US & Canada Horse Racing Set for Another Stellar Year

Horse racing bettors in the United States and Canada have another stellar year to look forward to, with the upcoming calendar packed with high-profile races.

Many punters have been trying to build their bankroll on the Betpanda casino platform ahead of what promises to be an actioned-packed 12 months.

With that in mind, read on as we look at the top races in 2026, before focusing on some of the standout events scheduled to take place.

Big race schedule in the US & Canada

• Jan: Pegasus World Cup – Gulfstream Park – $3,000,000
• Jan: Pegasus World Cup Turf – Gulfstream Park – $1,000,000
• Mar: Florida Derby – Gulfstream Park – $1,000,000
• Apr: Wood Memorial Stakes – Aqueduct – $750,000
• Apr: Central Bank Ashland Stakes – Keeneland – $600,000
• Apr: Maker’s 46 Mile – Keeneland – $600,000
• Apr: Jenny Wiley Stakes – Keeneland – $600,000
• Apr: Apple Blossom Handicap – Oaklawn Park – $1,250,000
• Apr: Charles Town Classic – Charles Town – $1,000,000
• May: Arkansas Derby – Oaklawn Park – $1,500,000
• May: Kentucky Derby – Churchill Downs – $5,000,000
• May: Kentucky Oaks – Churchill Downs – $1,500,000
• May: Derby City Distaff Stakes – Churchill Downs – $1,000,000
• May: Turf Classic Stakes – Churchill Downs – $1,000,000
• May: Preakness Stakes – Pimlico $2,000,000
• Jun: Santa Anita Derby – Santa Anita – $750,000
• Jun: Ogden Phipps Stakes – Belmont Park – $500,000
• Jun: Acorn Stakes – Belmont Park – $500,000
• Jun: Belmont Stakes – Belmont Park – $2,000,000
• Jun: Just a Game Stakes – Belmont Park – $500,000
• Jun: Stephen Foster Stakes – Churchill Downs – $1,000,000
• Jul: Manhattan Handicap – Belmont Park – $750,000
• Jul: Metropolitan Handicap – Belmont Park – $1,000,000
• Jul: Blue Grass Stakes – Keeneland – $1,000,000
• Jul: Belmont Derby Invitational – Belmont Park – $750,000
• Jul: Belmont Oaks – Belmont Park – $500,000
• Jul: Madison Stakes – Keeneland – $600,000
• Jul: United Nations Stakes – Monmouth Park – $612,000
• Jul: Coaching Club American Oaks – Saratoga – $500,000
• Jul: Haskell Stakes – Monmouth Park – $1,000,000
• Aug: Diana Stakes – Saratoga – $500,000
• Aug: Test Stakes – Saratoga – $500,000
• Aug: Whitney Stakes – Saratoga – $1,000,000
• Aug: Secretariat Stakes – Arlington Park – $500,000
• Aug: Beverly D Stakes – Arlington Park – $500,000
• Aug: Arlington Million – Arlington Park – $1,000,000
• Aug: Alabama Stakes – Saratoga – $600,000
• Aug: Sword Dancer Stakes – Saratoga – $750,000
• Aug: Personal Ensign Stakes – Saratoga – $500,000
• Aug: Allen Jerkens Stakes – Saratoga – $500,000
• Aug: Ballerina Stakes – Saratoga – $500,000
• Aug: Travers Stakes – Saratoga – $1,250,000
• Aug: Pacific Classic Stakes – Del Mar – $1,000,000
• Sep: Ricoh Woodbine Mile – Woodbine – $1,000,000
• Sep: Cotillion Stakes – Parx Racing – $1,000,000
• Sep: Jockey Club Gold Cup – Belmont Park – $1,000,000
• Oct: Joe Hirsch Turf Classic – Belmont Park – $500,000
• Oct: Flower Bowl – Saratoga – $500,000
• Oct: Darley Alcibiades Stakes – Keeneland – $600,000
• Oct: Champagne Stakes – Belmont Park – $500,000
• Oct: Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity Stakes – Keeneland – $600,000
• Oct: Coolmore Turf Mile – Keeneland – $1,000,000
• Oct: Juddmonte Spinster – Keeneland – $600,000
• Oct: Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup – Keeneland – $600,000
• Oct: Pattison Canadian International Stakes – Woodbine – $750,000
• Oct: EP Taylor Stakes – Woodbine – $600,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – Keeneland – $2,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies – Keeneland – $2,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf – Keeneland – $1,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf – Keeneland – $1,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint – Keeneland – $1,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Classic – Keeneland – $6,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Mile – Keeneland – $2,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Sprint – Keeneland – $2,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Turf – Keeneland – $4,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – Keeneland – $1,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – $1,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf – $2,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Distaff – Keeneland – $2,000,000
• Oct: Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – Keeneland – $1,000,000
• Nov: Clark Handicap – Churchill Downs – $600,000
• Nov: Cigar Mile Handicap – Aqueduct – $500,000

Trainers call for changes to the Triple Crown

The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing holds a special place in the hearts of bettors, but changes to the schedule could be on the cards in 2026.

There have been widespread calls from leading trainers to extend the gap between the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.

However, many traditionalists believe the condensed schedule is part of the allure of the Triple Crown and have insisted it should remain untouched.

David O’Rourke, the chief executive officer and president of the New York Racing Association, has claimed the Triple Crown isn’t broken and doesn’t need fixing.

While there are likely to be plenty of debates about those prestigious races, the format of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships later in the sporting calendar is firmly set in stone.

The two-day meeting is scheduled to take place at Keeneland on October 30-31 and will once again be one of the biggest betting events of the year.

Japanese superstar Forever Young won the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic and will reportedly attempt to go back-to-back in the race this time around.

Top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien is generally worth following at the Breeders’ Cup. He is the most successful trainer in Breeders’ Cup history with 21 wins.