Though Connecticut does not have a racetrack to call its own, the small New England state is in close proximity to several quality racetracks and multiple off track betting locations. The state is also the epicenter of expanded gambling in New England and is home to two major Native American operated casinos – Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. Both have sportsbooks, racebooks and a full array of slot machines and table games. For the horse racing enthusiast in Connecticut, there are plenty of opportunities to catch all of the latest and most exciting Thoroughbred racing action.
Connecticut Off Track Betting Sites
Even if you cannot make it to Connecticut to visit one of their casinos or off-track-betting locations, you can get in on all of the horse racing excitement and wager through one of these recommended off track betting sites. They are safe, secure and are sure to offer to most value for your betting investment.
Connecticut Horse Race Tracks
Connecticut is in an ideal location to be a horse racing fan. There are numerous racetracks an easy car ride away in both Massachusetts and New York.
Belmont Park
Located in Elmont, New York, Belmont Park is one of the most historic racetracks in the country. Home of the third jewel of the Triple Crown, Belmont Park is home to world-class horse racing in both the spring and the fall featuring some of the top trainers, jockeys and horses in the country.
The track opened in 1905 and is affectionately known as “Big Sandy”. It is the longest Thoroughbred racetrack in the country and a mile and a half in circumference. Immediately inside of the dirt main track is the Widener Turf Course which is a mile and five-sixteenths in length. Inside of that is the aptly named Inner Turf Course which measures a mile and three-sixteenths.
Belmont Park also boasts a full stakes schedule of numerous Grade 1 events including the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Beldame Stakes and Acorn Stakes as well as the recently added Belmont Derby Invitational and Belmont Oaks Invitational.
Aqueduct
Also in New York is Aqueduct Racetrack, a fixture in Ozone Park since 1894. The track races from late October through early April and while the racing quality may overall be a cut below that found at Belmont Park, it is still one of the most competitive tracks on the East Coast.
Aqueduct has three racecourses – the main dirt track which is a mile and an eighth, the Inner Dirt track which is engineered to be used during the harsh New York winters and the seven eighths of a mile turf course.
Some of the top races at Aqueduct include the Cigar Mile and the Wood Memorial, a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby.
Suffolk Downs
Known as the East Boston Oval, Suffolk Downs was built in 1935 and has had a long and occasionally tumultuous history. The track has a one-mile dirt oval which encircles a seven furlong turf course.
Throughout history, Suffolk Downs has showcased some of the greatest horses in the history of the sport including Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, Cigar and Skip Away. The premier race at Suffolk Downs was the Massachusetts Handicap which was run for the last time in 2008 when Commentator won for trainer Nick Zito.
In 2014, the track lost a bid to become a casino and announced it would be closing. However, in an effort to support the local horsemen and breeding industry, the track has held a series of boutique racing weekends each summer since then that have been well-received.
Connecticut also has numerous OTB locations including:
New Haven Off Track Betting Bureau
600 Long Wharf Drive New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 946-3100
no website
Bradley Teletheater Off Track Betting
11 Schoephoester Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
(860) 623-0380
no website
Manchester Off Track Betting Bureau
103 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06042
(860) 533-1995
no website
Bridgeport Off Track Betting Bureau
255 Kossuth Street, Bridgeport, CT 06608
(203) 576-1976
no website
East Haven Off Track Betting Bureau
65 Frontage Road, East Haven, CT 06512
(203) 745-0966
no website
Willimantic Off Track Betting Bureau
100 Main Street, Willimantic, CT 06226
(860) 456-1746
no website