Giddyup! It’s the start of a new season at the Fort Erie Race Track

It’s a new year, and that means a new season full of horse racing and special events at the Fort Erie Race Track. The Fort Erie Race Track has announced the lineup for its 126th season, which will run from May until October. 

Prior to the start of the formal season, however, the race track already has events to get excited about in the form of three handicapping challenges taking place on Jan. 21, Feb. 25 and Mar. 25. In a handicap race, horses with varying levels of racing ability race competitively against each other by adding weight to horses with higher handicap ratings.

The official season, which will contain 40 races, will kick off on Tuesday, May 23 at 4:30 p.m. The complete list of races can be found through the Fort Erie Race Track’s official website.

Many spectators will be ready to bet on their favourite horses as well. Those who partake in betting have a major impact on the industry, with $33.2 million being wagered at the Fort Erie Race Track in the 2022 season alone.

The track is also promising several special events throughout the season. The track will hold races on certain holiday Mondays this year, which are sure to bring in plenty of viewers and garner excitement for the races.

The track’s popular Father’s Day card will also make a return in 2023. This event has proven to be particularly successful for the track and exciting for families who wish to celebrate their fathers with a day at the races.

In addition, the track will hold Twilight racing events on Monday and Tuesday nights in the summer, which will allow fans to enjoy races during the evening.

The Fort Erie Race Track has been a highlight within the Niagara Region since its first races took place in 1897. With more and more events opening up at the track since its re-opening after COVID-19 closures, it’s a safe bet that Fort Erie’s horse racing industry has nowhere to go but up.