Racing resumes next week at Ocean Downs

Preparations for the opening night of harness racing at Ocean Downs are being finalized as the vacationland oval on the eastern shore of Maryland opens its 76th year of harness racing on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Racing will be held on a 48 day race meet  Sunday- Monday- Wednesday schedule to start (no racing on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025) throughout most of the year with the season ending Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Tuesdays will be added for the entire month of July.

Post time has been moved up to 6:40 pm for the season. Qualifiers starting the meet will be held on Wednesday, starting May 21 at 10 am. Declare by 10 am on Monday, May 19, 2025. 

After that, all qualifiers will be held prior to racing on Wednesdays with a special 5:00 pm start. Declare to qualify for  Wednesday, May 28, 2025 by 10 am on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025.

Afterwards, the qualifying box closes at 6 pm on Mondays, beginning June 2, 2025.

Horsemen are reminded to adhere to the draw schedule and condition sheet posted on the USTA web site. The first draw will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Please declare by 9 am.

Racing applications are available at the Ocean Downs website-oceandowns.com- and must be accepted prior to racing. For further information, please contact race secretary Crystal Lilley at 410-641-0600 , extension 3212.

From Ocean Downs