Racing Preview

The starting gates are officially swinging open for the start of the 2026 American Quarter Horse Association racing season at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. The 28-day meet runs through Nov. 17, bringing higher purses and some of the region’s fastest Paint, Appaloosa and Quarter Horses back to the Claremore track.

The opening weekend of the fall meet at Lone Star Park continues Saturday night with a 12-race program and a talented group of Texas-breds set to take center stage in the Restricted Grade 3, $50,000-added Dr. Glenn Blodgett Stakes.

The road to the WABRA Futurity takes center stage Saturday afternoon at Sweetwater Downs, where 46 Wyoming-bred juveniles will race the clock in five trial heats for a chance to return for one of the meet’s biggest events.

The Sunday afternoon card at Sweetwater Downs will feature 11 races, with the first post at 1:00 p.m. The afternoon will be full of excitement, highlighted by the $45,018 Cox Ranch Fillies and Mares Regional Distaff Challenge and five trial heats featuring 47 Wyoming-bred juveniles racing the clock for a chance to return to one of the meet’s biggest events.

The Saturday afternoon card at Blackfoot will feature eight races, with the first post at noon. The afternoon will be highlighted by two stakes events, the $10,000 Guaranteed Donnie Wheeler Memorial Derby and the $5,000 Guaranteed Quarter Horse Maturity, with Relay Racing also on full display between races throughout the card.

Undefeated Grade 1 winner Cv Fdddinasty Shan leads a stellar 10-horse lineup into Sunday night’s Grade 2, $270,000 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity at Los Alamitos. Owned by J. Francisco Diaz and trained by Lindolfo Diaz, the standout gelding solidified his spot at the top of the division by setting the fastest qualifying time of :17.680 over 350 yards during trials night on August 23.

Texas racing returns under the lights Friday evening as Lone Star Park opens its fall meet with a nine-race program highlighted by the $10,000-added TPHBA Maiden Juvenile.

A talented group of fillies and mares will take center stage Friday afternoon at Albuquerque Downs, where a field of ten will line up for the Grade 3, $75,000 U U Bar Ranch Stakes.

The field assembled for the Grade 1, $100,000 Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap on Saturday night at Los Alamitos is arguably one of the most formidable, deep, and talent-laden lineups in the storied history of the 400-yard classic. Bringing together multiple Grade 1 winners and top distaffers boasting exceptional recent form, this year’s renewal promises a tremendous showdown, with the winner earning a presumptive berth to the 2026 Grade 1 Champion of Champions.

Will Rogers Downs will kick off its 2026 Fall Quarter Horse, Paint, and Appaloosa Meet on Monday, September 14, with an opening-day program featuring nine trials for the $75,000-added Mystery Futurity (RG2).

Unbeaten My Royal Swinger will put his perfect Ajax Downs record on the line Wednesday when he faces nine other 3-year-olds in the $59,670 Norman Picov Derby at 400 yards.

The final day of the Sandy Ridge Racing meet promises a memorable Sunday afternoon, with a stakes-packed 10-race program bringing the season to a close. First post is set for 1:30 p.m., and the card will build toward three major events: the $266,250 BOCO Futurity, the $165,600 Bluegrass Derby, and the fourth running of the $75,000 Cherokee Overnight Stakes.

The road to one of Iowa’s premier Quarter Horse events begins Saturday evening at Prairie Meadows, where 28 Iowa-bred juveniles will battle for just 10 coveted spots in the Jim Bader Futurity.

The biggest weekend in Quarter Horse racing has arrived, and the sport’s brightest young stars are set to take center stage on Labor Day at Albuquerque Downs. A loaded 10-race program will build toward the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity, with support from the Grade 1 All American Gold Cup and the $200,000 All American Juvenile Stakes.

The biggest weekend in Quarter Horse racing has arrived, and some of the sport’s most accomplished sophomore stars are set to take center stage Sunday at Albuquerque Downs. A loaded 10-race program will build toward the Grade 1 $1 million All American Derby, with the Grade 1 $700,000 All American Oaks and the $100,000 All American Invitational Stakes adding even more championship-caliber talent to the afternoon.

Already a PCQHRA champion, top qualifier Hi Octane will now aim to become a major graded derby winner when he leads a strong lineup of sophomores in the Grade 2, $171,900 Golden State Derby on Saturday night at Los Alamitos.

Canterbury Park’s annual Minnesota Festival of Champions gets underway on Thursday, featuring a pair of quarter horse stakes, and continues Saturday with six thoroughbred stakes. The Festival of Champions began in 1992, dedicating purse money exclusively to horses bred in the state. It has remained the centerpiece of the meet each season.

A field of 19 2-year-olds will compete in two 350-yard trials Sunday at Hipódromo de las Américas for the $81,148 Alfredo Castro Rea Classic, which includes a $15,000 contribution from Cuadra Santa Elena. The 10 fastest qualifiers will advance to the final on Sunday, September 20.

A field of 10 Mexican-bred 3-year-olds will line up Sunday in the $57,330 XII Derby Desafío Crianza Mexicana at Hipódromo de las Américas.