The 2026 Scioto Downs harness racing season will kick off on Thursday, May 7.
Post time will be 5:15 p.m. each race day, with a Tuesday through Saturday racing schedule. Special race days will be held on Memorial Day and Labour Day, with that Monday card taking place of the normal Tuesday.
Starting the week of Aug. 2, the track will move to a four-day-per-week schedule, racing Tuesdays and Thursdays through Saturdays. For closing week, there will be racing on Wednesday as Scioto has worked with the Ohio Harness Horse Breeders Association to not host racing on Friday, Sept. 18 to accommodate horsemen attending the Ohio Selected Yearling Sale.
Scioto will then open for two action-packed weekends as the Breeders Crown comes to the south Columbus, Ohio oval. Elimination races will be held on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17, with the finals hosted on Oct. 23-24. Tickets are now on sale via Open Table; more details about the Breeders Crown at Scioto can be found on the track's website at caesars.com.
Other big days on tap for the 2026 season at Scioto include:
- July 4 – The $150,000 USD Next Generation events for two-year-old Ohio-sired horses
- July 18 – The Moni Maker & Nadia Lobell for three-year-old fillies; the Cleopatra & #SendItIn Invitationals for older pacers
- July 30-Aug. 1 – State Fair races for two & three-year-old Ohio-sired horses
- Sept. 12 – Ohio Super Night (Sires Stakes Championships); Jim Ewart & Charlie Hill Memorials for aged horses
Jessica Otten has joined the Scioto team for the 2026 harness racing season. Otten has been working on updating the TV graphics for the track and will be seen on air conducting paddock interviews, providing race analysis and creating additional content for social media and the simulcast show. She has also been busy setting up on-track promotions to make the guest experience better at the track.
“I’m very excited to join the team at Scioto Downs,” said Otten. “I’ve watched my sister [Jenna] be part of a group that values collaboration, positivity and shares a passion for racing. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute and grow within such a strong environment.”
“It is great having Jessica join the team,” said Jason Roth, Scioto’s Director of Racing. “Her experience in the industry both on and off air will help us immensely. She has worked big events in the past and will be a huge part of making us successful with the 2026 Breeders Crown.”
(With files from Eldorado Scioto Downs)