stakes race
noun
: a horse race in which the prize offered is made up at least in part of money (such as entry fees) put up by the owners of the horses entered
called also stake race
Examples of stakes race in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The primary results on Tuesday have set up several likely high-stakes races that could determine control of Congress and statehouses in November, even though some of the day's top contests have yet to be decided.
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Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 June 2026
With the June 2 primary days away, California’s top three governor hopefuls barnstormed the state Friday, wooing unions, firing attacks and sharpening contrasts in a tight, high-stakes race.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Democrats now know who their candidates will be this fall in two high stakes races to decide control of the powerful Georgia Public Service Commission, the state’s top utility regulator.
—Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
The third stakes race of the afternoon was dominated by the Ortiz brothers.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
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Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 June 2026
With the June 2 primary days away, California’s top three governor hopefuls barnstormed the state Friday, wooing unions, firing attacks and sharpening contrasts in a tight, high-stakes race.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Democrats now know who their candidates will be this fall in two high stakes races to decide control of the powerful Georgia Public Service Commission, the state’s top utility regulator.
—Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
The third stakes race of the afternoon was dominated by the Ortiz brothers.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stakes race
Cite this Entry
“Stakes race.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stakes%20race. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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