Tioga Downs kicks off 2026 racing season May 2
At 0h02, on April 26, 2026 • By Andrew Demsky, Tioga Downs
Tioga Downs Casino opens for live racing this year on its customary date of Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 2. This year’s season provides a total of 61 live race dates, including nine dates of thrilling stakes racing action. As always, Tioga Downs will offer terrific promotions including bulldog, basset hound, corgi and wiener dog races.
Opening day features live harness races, with first post at 5:15 p.m. (EDT). Racing starved patrons can enjoy the biggest day in Thoroughbred racing coupled with the return of live horse races for the first time since last fall.
Arrive early to participate in the Derby Hat Contest, get your free magnet calendar and T-shirt, and enter to win a $500 Derby Dream Bet. Racing fans can watch and wager on the 152nd Kentucky Derby, which will be simulcast throughout the facility and the videoboard in the infield. The “Derby break” will come after the fourth race, from approximately 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Eight New York Sire Stakes cards will take place this season, featuring the game’s top drivers and horses, with the $500,000 Empire Breeders Classic finals for 3-year-old colt and filly pacers on Sunday, Aug. 30. This season Tioga Downs also plays host to the New York Sire Stakes Excelsior Series finals on closing night, Saturday, Sept. 19.
Tioga Downs is set to host various reoccurring weekly promotional events. “Bingo and Beer Night” is every Friday, featuring Harness Racing Bingo and $2 draft beers. Sunday “Family Day” specials feature food specials and free programs for the horseplayer. Kids will enjoy the free bounce houses, waterslide, farm tours, and face painting.
Tioga Downs also offers fireworks nights, a Hambletonian Trip giveaway, a car giveaway, “corntastic weekend,” and great food specials throughout the season.
