The best U.S. horse racing betting sites: Ranked and explained
After analyzing the U.S. betting market, the top horse racing betting sites and apps in May 2026 are: FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars Sportsbook. Read on for why I think these are clearly the best options for online betting on horse racing today:
1. FanDuel - Best overall horse racing site
Bet $5, Win $150
New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place your first $5 bet and receive $150 in bonus bets if it wins. FanDuel is my top-rated horse racing betting site in 2026, thanks to its well-rounded coverage. I believe that FanDuel offers everything that a horse race bettor could want from an online sports betting site — sharp odds, live betting, and streaming through FanDuelTV+, horse racing-specific boosts, and contests. You can access all of these great features on the FanDuel app, which is one of the best sports betting apps in the country, and you can see why I have FanDuel in pole position for my rankings.
Check out our FanDuel Sportsbook Review for an in-depth analysis, including info about the latest FanDuel promo code bonus.
| 💰 FanDuel Sportsbook offer | |
| ⏩ FanDuel Promo Code |
Automatically applied after registration |
| 🕒 Payout speed | Within 24 hours |
| 📱 Mobile app | iOS and Android |
| ✅ Last Verified | May 13, 2026 |
2. DraftKings - Best for horse racing props
DraftKings has introduced specialized prop markets that go beyond traditional pari-mutuel wagering. You can now find innovative "Head-to-Head" matchups, allowing you to wager on which of two specific horses will cross the finish line first, regardless of where they place in the overall race. Additionally, DraftKings often features "Over/Under" props on the winning time and "Winning Margin" bets where you can speculate on whether the victory will be by a nose or several lengths. Its edges, like this, help DraftKings stand out from other online racebooks in 2026.
Our DraftKings promo code review outlines everything you need to know about the operator.
| 💰 DraftKings Sportsbook offer | Bet $5, Get $100 Instantly |
| ⏩ DraftKings Promo Code |
Automatically applied after registration |
| 🕒 Payout speed | Within 24 hours |
| 📱 Mobile app | iOS and Android |
| ✅ Last Verified | May 13, 2026 |
DraftKings responsible gaming GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $100 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 5/31/26 at 11:59 PM ET.
3. Caesars Sportsbook - Bets for horse racing rewards
Bet $1, Get (10) 100% Profit Boosts
Code: COVERSBONUSDYW
Caesars Sportsbook offers one of the best sportsbook rewards programs in the country — Caesars Rewards. You can turn every real-money horse racing bet into Reward Credits that can be redeemed for bonus bets on the sportsbook, comped dinners at a Caesars steakhouse, or hotel stays at iconic properties like Caesars Palace.
Read our Caesars Sportsbook Review to learn more, including how you can earn a great welcome bonus when you sign up today using the Caesars Sportsbook promo code 'COVERSBONUSDYW.'
| 💰 Caesars Sportsbook offer | |
| ⏩ Caesars Sportsbook promo code |
COVERSBONUSDYW |
| 🕒 Payout speed | Within 24 hours |
| 📱 Mobile app | iOS and Android |
| ✅ Last Verified | May 13, 2026 |
Where to bet on horse racing internationally
Canada (excluding Ontario)
Bet $10, Get $50 or $1K Safety Net
Code: COVERS365
bet365 is by far the top online racebook in Canada, offering the most comprehensive horse racing experience in [year]. Its "Best Odds Guaranteed" slogan ensures you receive the best possible payout if the starting price drifts significantly. With elite live streaming of domestic and international races, bet365 provides unmatched value for Canadian fans across all major 2026 horse races.
United Kingdom
Our independent bookmaker reviews are designed to ensure that you're wagering at safe and legitimate UK online horse racing betting sites. Read our full reviews to become more informed and to start betting at top UK betting sites.
Types of horse racing for online betting
You need to know a little bit about how to bet on horse racing and its betting intricacies before you get started wagering on horse race betting sites. The good news is that we've got you covered. First, let’s take a look at the three major types of horse racing.
Thoroughbred racing
You don't need to be a horse racing enthusiast to be familiar with the term thoroughbreds. The most common form of horse racing features jockeys astride thoroughbred horses running on flat surfaces. Thoroughbreds can run on dirt or grass tracks, with distances ranging from 5/8 of a mile to 1 1⁄2 miles, although there can occasionally be races both longer and shorter. For example, the Belmont Stakes in Elmont is a thoroughbred race run over a distance of 1 1⁄2 miles on dirt.
