Kawartha Dows Releases 2025 Event Schedule; Harness Racing Moved to Back to Saturday Nights
/It's close to post time for Kawartha Downs (KD) as they released their lineup of events for 2025, including their harness racing schedule announced at the track on Thursday morning.
(From left to right) Richard Waldon, Kawartha president; Alpacas Charm, Bijoux, Deidra and Frances Stewart Alpaca Ontario President. One event is the Alpaca Ontario Spring Show this Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Harness racing has 18 dates, with the opening day on May 14. The grand opening will feature Ontario Sires Stakes Racing to kick off the racing season. A significant change this year is that harness racing nights are reverted to Saturdays with an earlier post time of 6 p.m. The move was to accommodate cottage-goers, account for highway traffic and be more accessible to everyone.
The track's major change is broadcasting KD races outside of in-house for the first time according to Lindsay Bax, Kawartha Downs harness racing manager.
“We will have our live racing signal on the live Simulcast that will be featured both in Canada and in the United States,” she explained.
The second floor and lounge have received upgrades, which include renovated spaces and increased television sets for viewing other racetracks for betting or entertainment. Bax says more upgrades will follow but they have been delayed due to several factors.
“We will be adding several more things as we come along,” she explained. “With the ice storm in the local area and obviously with all the political climate, a few things were delayed but I think you're going to see two or three more things roll out that will help.”
This year's new events include the Alpaca Ontario Spring Show, the Kawartha Hobby Toy and Collectible Show, and more.
KD wanted to make a concerted effort to ensure that harness racing is for all ages rather than the perceived notion of it just being an adult affair due to its gambling nature.
“100 per cent it is a stigma but harness racing specifically is one of the most approachable sports that you can go to as a family,” explained Bax. “There is no cost to come to the racetrack. If you don't want to wager, you don't have to wager. You can get food and beverage and watch the horses. Everybody's looking to save pennies when you do this as a family and this provides and checks all those boxes.”
A full event list can be found online.
The following are all harness racing dates on Saturdays with post time scheduled for 6 p.m.:
May 17 (Grand Opening with Ontario Sires Stakes Racing)
May 24
May 31
June 7
June 14
June 28
July 5 (Weiner Dog Racing)
July 12
July 19
July 26
Aug. 2
Aug. 9 (Kids Night, Powerwheel Racing)
Aug. 16
Aug. 23
Aug. 30
Sept. 6
Sept. 13
Sept. 20 (Customer and Caretaker Appreciation Night)
