Hipódromo de Aguascalientes

The Hipódromo de Aguascalientes in central Mexico is the country's second most significant thoroughbred racing venue, serving as the main provincial alternative to the Mexico City showpiece. Aguascalientes — a high-altitude city in central Mexico — has a strong horse culture rooted in the state's ranching traditions, and the racetrack has been a focus of local sporting activity for decades. The track runs a programme of stakes races that serve as trials for the major Mexico City Classics, and several Mexican Classic winners have prepared at Aguascalientes before their championship bids at the Hipódromo de las Américas. The surface conditions — dry, sandy dirt at altitude similar to Mexico City — make it the most useful preparation track for horses targeting the capital's feature races.