The 2026 live harness racing season at Clinton Raceway gets underway on Sunday, May 31 with an exciting afternoon of harness racing, community fundraising, prizes and family fun in support of Central Huron Secondary School.

Fans attending Opening Day can enjoy the trackside BBQ, basket auction, 50/50 draw and more as the local school fundraising committee helps kick off another exciting summer season at the Southwestern Ontario oval.

Guests will also have the opportunity to enter to win a “Backyard Nights” prize package simply by filling out a ballot found in the race program. The package includes: two Adirondack chairs from Casual Industries, a custom fire pit from Murals in Metal, a YETI cooler and tumblers courtesy of Watson's Home Hardware, and a $100 BBQ gift basket from Pineridge BBQ.

The popular Super Sunday Show will return between the races for 2026 with all-new ways for fans to win throughout the afternoon. Opening Day giveaways include two weekend General Admission passes to the Hayloft Music Festival.

Race fans will also have the chance to try out the Bill Galvin Racing Alliance's Drive to Win Virtual Reality Experience and see what it's like to drive a racehorse!

As the new season begins, Clinton Raceway would also like to remind guests of a few important policies: fans of all ages are welcome; guests must be 18 years of age or older to wager; children must be accompanied by an adult; leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome on the grounds but they are not permitted on the patio or inside the grandstand facility; and no lawn chairs are permitted in the grandstand facility but are welcome on the patio and grassed areas. 

Gates open at noon with first race post time scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons through Labour Day (excluding the weekend of the Clinton Spring Fair, June 7). Parking and admission are always free.

Click here to view the complete 2026 race schedule. More event information can be found at clintonraceway.com.

(With files from Clinton Raceway)