DOVER, Del. – October 6, 2025 – The thunder of hooves will soon return as Bally’s Dover Casino Resort launches its 56th season of live harness racing on Monday, November 3 at 4:30 p.m. The season will span 83 days of racing through Thursday, April 2, 2026, with action each week from Monday to Thursday.
Long recognized as one of the best ⅝-mile tracks in the country, Bally’s Dover has been home to champions, headlining races and hosting generations of riders for more than five decades. Since the circuit first opened in 1969, generations of fans have witnessed historic moments here, with record attendances in the 1970s and 1980s.
The 2025-2026 season continues that tradition, kicking off with night racing on November 3, before expanding into a series of high-profile stakes events that will attract the sport’s top competitors. The season’s spotlight races include the prestigious Matron Series and the Progress Pace. The Two-Year-Old Matron Series for pacers and trotters takes place on Thursday, November 6, with an estimated purse of $138,000 for each division. On Thursday, November 13, the Three-Year-Old Matron Series will offer more than $600,000 in purses. Bally’s Dover’s signature race, the Progress Pace for three-year-old pacers, returns with a preview on Thursday, November 20, before culminating in the $250,000 final on Wednesday, November 26.
The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund will also spotlight racing championships, with two-year-old finals scheduled for the week of November 24. Races for three-year-olds will follow in December, with finals scheduled for the week of December 15.
Race days extend beyond the grandstand, with premium dining, gaming and live entertainment throughout the resort. Fans can also follow harness and thoroughbred action year-round at Bally’s Dover’s Race & Sportsbook, open daily from 10am to 11pm. With simulcast racing and full betting options, the book ensures no one misses a thing, whether on site or remotely. The adjacent Sportsbook Bar, open daily from 9am to 1am, offers a lively place to enjoy brews and cocktails while enjoying savory bites.
More information about harness racing at Bally’s Dover, including riders and simulcast information, is available here. More information about Bally’s Dover Casino Resort is available on the website www.ballysdover.com and by following @BallysDover on Facebook, Instagram and X.
By Bally’s Dover Downs
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