New York City is one of the most famous tourist locations in the world, with billions of people passing through the city annually.Â

Therefore, there is no surprise that there is a big sporting culture within NYC, whether it be basketball and ice hockey at Madison Square Garden, or going to see the New York Giants in the NFL. Even the WWE have a massive connection to the city, with events at the Garden selling out in minutes.Â

However, it is also a hugely popular city when it comes to horse racing action, with a number of courses located within striking distance of the Big Apple. So, where can you findhorse racing expert picks by TwinSpires in New York City?

Aqueduct

Aqueduct is located in South Ozone Park in the neighbourhood of Queens. Famously, the track is the only racing course located within New York City limits, making it an extremely popular attraction when the biggest races are taking place.Â

Aqueduct runs meets between October until April, and it is one of the most popular locations for tourists during the Christmas period. However, visitors will need to attend Aqueduct soon, as the NYRA plans to close the track in 2026 after developments at nearby Belmont Park are complete.Â

Aqueduct has been open to the public since September 1894, and it hosts a number of prestigious Grade Ones throughout the year. The most important of these comes in the form of the Wood Memorial Stakes, which is one of the final preps for the Kentucky Derby. Eleven winners of the race would follow up in the Derby between 1930 and 2000, but it is yet to produce a winner since.Â

Saratoga

Despite being a three-hour drive away from New York City, there are few more popular locations to watch horse racing action in the region thanSaratoga. The Spa is one of the most significant horse racing venues in North America, with racing action having been staged at the track since 1863.Â

It is considered to be the oldest major sporting venue in the U.S, but it is actually the fourth oldest in America. Originally, the Saratoga meet would last only four days, but this has been expanded due to its popularity throughout recent history. Nowadays, there are 40 days of action at Saratoga annually, with live racing being staged between July and September.Â

Significant Grade Ones are contested at the track, including the Alabama Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and the Travers Stakes. The latter is regarded as the Midsummer Derby, and was won in 2024 by Fierceness for Todd Pletcher. The Spa is also revered as the Graveyard of Champions, with legends horses such as Man o’ War, Secretariat, and Rachel Alexandra all suffering shock defeats at Saratoga.Â

Far Hills

If jumps racing is what you’re looking for, then there are few better locations in the United States to watch racing than Far Hills. The course in New Jersey is home to the most expensive race in its discipline in America, with the American Grand National taking place annually in October.Â

This race day is worth $1 million, and has been run at the course since 2000. The big jumps card of the year is a widely attended event, with over 75,000 people in attendance to watch the action. The American Grand National is the premier event on the card, and loosely based on the Aintree equivalent staged in April. However, unlike the English race, the American Grand National is run over hurdles over just under three miles.Â

Hewick is one of the most famous recent winners of the race for trainer John Hanlon, with the Irish raider later scoring in the prestigious G1 King George Chase at Kempton.Â

Belmont Park

The most famous race track located in the New York era is found in Elmont, as Belmont Park hosts the only Triple Crown race in the state. The Belmont Stakes forms the final leg of the Triple Crown, and it has produced some of the most iconic moments in the sport’s history.Â

Among those came in 2004, when a record crowd of 120,000 saw Birdstone upset Smarty Jones in his bid for immortality. The Big Sandy stages racing meets between April and July, before once again opening its doors between September and October. It is regarded as the Championship Track in the U.S., as almost every champion in the 20th century has competed at Belmont.Â

Massive work is currently taking place at Belmont, as the course begins to look ahead to the future. Therefore, the Belmont Stakes will take place at Saratoga in 2025, and the track should be ready to re-open in 2026. Unfortunately, when it does re-open, Aqueduct will be closed down as racing at Belmont will take place throughout the year.Â