Horse Racing Betting

Comparing racebook apps - finding the top options

Like sportsbooks, each racebook offers different strengths and weaknesses for bettors to sift through. We always recommend creating multiple racebook accounts for several reasons, the biggest being the ability to price-shop for different races to ensure the best possible price.

Multiple brand-name sportsbooks offer racebooks, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars. Aside from them, various racebooks do not have a brother in the sportsbook world, like TwinSpires. Some of the best ways to sort through these apps and find the right one include considering which ones offer the best lines, promotions, payout times, streaming options, and overall quality. What a customer is looking for may vary based on how long they have been betting, but regardless of their experience, the quality of the lines always matters.

With an app like FanDuel Racing, new customers receive a strong welcome bonus promo to get started. Additionally, they gain access to a comprehensive product that offers a large number of races and customizable settings. Now, with Twinspires, customers are also getting solid promotions, but new bettors can also find a lot of helpful betting information to guide them, while experienced bettors can find a great range of betting markets.

Legal horse race betting apps reviewed

Finding a trustworthy horse racing betting app in the US isn’t always straightforward. Each legal platform has its own strengths, limitations, and fine print that can materially affect how much value bettors actually get. Our expert-written reviews cut through the noise by focusing on what truly matters: pricing, bet types, usability, payouts, promotions, and reliability. No hype, no filler—just clear, fact-based evaluations of licensed horse racing apps that operate legally in the United States.

Every verdict on this page is built for efficiency and transparency. We test the racebook apps ourselves, highlight real pros and cons, and explain who each platform is best suited for—whether you’re a casual player, a serious horseplayer, or someone looking for the best bonuses and wagering tools. If you want quick, honest insight that saves time, protects your bankroll, and helps you bet smarter, these reviews are designed to do exactly that.

The best rated horse racing betting apps in the US - IOS & Android (February 2026)

App Store

Google Play Store

Horse race betting app-related review and download data as of February 4, 2026.

Betting on horse races - how to do it?

Betting on horse racing can be as simple or complicated as you want to make it. There are numerous betting markets for each race, making the possibilities endless. One of the first markets you’ll see is “Win-Place-Show,” meaning you can bet a horse to win, place (finish second), or show (finish third). Within this marker, a bettor can also wager on “Across the Board,” which means that as long as the horse they bet on finishes third or higher, they have won their bet.

Now, if a bettor wants to get more specific, they can head to the exacta, trifecta, superfecta, and box market for each of those bet types. An exacta means a bettor is wagering on two horses to finish in first and second exactly; a trifecta offers a big payout, but it means a bettor is wagering on three horses to finish exactly in first, second, and third. A superfecta may be the most challenging bet to hit in all of horse racing, as a bettor is placing a bet on four horses to finish exactly in first, second, third, and fourth.

Within each of the aforementioned markets, bettors can opt for the box market, which means the order does not matter as long as the horses in the bet finish in position. Some betting markets can even include multiple races, and these markets are called the “Pick three, four, or five.”

These markets require the bettor to select the winner of multiple races in a row, depending on which number they pick (three, four, or five). The nice part about this market is that bettors can select multiple horses to win for each race, and while that may bring up the amount a bettor has to stake, it also provides them with some coverage. This market has a 50-cent base, while the other markets mentioned have a $2 base. However, bettors can wager more if they choose to.

Legality of horse race wagering in the US

Much like sports betting, horse race betting has taken some time to expand into different states. As of February 2026, 40 states have a legal pari-mutuel horse betting system. Kentucky was the first state to legalize pari-mutuel horse betting, doing so in 1906.

The majority of the 40 states with pari-mutuel horse racing have racetracks within the state where customers can place wagers. States without racetracks offer OTB simulcasts, which are physical betting facilities that allow customers to watch and bet on horse races held in the United States. As for mobile horse racing, 37 states permit legal mobile racebooks.

Some states across the US offer legal OTB and pari-mutuel wagering, but it is heavily restricted and may be limited to in-state races, limiting the opportunity to bet on Triple Crown events. Other states, such as Georgia and South Carolina, which have no legal horse racing of any kind, have consistently attempted to pass a bill that would legalize horse race betting.

