Colorado Horse Races

Following approval of the Parimutuel Act of 1948, and opened in 1950, Centennial Race Track was the birth-place of horse racing in Colorado. Shuttered in 1983, Centennial survived the 1965 Great South Platte Flood and was the pioneering track that blazed the trail for Arapahoe Park Racetrack - the only live horse racing venue in Colorado today. While thoroughbreds get the top billing in the horse racing industry, some of the most exciting race action is delivered by the  Quarter Horses featured at Arapahoe Park.

Top Horse Races in Colorado

We love the mix of breeds that compete in Championship Stakes racing hosted at Arapahoe Park every summer. In a nutshell, these are some of the richest horse races in Colorado.

Arapahoe Park Classic

With a $100,000 purse, the Arapahoe Park Classic is the richest race for thoroughbreds held at Arapahoe Park. Run at a distance of 1 1/8 miles on the dirt track, the race annually draws some of the top horses from around the country. In 2014, Get Happy Mister completed an undeafeated season at Arapahoe Park by winning the Classic on the last Saturday of the meet.

Gold Rush Futurity

Featuring a purse of $100K for the youngsters, the Gold Rush Futurity is 6-furlong sprint open to two-year olds and is held annually as part of the season ending weekend at Arapahoe Park.