Officials representing provincial harness racing industry associations across the Maritimes have formally announced the 2026 regional stakes schedule.
The 2026 calendar will begin with several Atlantic Sires Stakes events. Three-year-old colt and filly pacers are set to debut at Red Shores Summerside Raceway on May 24. Truro Raceway will host the season’s inaugural two-year-old pacing events during its Grand Circuit race cards on July 3 and July 5. Atlantic-sired trotters will begin their stakes campaigns at Truro Raceway on July 24.
This year, the Atlantic Sires Stakes will feature four legs in each division, hosted at tracks throughout Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The top eight point earners in every division will advance to the prestigious Atlantic Breeders Crown Championships, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4 at the Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park. Notably, 2026 marks the first time the trotting divisions within the Atlantic Sires Stakes program will be separated by sex, with dedicated finals for each age group.
Summerside Raceway will launch the P.E.I. Colt Stakes program during Governor’s Plate week, running from July 12-18, culminating in the 58th edition of the Governor’s Plate, sponsored by Summerside Chrysler Dodge.
Woodstock Raceway in New Brunswick will open its season on July 30 with the Dawn Bremner Memorial Stakes for three-year-old pacers. The venue will host a variety of stakes races for two- and three-year-olds, alongside Invitational events throughout 2026.
Old Home Week at Charlottetown Driving Park will be held one week later than usual, from Aug. 15-22, featuring the region’s premier stakes horses and Invitational competitors. A highlight of the week will be the 67th running of the Gold Cup and Saucer, presented by Atlantic Lottery, with all trials taking place on Aug. 15 at a special post time of 5 p.m.
The Atlantic Breeders Crown Weekend will mark its 60th year of celebrating champions and will take place on Oct. 3-4 at Charlottetown Driving Park. The Atlantic Classic Sale preview is slated for Oct. 8 at Crapaud Exhibition Grounds from 3–7 p.m., followed by the Atlantic Classic Sale on Friday, Oct. 9 at 11:30 a.m.
Home Hardware continues as sponsor for the sixth consecutive year of the Home Hardware Maritime Breeders Stakes for two- and three-year-old pacers and trotters. All event legs will be held at Charlottetown Driving Park on Oct. 15 and Oct. 17.
This summer, the Invitational circuit will undergo notable enhancements. Colts and geldings will commence their campaign on June 13 in Charlottetown with the Cecil Ladner Memorial. Points will be accrued across eight events at Island tracks, with the leading eight point earners qualifying for the Premier’s Cup. Additionally, a new series has been established for aged pacing mares, featuring eight legs at Island tracks; the top eight qualifiers will compete in a lucrative final, sponsored by Standardbred Canada. Aged trotters will also enjoy a comprehensive slate of events throughout the season. All Invitational finals are set for Oct. 10 at Charlottetown Driving Park.
Click here to view the full schedule.
(Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association)