Still, many states that are adamantly opposed to sports betting apps and gambling in general will not give in to horse racing betting, despite states with legal horse racing reporting a positive economic impact.

Latest Updates from the US horse racing scene

• February 11, 2026: Texas racing regulators swiftly order TwinSpires to halt online betting for state residents days after the platform quietly returned to the market. Officials say the service violated state rules by accepting remote wagers outside licensed racetracks. Authorities warned of steep fines, license risks, and possible criminal exposure if operations continue, marking another clash over Texas' strict online wagering limits.

• January 21, 2026: Thoroughbred owner Mike Repole prepares a major lawsuit that could challenge the leadership of U.S. horse racing. He has warned top groups such as The Jockey Club, Breeders’ Cup, and NTRA to preserve records in anticipation of possible legal action. Repole says power is too concentrated, stifling reform as racing faces shrinking foal numbers, track closures, and fading public interest.

• January 20, 2026: Hawthorne Race Course halts harness racing for a third weekend as a banking freeze leaves more than $1 million in prize money unpaid. State officials say the track’s main account was locked, causing checks to bounce, including one to the state that was later repaid. Horsemen report hundreds of thousands in bad checks, with much of the missing money tied to November’s “Night of Champions” races.

• January 19, 2026: California shuts down Santa Anita's new betting kiosks almost immediately, seizing 26 machines just two days after launch. The devices let players make $1 multi-race picks through a slot-style screen. Track officials said the system was legal pari-mutuel wagering, but state authorities disagreed. After tribal gaming groups objected, police and state agents unplugged and removed the machines following Saturday’s races.

• January 7, 2026: A federal court ends the fight between Churchill Downs and Michigan regulators by permanently allowing TwinSpires to keep taking bets in the state. The judge ruled Michigan couldn’t block the platform for lacking a local racetrack partner, siding with federal commerce rules over state limits. The decision follows Michigan’s failed attempt in 2025 to shut TwinSpires after its in-state partnership collapsed.

Top horse race events in the US

Horse racing naturally sees a lot of wagers from online betting apps, but the top horse racing events tend to see substantial in-person attendance. Out of all events, the Triple Crown events tend to draw huge crowds each and every year. These Triple Crown races include the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Preakness Stakes.

On average, the Kentucky Derby draws over 150,000 attendees, and in its history, the largest attendance was 170,513. As for the Preakness, the average attendance is slightly over 130,000, but in 2017, the record was broken with 140,237. Lastly, the Belmont Stakes is held on a smaller course, so although the average attendance is under 100,000, the race's attendance record is 120,139.

Of course, the Triple Crown races aren’t the only horse racing events that draw a noteworthy crowd. For example, the Breeders' Cup usually sees over 50,000 attendees on the first day and over 30,000 attendees on the second day. The second-day attendance record was set in 2016, when 45,673 people gathered to place bets on the final day of the event.

Kentucky Derby

When asked to pick the first thing that comes to mind in relation to horse racing, a large majority of people will respond with “Kentucky Derby.” Held every year except two since 1875 at the legendary Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby has become known for interesting fashion choices and people coming together to pull for the horse they bet on.

This race is also known as the “Run for the Roses,” as the winning horse gets a blanket of roses put over them after the race. In order to qualify for this historic race, horses must garner points through prep races, and the horses with the 20 most points from those races get the chance to participate in the most exciting two minutes in sports.

The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby (2026) is set to take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

151st Kentucky Derby (2025) results

The Belmont Stakes

There are several reasons why the Belmont Stakes is considered one of the most prestigious races in the sport. Not only is this race held at Belmont Park in New York, but it has been in existence since 1867. Aside from the rich history and location, the Belmont Stakes is also the final leg of the Triple Crown, which means if a horse wants to secure the Triple Crown, they must do it in New York.

Some of the most famous horses in the sport have raced on the 1 ½ mile-long track, including the race record holder and Triple Crown champion Secretariat, who finished in 2:24 back in 1973. All horses in the race are three-year-old Thoroughbreds, and horses that finish in the top three at either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes are given automatic spots in the race, while all other horses must be Triple Crown-nominated.

The 2026 Belmont Stakes is the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes and will take place on June 6, 2026, at Saratoga Race Course.

