The state of Delaware is home to three live racing locations, with Delaware Park for thoroughbreds, and Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway for harness racing. While there are no stand-alone OTBs, all tracks offer daily simulcasting of racing from around North America. What's more, all three tracks operate as racinos, with both slots and table games, as well as a sportsbook for wagering on two-legged athletes. Dover Downs also includes a hotel and a concert venue.
Delaware Off Track Betting Sites
You never have to miss getting in on the action and betting major thoroughbred and harness races when you have an account with a secure and legal online racebook such as those reviewed here. Online racebooks offer the benefit of track odds, and then go beyond that with bonuses and promotions that help increase your return - not to mention the convenience of betting from your PC or mobile device.
Just a quick glance at the table above gives you an idea of the different promotions offered by online betting sites in terms of sign-up bonuses alone. If you're a horse player who likes to bet exotic wagers, such as exactas and trifectas, BetDSI offers one of the most lucrative cashback promos with 8% cash back on exotics - win or lose - paid daily.
Delaware Horse Race Tracks
As mentioned above, Delaware has a multiple options to enjoy both live horse racing and simulcast wagering, and like many other locations in North America, their racing facilities have expanded to become full service gaming and sports entertainment locations.
Delaware Park
The home of thoroughbred racing in the state, Delaware Park opened in 1937 and is the host track for the (G1) Delaware Handicap and the (G2) Delaware Oaks. Over the past few years, Delaware Park has gained some fame as the home track for 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, and 2009 Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex. Live racing is held from early June to late October on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with post time at 1:15 PM. Simulcast racing from more than 40 tracks is offered all year around, seven days per week.
In addition to racing, Delaware Park includes a casino complex and is somewhat unique in terms of horse racing facilities in that it also incudes the 18-hole White Clay Creek golf course. So you can shoot a round in the morning, and bet the ponies in the afternoon.
- 777 Delaware Park Blvd.
- Wilmington DE 19804
- http://www.delawarepark.com/
Dover Downs
Opened in 1969, Dover Downs is the only track in the country where horse racing and car racing exist on the same grounds. There is a 5/8ths-mile harness racing track, and that is surrounded by a 1-mile car racing track - Dover International Speedway - used for NASCAR racing. Live harness racing takes place from November through to April, with year-round simulcast racing for both harness and thoroughbred available in the casino sportsbook room. The casino itself includes more than 2000 slot machines, and 40 different table games.
There is also a hotel at Dover Downs, and multiple dining options.
- 1131 North Dupont Highway
- Dover, DE
- http://www.doverdowns.com/
Harrington Raceway
Harrington Raceway was opened in 1946, and features a half-mile harness racing track. There's live harness racing from late April to late June, and then again from late August to mid-October, either three or four days per week depending on the time of year, with a post time of 5:00 PM. In addition, the sportsbook at the Harrington Casino offers both harness and thoroughbred simulcasting seven days a week from more than 35 different tracks.
The casino includes more than 1700 slot machines, 30 table games and a 100-seat poker room. Harrington also provides a unique online casino and poker program.
- 15 West Rider Road
- Harrington DE 19952
- http://harringtonraceway.com/main/