Major Horse Races to Watch in America Over Memorial Day Weekend 2025

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Memorial Day weekend, spanning May 24–26, 2025, offers a thrilling lineup of Thoroughbred horse racing across the United States. Racetracks from coast to coast host prestigious stakes races, drawing top horses, jockeys, and trainers. The highlight of the weekend is the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Monday, May 26, a key event in the racing calendar. Below, we spotlight the Shoemaker Mile and other significant races taking place over the holiday weekend, providing fans with a guide to the action.

Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park – May 26, 2025

The Shoemaker Mile Stakes, a Grade 1 turf event, anchors Santa Anita Park’s Memorial Day race card in Arcadia, California. Scheduled as Race 9 with a post time of 8:00 p.m. ET, this one-mile turf race carries a purse of $300,000 and is a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile, set for later in 2025 at Santa Anita. Named after legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker, the race attracts top middle-distance turf specialists and is a highlight of Santa Anita’s spring-summer meet.

The 2025 field features a competitive group, though last year’s winner, Johannes, is not expected to defend his title due to a recent recovery from bone bruising. Notable contenders include:

Formidable Man, who won the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes at Santa Anita on March 1, 2025, and is a strong contender on his home turf.
Cabo Spirit, coming off a victory in the Grade 3 American Stakes, with jockey Frankie Dettori aboard.
Seal Team, a late-running horse looking to capitalize on his second-place finish in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes earlier this year.
Atitlan, a graded stakes winner adjusting to a shorter one-mile distance, ridden by Antonio Fresu.
Seminole Chief, a shipper from Gulfstream Park making a class jump after recent listed stakes wins.
King of Gosford, a consistent performer in California stakes races, with ace jockey Flavien Prat in the saddle.

The Shoemaker Mile’s competitive field and Breeders’ Cup implications make it a must-watch event for racing enthusiasts. Fans can catch the race live on FanDuel TV, with additional coverage available through various racing platforms.

DRF is offering free past performances for the G1 Shoemaker Mile as their race of the day on Memorial Day.

Brisnet PPs for the Memorial Day weekend races may be available directly from the Brisnet.com Free Premium PPs page on their site or through one of the links to the trainers or sires pps pointed to from TheFreePPs.com.

Equibase offers one free race of the day. Check Equibase.com for the daily offering.

Other Major Races at Santa Anita Park – May 26, 2025

Santa Anita’s Memorial Day card features additional high-profile races, including two other Grade 1 events, making it one of the most significant race days of the weekend:

Hollywood Gold Cup (Grade 1): This 1¼-mile dirt race for horses four years and up offers a $300,000 purse. It typically attracts top older horses, with recent editions showcasing talents like Skippylongstocking. The race is a key test for horses aiming for major fall events.
Gamely Stakes (Grade 1): A 1⅛-mile turf race for fillies and mares four years and older, also with a $300,000 purse. Past winners include Maxim Rate, who triumphed in 2022 with jockey Juan Hernandez. This race highlights top female turf runners and is another cornerstone of Santa Anita’s holiday card.

Santa Anita’s Monday card is known for its quality, with these Grade 1 races complementing the Shoemaker Mile to create a blockbuster day of racing. Fans can check Santa Anita’s official website for entries, results, and live streaming options.

Major Races at Other U.S. Racetracks – May 24–26, 2025

While Santa Anita takes center stage on Memorial Day, several other racetracks host notable stakes races over the weekend, offering diverse action for racing fans:

Churchill Downs – Louisville, Kentucky

Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, hosts a series of stakes races during the Memorial Day weekend, though specific 2025 schedules are subject to confirmation. Historically, the track features graded stakes such as:

Matt Winn Stakes (Grade 3): A 1⅛-mile dirt race for three-year-olds, often a stepping stone for horses targeting late-summer classics. The 2024 edition saw strong performances from up-and-coming sophomores.
Aristides Stakes: A six-furlong sprint for older horses, offering a $200,000 purse and attracting speed specialists.

Check Churchill Downs’ official calendar or resources like DRF.com for confirmed stakes schedules and entries.

Pimlico Race Course – Baltimore, Maryland

Following the Preakness Stakes on May 17, Pimlico often schedules supporting stakes races over Memorial Day weekend. While the Preakness is the track’s marquee event, additional races like the Maryland Sprint Stakes (Grade 3) or allowance-level stakes may be featured. Fans can visit Pimlico’s website or Horseracingnation.com for updated entries and results.

Monmouth Park – Oceanport, New Jersey

Monmouth Park typically kicks off its summer meet around Memorial Day, with stakes races that draw regional talent. The Monmouth Stakes (Grade 3), a 1⅛-mile turf event, is a highlight, offering a purse of approximately $150,000. This race often features turf runners preparing for larger summer campaigns. Visit Monmouthpark.com for the latest race schedules.

Gulfstream Park – Hallandale Beach, Florida

Gulfstream Park may host stakes races during the holiday weekend, such as the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series or allowance races with competitive fields. Seminole Chief, a contender in the Shoemaker Mile, hails from Gulfstream, indicating the track’s relevance in producing top talent. Check Gulfstreampark.com for weekend race details.

Woodbine – Toronto, Canada

While not in the U.S., Woodbine’s stakes races often attract American runners and are worth noting. The track may feature events like the Connaught Cup Stakes (Grade 2), a seven-furlong turf race, during the holiday weekend. Fans can follow Woodbine’s schedule on Woodbine.com or Horseracingnation.com.

Viewing and Following the Action

Racing fans can watch Memorial Day weekend races through various platforms:

FanDuel TV: Provides live coverage of Santa Anita’s major races, including the Shoemaker Mile, Hollywood Gold Cup, and Gamely Stakes.
DRF.com and Equibase.com: Offer entries, results, and live streaming options for races across multiple tracks.
Track Websites: Santa Anita, Churchill Downs, Pimlico, Monmouth, and Gulfstream provide live streams, entries, and results on their official sites.

For real-time updates, fans can also follow racing news on platforms like BloodHorse.com and Americasbestracing.net, which provide comprehensive coverage of stakes races and results.

Conclusion

The Memorial Day weekend of 2025 promises an exciting array of horse racing action across the United States, with Santa Anita Park’s Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile Stakes leading the charge on May 26. Complemented by the Hollywood Gold Cup and Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita, as well as stakes races at Churchill Downs, Pimlico, Monmouth, and Gulfstream, the weekend offers something for every racing fan. Whether you’re watching from the grandstand or streaming online, these races showcase the best of Thoroughbred racing in a celebration of speed, strategy, and competition.

Note: Race schedules, purses, and entries are subject to change. Check official track websites or resources like Equibase.com and DRF.com for the latest information.

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