Clinton Raceway will welcome fans back for the official start of the 2026 live harness racing season on Sunday, May 31, with first race post time scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Opening Day will launch another exciting summer of live racing while supporting a great local cause. This year’s season opener features 10 races and will serve as a community fundraiser in support of Central Huron Secondary School, with a variety of fundraising activities throughout the afternoon.
Fans can enjoy an exciting day at the track including live harness racing, a trackside BBQ, basket auction, 50/50 draw, giveaways and family-friendly entertainment. Guests will also have the chance to enter to win a special Backyard Nights Prize, featuring outdoor prizes perfect for summer evenings from Casual Industries, Murals in Metal, Watson’s Home Hardware and Pineridge BBQ.
The popular Super Sunday Show returns for the 2026 season with new opportunities for fans to win prizes throughout the day. Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience the Bill Galvin Racing Alliance’s Drive to Win Virtual Reality Experience and see what it feels like to drive a racehorse.
Country 104.9 will be live to air with free Clinton Raceway sunglasses for the first 500 people to pop by. Gates open at 12 p.m.
Clinton Raceway’s 2026 season will run throughout the summer on Sunday afternoons (except for June 7), concluding on Sept. 6, and will once again feature exciting special events, more community fundraisers and signature race days. Fans of all ages are welcome and admission and parking are always free.
A major highlight of the season will take place in July, as Clinton Raceway hosts its signature Legends Day celebration alongside the prestigious National Driving Championship (NDC) — an event presented by Standardbred Canada that will showcase some of Canada’s top driving talent and draw fans from across the country in support of the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation.
Horsepeople are advised that the Clinton race office hours will be as follows: Mondays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The race office will be closed on Fridays.
To view Sunday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Clinton Raceway // Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT).
(With files from Clinton Raceway)