Oak Grove, KY — The inaugural Oak Grove Festival of Racing, a premier two-week harness racing celebration featuring the region’s richest purses and world-class entertainment, is scheduled to kick off on Monday, May 4. Spanning five days of elite harness racing, the festival will distribute an estimated $2.75 million in total purses, culminating in a blockbuster $1.5-million 11-race program on Saturday, May 16, followed by a live performance from country music superstar Jake Owen.
A Championship Racing Calendar
The festival officially kicks off on Monday, May 4, with a high-stakes program featuring elimination races for the Derby and Oaks alongside preliminary Kentucky Sire Stakes races for 4-year-olds, with purses exceeding $500,000. The schedule continues with racing on Tuesday, May 5; a special Mother’s Day program on Sunday, May 10; and Monday, May 11. The Mother’s Day program will also feature the annual Charity Corgi Dog Races, a family-fun tradition that continues to draw large crowds to the track.
For those looking for an early look at the contenders, Oak Grove will offer Derby and Oaks prep races on Monday, April 27.
Derby Day: The $1.5 Million Main Event
The festival reaches its pinnacle on Saturday, May 16, with a 12:45 p.m. (CDT) post time. The $1.5 million Derby Day race card is headlined by two new breakthroughs in North American harness racing:
- The $500,000 Oak Grove Trotting Derby (3-year-old male trotters)
- The $300,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks (3-year-old trotting fillies)
In addition to the live action at Oak Grove, fans can wager on premier Thoroughbred and harness racing from across North America, including the Preakness Stakes and live racing from Churchill Downs.
Entertainment and VIP Experience
While general admission is free for the day of racing, fans can upgrade to an elevated VIP experience all-day package. This includes private seating, homestretch dining with premium food, and a VIP ticket to the Jake Owen concert at the Moonshine Amphitheater.
Harness racing fans and racing participants will receive a special all-inclusive VIP rate of $125. Following the Preakness post (est. 6:15 p.m. CDT), VIP guests will be escorted to the infield for the concert. Jake Owen, a multiple Academy of Country Music award winner and a powerhouse in the country scene, Jake brings his signature charm and effortless stage presence to the Moonshine Amphitheater. Currently touring behind his highly anticipated 2026 Dreams to Dream Tour, Owen boasts an impressive catalog of 10 No. 1 singles and more than 2.5 billion on-demand streams that have become the definitive soundtrack to American summers. Whether he’s delivering sun-drenched uptempo tracks or soulful storytelling, Owen’s performance is the perfect capstone to a day of world-class horse racing.
Stay, Tickets and Reservations
Owners of Derby Day participating horses will receive complimentary VIP tickets (four for Derby/Oaks horses and two for all other horses entered to race on Derby Day) and may purchase additional tickets at the special $125 price. Horspeople desiring to attend the concert will be offered special ticket pricing.
All VIP ticket reservations must be secured by Tuesday, May 5 at 5 p.m. (CDT).
Hotel reservations are available at the on-premises Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel. All VIP hotel reservations must be made by calling the front desk at 270.984.4300. Use code OGDerby26 for special VIP pricing.
A welcome reception for Derby Day participants will be held Friday evening, May 15, from 7-9 p.m. (CDT).