Vernon Downs begins live racing on Saturday, April 18
At 0h02, on April 11, 2026 • By John Horne, Vernon Downs
Vernon Downs is set to begin its 73rd anniversary of racing on Saturday, April 18. Post time for Opening Night is 5:05 p.m. and features a t-shirt giveaway after the third race.
In preparation for the season, Vernon Downs is holding 12 qualifying races on Saturday, April 11 at 10:30am.
2025 leading driver Leon Bailey and leading trainer Michelle Warner return to defend their titles. Last season’s titles came down to the wire as both weren’t clinched until closing night 2025.
Vernon Downs will once again host several stakes races including eight New York Sire Stakes cards featuring the top trainers and drivers in the sport. On June 12, the 3-year-old filly trotters and 3-year-old trotting colts take center stage in the $500,000 Empire Breeders Classic. The $600,000 Zweig Memorial which annually features the best Grand Circuit sophomore trotters on the road to the August 8 $1 million Hambletonian at The Meadowlands, will take place on a special Sunday night card on July 19.
To close out the season’s stakes’ action, the second New York Sire Stakes Big Apple Finals for state-bred freshmen will offer $1 million in purses. Elimination races are set for Friday, October 2 with a $250,000 final for each division of trotters and pacers on October 9.
Live racing takes place from April through November and entry to the track is free every race day.
