Harness racing and thoroughbred racing in the First State
Harness Tracks
Signature Purses
Live Racing
Racing Tradition
Delaware features two harness racing tracks that have been central to the state's sports and entertainment offerings. The state's racing industry is regulated by the Delaware Department of Agriculture, with separate harness racing and thoroughbred racing commissions ensuring high standards for horse welfare and betting integrity.
Dover, Delaware | 1131 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901
Racing Type: Harness racing (Standardbred)
Venue Status: Bally's Dover Casino Resort
Racing Season: November through March
Dover Downs is located within the Dover International Speedway, using the one-mile banked oval track. The facility hosts harness racing events from November through March with typical post times of 4:30 or 5:30 p.m. Dover Downs has hosted harness racing since its inception in 1969, making it nearly 56 years old in 2025.
Signature Races: Progress Pace ($300,000 purse for 3-year-old colt pacers), Matron Series, Classic Series, Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) events
Notable Features: Over a dozen $100,000 races annually, major harness racing venue in the Mid-Atlantic region, on-site casino at Bally's Dover
Harrington, Delaware | 15 West Rider Rd., Harrington, DE
Racing Type: Harness racing (Standardbred)
History: One of America's oldest racetracks, continuous racing since 1946
Racing Schedule: Approximately 70 days of live racing annually, split between spring meet and autumn meet
Location: Located on Delaware State Fair grounds, 16 miles south of Dover
Harrington Raceway is one of the nation's oldest continuously operating horse racing facilities. The facility features a half-mile oval that was reconstructed prior to the 2003 spring meet, resulting in wider turns and a faster racetrack. Live racing occurs April through October, typically on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday evenings.
Amenities: 1,800+ slot machines, table games, simulcast racing year-round, sports betting, dining facilities
Stanton, Delaware
Racing Type: Thoroughbred (exclusive track in Delaware)
Delaware Park is the only thoroughbred horse racing track in the State of Delaware. The facility hosts thoroughbred racing with significant graded stakes events. Delaware Park features quality racing and attracts top thoroughbred competitors.
Major Races:
Regulatory Authorities:
Delaware features harness racing (standardbred horses) at Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway, and thoroughbred racing at Delaware Park. Harness racing is the primary racing activity, with Dover Downs operating November-March and Harrington Raceway operating April-October.
The Progress Pace is Dover Downs' signature race with a $300,000 purse for 3-year-old colt pacers. It is one of the largest purse harness races at the facility and attracts quality standardbred competitors from across the region.
Harrington Raceway is one of the oldest continuously operating racetracks in America, having run a race meet every year since 1946, making it nearly 80 years old. The facility operates its 79+ harness racing season, with approximately 70 days of live racing annually.
Dover Downs hosts harness racing November through March with post times at 4:30 or 5:30 pm. Harrington Raceway hosts harness racing April through October on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. Together, the two tracks provide harness racing nearly year-round in Delaware.
Delaware Park in Stanton is Delaware's only thoroughbred horse racing track. The facility hosts thoroughbred racing and is home to prestigious graded stakes races including the Delaware Handicap (Grade II, $300,000) and Delaware Oaks (Grade III, $300,000) for 3-year-old fillies and mares.
The minimum age for pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing in Delaware is 18 years old. Valid government identification is required for all bets placed at Delaware's racing venues and off-track betting locations.
Yes, Bally's Dover Casino Resort operates a full casino at Dover Downs open 24/7 with slots, table games, and sports betting. The facility also features a hotel and dining options in addition to harness racing November-March. You can enjoy racing and gaming together or separately.
Harness racing (standardbred horses) features horses pulling sulkies with drivers, typically at 1-mile or shorter distances. Thoroughbred racing features jockeys riding horses at longer distances. Delaware's Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway focus on harness racing, while Delaware Park features thoroughbred racing exclusively.
Last updated on November 27, 2025