2026 Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule Announced As Racing Returns To Bally’s Arapahoe Park
AURORA, CO–MAY 11, 2026– Bally’s Arapahoe Park will return for its 2026 summer racing season with a full schedule of Quarter Horse stakes races running from June 12 through August 16.
The track opens for training on May 13 ahead of the 30-day meet, which will feature a mix of futurities, derbies, and open stakes races for both Colorado-bred and open company competitors. Live racing will be conducted every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with a first post time of 1:00 PM daily.
Stakes action begins opening weekend on June 13 with The Pen Pal, a 350-yard open stakes race for 3-year-olds and up carrying an estimated purse of $15,000.
Trials for the RMQHA-sponsored Cherry Creek Futurity and Lucile Rowe Derby for Colorado-breds are scheduled for June 19.
The holiday weekend lineup begins July 3 with the running of the Dolls Prodigy Stakes for Colorado-bred horses 3-years-old and up. Also featured that day will be trials for the $20,000-added Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge, a race restricted to fillies and mares. Finals for the Distaff Challenge will be contested on July 18.
Finals for the estimated $75,000 Cherry Creek Futurity and estimated $50,000 Lucile Rowe Derby will headline the July 5 program.
The Leo Beau Dash Stakes for Colorado-breds, carrying an estimated purse of $15,000, is scheduled for July 24.
Trials for the estimated $70,000 Mile High Futurity and estimated $50,000 Mile High Derby will be contested on July 31, with both finals set for August 16, the final day of the meet.
Also included on closing day will be the 440-yard Rocky Mountain Championship for Colorado-bred 3-year-olds and up with an estimated purse of $15,000.
More information is available through the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association at RMQHA Race Division or by calling 303-659-7752.
For condition books or stall applications, visit Bally’s Arapahoe Park or call 303-690-2400.
2026 Arapahoe Park Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule
Date
Race
Distance
June 13
The Pen Pal
350 yards
June 19
Cherry Creek Futurity Trials
350 yards
June 19
Lucile Rowe Derby Trials
350 yards
July 3
Dolls Prodigy Stakes
350 yards
July 3
Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Trials
400 yards
July 5
Cherry Creek Futurity Finals
350 yards
July 5
Lucile Rowe Derby Finals
350 yards
July 18
Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Finals
400 yards
July 24
Leo Beau Dash Stakes
400 yards
July 31
Mile High Futurity Trials
400 yards
July 31
Mile High Derby Trials
400 yards
August 16
Mile High Futurity Finals
400 yards
August 16
Mile High Derby Finals
400 yards
August 16
Rocky Mountain Championship
440 yards
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