Jump racing
Jump racing, sometimes referred to as steeplechase or hunt racing, involves horses leaping over an obstacle one or multiple times during the race. This type of horse racing is generally contested at distances of two miles or longer.
Harness racing
This form of horse racing involves the horse pulling a two-wheeled vehicle called a bike or sulky. These rear-mounted bikes are steered by drivers. Most harness races take place on dirt tracks and are run over one mile. This is more common in North America, whereas in the UK and elsewhere, they can be contested at longer distances.
Benefits of online horse racing betting
Those unable to attend a live horse race won’t miss a thing, aside from the excitement of physically being there. Here are the advantages of leveraging online horse racing betting in your locale:
- Convenience: Avoid the crowds and lines and browse the odds from home.
- Security: We only recommend sites that offer top-notch security and encrypted links.
- Paperless: Pull up the racing form from the palm of your hand.
- Bonuses: Horse racing betting sites typically offer new customers a generous bonus.
Popular horse racing bet types
Pick the horse that you believe will win a single race. If it does, congratulations, you’ve won your bet.
Show or or
Here, you'll make a wager on a horse to finish within one of the top three positions. If the horse you've selected finishes first, second, or third, you will win the bet.
Trifecta + +
For the trifecta, you’ll bet on the horses that you think will finish in the top three in that specific order.
or
Your horse needs to finish in either first or second to collect on your winning wager.
Exacta +
Make predictions on upcoming races as to which horse will finish first and which will place second. You'll win the bet if they finish in that exact order.
Pari-mutuel vs. fixed odds wagering
Pari-mutuel wagering
Horse racing bettors are familiar with the nature of pari-mutuel wagering. This type of bet involves sportsbooks pooling together all win bets, place bets, etc., removing a percentage, and distributing the remaining amount to winning bettors.
The downside with this type of bet is final odds are not calculated until betting has closed. The fluctuating nature of the odds can make it less advantageous to lock in your picks early. However, you may still see a larger payout than expected if you see value where others do not.
Caesars Sportsbook launched pari-mutuel horse racing in Maryland, New York, and Ohio on May 15, 2025.
Fixed-odds wagering
Fixed-odds wagering is a simple horse racing bet — place your wager, add the given odds, and lock in your price. If you spot a 10-1 underdog and submit your wager, that price will not be adjusted at a later date to account for picks by other bettors.
With fixed odds, you’re betting against the house, so it’s important to do your research and go line shopping (if possible).
In 2026, fixed-odds wagering is only available in New Jersey but has also been approved in Colorado. Several other states expect to add this type of horse racing betting in 2026.
Different odds
The horse racing betting sites we highlighted earlier and any tied to significant upcoming races will display their odds in American format. What does this mean? Let’s look at this example:
Last year's Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch had final odds of +1700, while Kentucky Derby 2024 winner Mystik Dan sat at +1800. In this instance, a $100 bet on Arcangelo would have earned you a profit of $1,700. If you'd placed the same $100 bet on Mystik Dan to win the Derby, you would have profited $1,800.
Forget the mental math and use our betting odds calculator to change American odds to decimal or fractional odds.
Horse racing betting tips and trends
We're looking for comprehensive or blanket coverage when it comes to classifying the most trustworthy horse racing betting sites. Keep an eye out for these key features:
Racing programs
Horse racing forms are easy and free to download. These racing programs are key to your horse betting strategy, because they contain statistics on the horses and their past performances, too.
Bankroll
Between betting too many races, not trusting your gut, and chasing losses, your once-promising horse racing betting strategy can get blown up in a hurry. Remember those bet types highlighted earlier? Stick to the one that you are most comfortable with playing or choose the one that has provided the biggest return on your investment. Don’t pull up lame.
Past performances
Keeping an eye on how a horse has performed in recent races can unlock the keys to your betting victory. Only 13 horses have won the Triple Crown, so take that with a grain of salt.
Live betting and streaming
This fantastic feature allows you to back a horse in the middle of its race. Due to the fast-paced nature of horse racing, our recommendations for horse racing betting sites take into account high-quality functionality. Rooting for your horse in real-time with real money funds on the line is exhilarating.
Bonus bets
If you have recently signed up and registered an account with an online horse racing betting site, you will likely receive a welcome or deposit bonus. More often than not, this comes in the form of a bonus bet.
Jockey experience
Betting against a prolific jockey's horses can be difficult, but there are no guarantees in horse racing. Securing information on a horse’s lineage and connections must be considered before you make any wager with horse racing betting sites.
