Although Connecticut does not have any horse racing tracks of its own, fans are still close to some of the nation’s premier venues. Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens is just a short drive away, while Belmont Park in Elmont is currently closed for major renovations through 2026. In the meantime, many of Belmont’s marquee races—including the Belmont Stakes—are being run at Saratoga, making a weekend trip to upstate New York a must during the summer racing season.
It isn't much further to other northeastern tracks like Monmouth Park in New Jersey, Parx in Pennsylvania, Pimlico and Laurel and Maryland, and Delaware Park in Delaware. In addition, horseplayers in Connecticut can bet the races without leaving the state at OTB sites or by betting with any of our partner offshore sportsbooks.
OTB Connecticut Betting Sites
Living in a state without a live horse racing track is no longer a barrier to betting. In 2025, online racebooks and mobile "apps" (more often than not, mobile-optimised web pages) make it easy to wager on races around the world from anywhere with an internet connection—whether you’re at home or on the go, using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Offshore racebooks also offer great promotions and benefits to bettors that you typically won’t find at the track! These often include deposit bonuses, cash-back rebates that reward you for every wager, and special promotions on major racing events. While most U.S. horse betting is still pari-mutuel rather than fixed-odds, the online perks make it easier to stretch your bankroll and build it faster than ever.
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Connecticut Race Tracks
Although there aren't any racetracks in Connecticut, racing fans in Connecticut have great options for live racing in nearby states.
New York hosts some of the best racetracks in the world. Aqueduct Racetrack is in Queens, and Belmont Park is in Elmont, though Belmont is currently closed for major renovations. During this period (2023–2026), its flagship races, including the Belmont Stakes, are being run at Saratoga. Both Aqueduct and Saratoga are within reach of Connecticut, and the top trainers and jockeys are stabled in New York through much of the year.
Other top tracks are within range of a weekend trip. Don't miss driving to upstate New York for summer racing at Saratoga, the best summer meet in the country. If you feel like going south, it's an easy drive down to Parx in Philadelphia, Monmouth Park in New Jersey, Delaware Park in Wilmington, or Pimlico or Laurel in Maryland.
Harness racing fans aren't left out in the cold, either. From Connecticut you can drive down to Meadowlands, one of the best harness tracks in the country, and the host of the prestigious Hambletonian, one of the richest races for three-year-old trotters.
Connecticut Horse Races
Five of the most important three-year-old races of the year are within an easy drive of Connecticut. The Belmont Stakes—the final jewel of the Triple Crown—is usually the closest, though it is being run at Saratoga through 2026 while Belmont undergoes renovations. Fortunately, Saratoga is still an easy weekend trip from Connecticut, making it a prime destination during the summer racing season.
Other major three-year-old features within easy driving range include the Preakness, the second jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico; the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth, the Travers (G1) at Saratoga, and the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx.
It isn’t just about the three-year-olds. Saratoga also showcases prestigious two-year-old races, including the Hopeful (G1) for colts and geldings and the Spinaway (G1) for fillies, both run at the end of the meet. Older horses take center stage in fixtures like the Whitney (G1) and the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), which has been held at Saratoga since 2021. Turf racing also shines, with highlights such as the Belmont Derby (G1), the Saratoga Derby (G1), the Man o’ War (G2)—traditionally at Belmont—and the United Nations (G2) at Monmouth.
Off Track Betting Locations in Connecticut
People who prefer visiting an OTB instead of betting from home still have plenty of options across Connecticut. As of 2025, there are 15 Winners OTB locations operating statewide under state authorization, along with full racebooks at both Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos. These venues are open year-round, offering wagering on horse races from across the country and around the world.
