Watch the Ponies Run

Horse racing is back in a big way. You can blame American Pharaoh and the thoroughbred’s historic accomplishment of winning the first Triple Crown in the United States since 1978.

The Triple Crown is a series of the three biggest events in horse racing. It starts with the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky., then moves to the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Md., and finishes with the Belmont Stakes in Belmnot, N.Y.

But there are tracks all across the country, from Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., to Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla. Some are little more than rundown dirt tracks with a set of bleachers, but others are modern and extravagant, beautiful places to spend an afternoon. Most allow coolers and chairs and other tailgating equipment. And dress code is up to you. If you want to ,wear a big, fancy hat, no one is going to question you. But shorts and a t-shirt work fine as well.

Admission for races is generally cheap, $5–10, depending on the track and the race. You can go early and wander around the paddock, get a look at the horses and the jockeys, and get a feel for the conditions. This is important because you’ll want to have a good idea of what you’re betting on when you place your bets later.

Because you will be betting. Betting is half of the fun at a horse race, even if you only put down a few dollars.

But horse racing isn’t strictly a U.S. tradition. Horse racing is a popular (sometimes even much more so) sport across the globe. England’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July is one of the sport’s biggest events.

So fill up a cooler, get a wide-brimmed hat and head down to your local track to watch the ponies run.