Previewing the second half of the 2020 racing season

Horse racing is back underway in the United Kingdom and after a successful Royal Ascot meeting in June it’s time to look forward.

Here is what’s in store for racing fans over the coming months:

Belmont Stakes

This is usually among the most highly anticipated races in the United States and abroad for that matter. It follows the famous Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

The Belmont Stakes meeting sees a dozen races a day and often generates more than $50 million in handled bets.

Kentucky Derby

The annual event in Louisville is set to take place on September 5 and will be the middle of the Triple Crown instead of the initial race in the series.

Country House is the defending champion, rode by Flavien Prat last year, while Justify was the last Triple Crown winner, in 2018.

St Leger Stakes

Set for September 12 in Doncaster, England, the St Leger Stakes takes place over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 115 yards.

It is the final leg of the English Triple Crown, which begins with the 2,000 Guineas and continues with the Derby. Logician, ridden by Frankie Dettori, won last year’s race.

Preakness Stakes

The Preakness has been moved from the third Saturday in May to October 3 this year and will be the final race in the Triple Crown.

Held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, it is a Grade 1 race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs. Tyler Gaffalione rode 4/1 shot War of Will to a 1¼ length victory last year.

BetVictor Gold Cup

A Grade 3 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which consists of horses aged four years or older.

Staged at Cheltenham over a distance of about two miles and four-and-a-half furlongs, it includes sixteen fences to be jumped.

Set for November 14, this event first took place in 1960 and was won last year by Happy Diva.

Betfair Chase

A Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in the United Kingdom open to horses aged five years or older.

This event takes place at the famous Haydock Park over a distance just over three miles with nineteen fences to jump.

The Betfair Chase is scheduled for November 21 this year. It is the youngest race on the list, with Kingscliff taking the first renewal in 2005.

King George VI Chase

Taking place on Boxing Day annually at Kempton Park in the United Kingdom, the King George is run over nearly three miles with 18 fences to jump.

It is the second most prestigious chase in the UK, after the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

It has a reputation for producing popular results, such as Desert Orchid winning four times and Kauto Star notching up five victories within six years.