetic Polytrack surface. The highlight of their season is the Kentucky Cup Day of Champions held in mid-September, which boasts a full day of Breeders' Cup prep races, highlighted by the Kentucky Cup Classic. Philadelphia Park - This race track opened in 1974. Originally called Keystone Racetrack, it's current name was adopted in 1984. Each Labor Day this track hosts the most prestigious thoroughbred horse race in the state, the Pennsylvania Derby. Famous horses such as Smarty Jones have run, and won, races at Philadelphia Park. Turf Paradise - Situated near Phoenix, Arizona, this track opened in early 1956. Home to several graded quarter horse races, this track is track is the home to the Arizona Breeders' Futurity, which features races for colts, geldings, and fillies. Monmouth Park - This track has a long and storied history. Opened and and then closed in the late 1800's because New Jersey outlawed betting on horse racing, it wasn't reopened until 1946 after the state legalized betting again. Located in Ocean Port, Monmouth hosts the Haskell Invitational Handicap each August. The Jersey Derby is also run at Monmouth. In 2007 the Breeders' Cup was hosted by Monmouth, with Horse of the Year Curlin winning the main event Breeders' Cup Classic. Calder Race Course - Located in Miami Gardens, Florida, this thoroughbred race track was where jockey Eddie Castro won a record 9 races in a single day in 2005. Many graded stakes races are held there, with the highlight being the Princess Rooney Handicap. Opened in May, 1971. Oaklawn Park - Opened in the early 1900s, this thoroughbred track hosted racing on and off again before finally settling into a regular schedule in 1934. The Grade 1 Arkansas Derby is the track's most prestigious event. Smarty Jones, Curlin, and many other champion horses have visited the winner's circle at Oaklawn Park. Santa Anita - The oldest thoroughbred racing track in California. Opened Christmas Day, 1934. Many big races held there, but the Santa Anita Handicap, or "Big Cap", is the most prestigious. First run in 1935 with a then-record 0,000 purse, 1938 Horse of the Year Seabiscuit returned from injury to win the 1940 Big Cap in record time.

Beginnings of the Triple Crown - In the early 1900s, the three races with the largest purses (money to be won) were the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont. Owners of great racehorses would enter their horses into each race; Sir Barton became the first horse to win all three races in 1919. The name “Triple Crown” entered our language in 1930, when Gallant Fox won all three races. He was only the second horse to claim this honor, and American sportswriter Charles Hatton coined the term. The media seized on the phrase, and the public became fascinated by the idea that a single horse could win all three races. Two years after Gallant Fox’s victory, the Derby was rescheduled to the first Saturday in May, a date which is still used today. This provided a schedule which allowed horses to compete in each race of the Triple Crown.