Covers Expert Analysis
Carson Deveau, Betting Editor
Getting started at horse racing betting sites
To bet on the Breeders' Cup or other horse races, U.S. bettors need to register with one of the horse racing betting sites highlighted earlier. Bettors in Canada and the UK can get started at an online sportsbook or bookmaker, while Covers' own Geoff Zochodne breaks down how betting on the Kentucky Derby has changed in Ontario. Here’s what to expect when you are ready to wager.
Register
Before you can bet horse races online, you’ll have to create an account. Simply input basic personal information for verification, including your legal name and date of birth, then create a username and password.
Deposit
You’ll have to top up your newly created account with real money funds before any horse racing gambling bets can be made. Online betting sites differ, but the majority offer several different types of banking methods. It all depends on the betting site and your location.
Bet
The best horse racing betting sites have been recommended to you, so there’s not much left to do other than to make your pick. Each of these betting sites makes it easy to find and lock in your preferred horse racing bet type.
Withdraw
Each of the horse racing betting sites we listed earlier has policies about how and when to claim your winnings. Collecting those winnings on race day is a sensation not to be missed, assuming you make the right pick.
How we rate horse racing betting sites
The Covers BetSmart Rating is our tried, tested, and true method for evaluating, reviewing, and recommending sports betting sites. Our comprehensive guides provide you and the Covers community with the most up-to-date and necessary information and analysis.
Bonuses and promotions
Increased competition among sports betting sites is a benefit to you, the user. We’ve handpicked the best horse racing betting sites which will offer you the top sportsbook promos ahead of the remaining major horse races in 2026.
Mobile betting
Each of the legal horse racing betting sites tipped earlier is mobile-friendly. Whether you're betting live from the St. Leger Stakes or another horse race, you can rely on slick design and secure connectivity when wagering with sports betting apps.
Customer support
The online horse racing betting sites we recommend generally offer 24/7 customer service help via live chat, email, and most feature dedicated phone numbers for your area. These well-established sites are well-equipped to solve any potential problems.
Banking and payout speed
Our recommendations are based on horse racing betting sites that offer you a generous selection of banking options, including the most popular ones in Canada, the U.S., and the UK. Securing your bets before post time and recouping your winnings post-race is key, which is why using the best sportsbooks for payouts in 2026 is crucial.
Security and trust
Every horse racing betting site should have state-of-the-art security measures enabled like SSL data encryption. These sites also hold legal operating licenses from registered authorities.
Latest horse racing betting news
American Triple Crown races
Kentucky Derby - 152nd running
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Location: Churchill Downs - Louisville, Kentucky
2025 Winner: ⭐Sovereignty⭐
Best Kentucky Derby betting sites
Belmont Stakes – 158th running
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Location: Saratoga Race Course - Saratoga Springs, NY
2025 Winner: ⭐Sovereignty⭐
Preakness Stakes - 151st running
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Location: Pimlico Race Course - Baltimore, Maryland
2025 Winner: ⭐Journalism⭐
Bettor beware: Blacklisted betting sites
See all blacklisted sportsbooks 
Our due diligence, coupled with negative customer experiences, has identified several sports betting sites worthy of the blacklist. The findings include payment delays, poor customer support, unfair bet grading, and other questionable tactics. We encourage you to avoid placing horse racing wagers with these blacklisted betting sites at all costs.
- Allegations of withdrawal issues
- No license information available on site
- Poor customer service
- Multiple reports of slow payments
- Allegations of non-payments
- Risk of account closure simply for winning bets
- Reports of confiscated winnings
- Slow customer support response times
Instant Replay: Horse racing betting sites
Online betting sites for horse racing are a great resource for helping you place bets on races around the world, including the Breeders' Cup. Follow our advice for a seamless entry to the world of online horse racing gambling:
- Not every sportsbook or bookmaker offers horse racing odds, but legal horse racing betting sites do.
- Horse racing betting sites offer ultimate convenience.
- Set your bankroll and identify what you want from a horse racing bet.
Horse racing betting sites FAQ
My top-rated horse racing betting sites are FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and bet365 for international bettors.
Yes. The thrill of live streaming a horse race and cashing out your winnings is almost unrivaled. The social aspect should not be overlooked either, because hosting viewing parties and creating betting pools can ramp up the fun.
Yes, horse racing betting sites that offer live streaming allow you to watch and wager straight from your mobile device.
