Summer NYSS Fair racing starts Friday in Goshen

GOSHEN, N.Y.— Friday’s start of the 2024 New York Sire Stakes County Fair Series at Goshen Historic Track is the perfect family-friendly opportunity to watch and learn about New York’s harness racing and its contribution to the state’s agricultural industry.

The annual series of non-wagering races featuring 2- and 3-year-old Standardbred horses starts at 1 p.m. on Friday and continues throughout the Summer.

The New York Sire Stakes serves as a model for state-bred racing programs and is the nation’s oldest harness racing program of its kind. Goshen Historic Track, established in 1838, is the world’s oldest active harness racing track.

“Harness racing has always been and continues to be an important part of the cultural makeup of the Empire State,” said Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund (Fund) Chair Brian O’Dwyer. “These races provide a great opportunity for all New Yorkers to see why for themselves. We encourage New Yorkers to visit fairs and enjoy the races taking place all summer across New York State.”

Conducted by the Fund, the County Fair Series is an ideal introduction to the sport of harness racing. These “earn as you learn” non-pari-mutuel races across the state provide Standardbred horses and their drivers valuable on-track competitive experience. Horses have the opportunity to rise in class to the Excelsior series, and ultimately, the New York Sire Stakes Series, where the best New York-bred 2- and 3-year-old Standardbreds compete.

The 2024 County Fair Series will occur throughout July and August at fairs across the state, concluding with a September 1 Series Finals at Goshen:

July 5, 1 p.m.: Goshen Historic Track (Orange County)

July 8, Noon: Plattsburgh (Clinton County)

July 15, 2 p.m.: Dunkirk (Chautauqua County)

July 16, 12:30 p.m.: Lowville (Lewis County)

July 16, Noon: Hemlock (Livingston County)

July 18, Noon: Afton (Chenango County)

July 23, 11 a.m.: Boonville (Oneida County)

July 25, 1:30 p.m.: Batavia Downs (Genesee County)

July 29, 1 p.m.: Malone (Franklin County)

July 30, Noon: Morris (Otsego County)

July 31, Noon: Horseheads (Chemung County)

August 1, Noon: Gouverneur (St. Lawrence County)

August 6, Noon: Norwich (Chenango County)

August 6, Noon: Cobleskill (Schoharie County)

August 9, Noon: Owego (Tioga County)

August 12, Noon: Palmyra (Wayne County)

August 12, Noon: Bath (Steuben County)

August 14, Noon: Westport (Essex County)

August 20, Noon: Trumansburg (Tompkins County)

September 1, 1 p.m.: Goshen Historic Track – County Fair Series Finals

The 2024 County Fair Series Program details all County Fair race schedules, conditions and more. For more information, visit nysirestakes.com.

From the New York Sire Stakes