Delaware Park is set to begin its 89th live racing season on , culminating on , following approval of a 75-day schedule by the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission.
The 2026 season will feature a varied racing calendar. Throughout May and June, racing will be held on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with a notable exception: no racing will take place on . A special Friday card is scheduled for .
July will see an increase in racing frequency, with events scheduled Wednesday through Saturday – four days a week. As the season transitions into fall, from August through October, racing will return to a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday schedule. Two exceptions are noted: no racing on , and special Wednesday cards on and .
Incentivizing Participation with Starter Bonuses
Delaware Park is implementing a starter bonus program designed to encourage horsemen to stable and race at the track. The program offers different bonus levels based on stabling status and field size.
Horsemen stabling at Delaware Park by , will receive a $1,200 bonus, split between the trainer ($1,000) and the owner ($200). To qualify, races must have at least eight starters for dirt races and ten starters for turf races. The definition of “stabled” requires that at least 25% of allotted stalls are filled by the specified date with horses approved by the racing secretary and intended to start.
Horsemen not stabled by , are still eligible for a $700 bonus ($500 for the trainer, $200 for the owner). Races with smaller fields will qualify for a $500 bonus ($300 trainer, $200 owner) if a dirt race has fewer than eight starters or a turf race has fewer than ten.
An additional non-seasonal stabling bonus is also available. Horsemen stabled between , and , may receive an extra $300 ($200 trainer, $100 owner). Complete details on the starter bonus program are available from the Delaware Park racing department.
Stakes Schedule Highlights
The stakes schedule for 2026 is anchored by the $300,000 Delaware Derby, returning on , after setting a track handle record of nearly $6.5 million in its inaugural running. The Grade III $300,000 Delaware Oaks will be run on the same day.
The Grade III $500,000 Delaware Handicap, scheduled for , is the centerpiece of the $4.3 million 2026 stakes schedule. A significant incentive is being offered: the purse will be increased to $600,000 if a Grade I or II winner from either 2025 or 2026 enters and starts in the Delaware Handicap. This potential purse increase underscores Delaware Park’s commitment to attracting top-tier talent and elevating the prestige of its signature race.
The announcement of the 2026 schedule and bonus program signals Delaware Park’s preparations for another season of Thoroughbred racing. The track is clearly focused on attracting both horsemen and fans, with the starter bonuses designed to encourage participation and the stakes schedule aimed at delivering high-quality racing action.