157th Belmont Stakes (2025) results

The 2025 Belmont Stakes took place at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, June 7. The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival spanned five days, beginning on Wednesday, June 4, and concluding on Sunday, June 8. Journalism, the recent Preakness Stakes champion, opened as the 8-5 morning line favorite for the Belmont Stakes after drawing post position 7 on Monday evening. Meanwhile, Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty landed in post position 2 and enters as the 2-1 second favorite.

However, Sovereignty crossed the finish line three lengths ahead, followed by Journalism in second and Baeza in third—mirroring the exact top-three outcome of the Kentucky Derby.

Preakness Stakes

Every year on Armed Forces Day, horses that finish inside the top five at the Kentucky Derby or are ranked among the top in lifetime earnings and graded stakes compete in the Preakness Stakes. This race is the second jewel of the Triple Crown, as it is held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

Much like the Belmont Stakes, the speed record for this race is held by Secretariat, while the record for the largest margin of victory belongs to Smarty Jones, who won by 11 ½ lengths. Since it is such a legendary race, the best horse trainers in the world have had their horses compete, but none have been more successful than Bob Baffert, who has eight wins as a trainer.

The 2026 Preakness Stakes will run on May 16, 2026.

150th Preakness Stakes (2025) results

The Travers Stakes

Not only is Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga, New York, one of the most iconic venues in the sport, but it is also the home to the Travers Stakes, which is held every summer. The first Travers Stakes was inaugurated in 1864, and it has since earned the nickname of the "Midsummer Derby."

While this race is not involved in the Triple Crown, it is considered the third-best race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds of any sex. The winner of this race receives two things in the winners' circle: the Man o’War Cup and a blanket of carnations.

The 157th running of the Travers Stakes (2026) is set to take place on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

156th The Travers Stakes (2025) results

In a commanding performance at the Travers Stakes, Sovereignty secured his fifth major victory of the year. He finished the race in 2:00.84, winning by 10 lengths against a field of five horses, including the runner-up, a 17-1 longshot, Bracket Buster. This win makes Sovereignty the fifth horse in history to win the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Travers Stakes. He is also the only horse to win those three races in addition to the Jim Dandy.

The Breeders’ Cup

Most horse racing events last only one day, but the Breeders' Cup is a horse betting fans' dream, as it is a two-day event with Grade 1 Thoroughbred horse races. Breeders’ Cup Limited, which was founded in 1984 but did not start hosting this event until 1985, puts it on each year.

Until 2006, this event was a single-day event; since 2007, it has lasted two days each year. The location for this event changes annually, and the distance, qualification requirements, weight limit, and purse vary by race. In total, there are 14 races at each event, held either on turf or dirt. The biggest of these races is the Breeders’ Cup Classic, as this race has the biggest purse each year. In the history of the Breeders' Cup, a horse named Zenyatta has produced the most earnings, winning over $4.6 million.

The Breeders' Cup 2026 Festival Week is set for Lexington, Kentucky, with the Breeders' Cup World Championships on October 30 and October 31 at the Keeneland Race Track.

2025 Breeders’ Cup winners - All races

2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic - Results

Other major horse races around the world

While the horse races mentioned above certainly are a big deal in the sport, there are plenty of other notable events/races held each year that are certainly of note to bettors. These races include the Royal Ascot, Cheltenham Festival, Melbourne Cup, Dubai World Cup, Grand National, Pegasus World Cup Invitational, and more.

The Pegasus World Cup Invitational is actually considered by most to offer “the most lucrative Thoroughbred horse races.” The most notable race at that event features 12 horses, each with a $1 million buy-in. This event also marks the beginning of a new year in horse racing, as it is held in January at Gulfstream Park.

Other top horse racing events can also be found around the world. For example, the Grand National, Melbourne Cup, and Dubai World Cup typically attract a ton of betting action despite being held internationally. The Grand National is held annually at Aintree Racecourse in England and is a steeplechase over a 4-mile, 514-yard course. In order to qualify for the Grand National, the horse must be at least seven years old, rated 125 or more by BHA, and previously placed in a recognized chase of 2 miles 7 ½ furlongs.