The countdown is on for the highly anticipated return of live harness racing at The Red Mile, with opening day set for Sunday, July 20.
Racing will continue through Sunday, Oct. 5, following a Sunday through Wednesday schedule. Fans and horsepeople can look forward to 5:05 p.m. first post times on Sundays and 1 p.m. first post times on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the meet.
Horsepeople should be advised the draw schedule for opening week will kick off on Wednesday, July 16, when entries will be taken for the opening day program. The first card of the 2025 season will be a standout card, highlighted by eight $50,000 USD Kentucky Proud Series finals. The Kentucky Proud Series continues to celebrate the next generation of Kentucky-sired Standardbreds and offers strong, early season opportunities for developing young talent.
A double draw for Monday, July 21 and Tuesday, July 22 will be conducted on Thursday, July 17. A few classes will be pre-assigned to each day based on event numbers, but all remaining classes may be used interchangeably. The entry box will close at 10 a.m. on both draw days, with scratch time set for 10 a.m. the day following each draw.
To kick off the meet, qualifiers will be held on Wednesday, July 16 at 12 p.m. and again on Friday, July 18 at 12 p.m. Beginning July 21, qualifiers will be held every Monday throughout the meet with an 11 a.m. post time. Entries for qualifiers are due by 10 a.m. the day prior.
The famed one-mile oval will also be home to the $800,000 USD KYSS Commonwealth finals, as well as the lucrative Bluegrass Series, Golden Rod events and the Wildcat Series this season, all leading up to the highly anticipated Grand Circuit meet, which kicks off on Sept. 23. The 2025 live racing season will be culminated by the 133rd edition of the Kentucky Futurity, the final jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown and the oldest harness stakes race, on Sunday, Oct. 5.
Building on the success of last season, The Red Mile has announced the return of Sunday Night Lights presented by Crawford Farms. Sunday Night Lights will bring a new level of energy to the track and will feature championship racing alongside themed events, live music, family friendly entertainment and drink and dining specials. Opening weekend will feature ‘Tacos, Tequila and Trotters’ — a fun variety of Mexican cuisine, margarita specials and live music. Additionally, The Red Mile’s clubhouse will be open for dining on each Sunday evening during live racing and will offer a variety of delicious menu items. Guests are encouraged to make reservations by calling 859-255-0752.
(The Red Mile)