Monday is going to be a great day: Not only is it a national holiday, but it’s the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita Park!

To learn why you should tune in at 6 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, read on.

1. The Shoemaker Mile marks the start of Breeders’ Cup World Championships season.

The Shoemaker Mile is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event; that means that the winner of the race gains a free berth to this year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland on Nov. 7. If you’re ready to see who the best of the best is, you’re going to want to watch this race.

2. Live. Sports.

If you’ve been craving live sports, grab a beer and get comfy on Monday, because top-notch horse racing is waiting for you. Seriously, it’s the best! Even if you’ve never watched it before, you can enjoy it for the simple thrill of watching elite athletes competing on national television. Oh! And also …

3. You can and should responsibly bet on it online. After all, it’s legal!

If you’re a sports bettor who’s craving some action, welcome to horse racing! The sport happens every day in this country, and you’re going to find some incredible opportunities to win big on huge races like the Shoemaker Mile. That’s because there will be guaranteed pools and lot of players on Monday. Don’t forget: you can bet small to win big, because instead of playing the house, you’re playing against other bettors. So download a betting app now and get ready to play this Monday!

4. It’s impossible to find spoilers for the ending online – which makes the Shoemaker Mile pretty much only show with that going for it right now.

It's almost impossible to avoid spoilers when it comes to entertainment in the time of lockdown; if you so much as Google a show or movie’s title to find out where to stream it, you’re probably getting a headline that completely ruins a major plot point. Not so with horse racing! You may be able to predict the outcome, but there are no guarantees.

5. You get the benefit of hearing from some of the best experts in horse racing with the TVG and NBC Sports Network team.

If you’re looking for insightful racing analysis, the team from TVG and NBC Sports Network is here to help. Professional racing analysts like Britney Eurton and Christina Blacker will be on the air helping you find the perfect horse to play in the Shoemaker Mile.

6. It’s the best way to be social while socially distancing.

Horse racing Twitter is one of the most active communities on the app. If you place a bet on the Shoemaker Mile – or simply watch the race for the sheer enjoyment of it – you’re going to find a great way to socialize even when we’re socially distancing. Log on and find your people!

7. The show starts at 6 p.m. ET, which means it’s the perfect time to watch TV no matter your time zone.

Whether you’re settling in for a pre-dinner show on the East Coast or an afternoon of sports out West, this time frame is tailor-made for the sports fan. Set an alert and be sure not to miss a moment!

8. You’re probably going to see some familiar faces in the race, even if you don’t follow horse racing that closely.

Hard core and casual racing fans, rejoice! You’re probably going to see some old favorites show up in the Shoemaker Mile. That’s the great thing about these one-mile races for older horses – you get to catch up with some superstars from the last few years. Probables for the Shoemaker Mile include last year’s Preakness winner War of Will, 2019 Seabiscuit Handicap winner Next Shares, 2018 Fourstardave winner Voodoo Song, and 2018 Hollywood Derby winner Raging Bull. That’s a lot to look forward to!