Oak Grove Racing & Gaming inaugurates the 2024 Kentucky harness racing schedule with a 34-date meet commencing on Monday, April 1.
Situated in southwestern Kentucky, just 60 miles northwest of Nashville on Interstate 24, this venue will stage live harness racing every Monday and Tuesday from April 1 through July 16, as well as Sunday events on July 7 and 14. The daily post time is set at 3 p.m. CDT, strategically positioned to maximise visibility between the conclusion of prime East Coast afternoon signals and the onset of evening offerings.
A host of new player-friendly amenities awaits visitors this season at Oak Grove, with complimentary daily past performance programs taking centre stage. These programs, available for each race day, can be accessed through the track's website at oakgrovegaming.com. Additionally, racing enthusiasts can enjoy expanded commentary from esteemed racing analyst Ray Cotolo.
Wagering enthusiasts will find an array of enticing options, including two Pick-5s offered daily, each boasting a low 15 per cent takeout and a minimum 20-cent base wager. The betting menu also features a $1 minimum on Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Daily Double, Pick-3, and Pick-4 wagers, as well as 50-cent Trifectas, 20-cent Superfectas, and a 20-cent Super Hi-5 available for each day's final race.
Cara Collins, Oak Grove's racing and equine operations manager, emphasised the significance of offering free programs, stating, "Providing free programs ensures our racing is accessible to all, regardless of location. Hopefully, this initiative will further expand our fan base. We've been experiencing steady growth each year, although this year, the anticipation seems even greater. Many drivers and trainers are enthusiastic about the opportunities Oak Grove presents."
Throughout the meet, Oak Grove will once again welcome the sport's top stables and drivers, hosting Kentucky Standardbred Development Fund races for Kentucky-bred two-, three-, and four-year-olds. Two series will be available for four-year-olds, culminating in six-figure finals on both May 13 and June 25. The highlight of Oak Grove's season is scheduled for Sunday, July 14, featuring a combined $ 800,000 in Kentucky Sire Stakes series finals for two and three-year-olds.
The excitement kicks off on Opening Day with a substantial purse of $ 184,000 spread across 12 races, including a duo of $ 30,000 Open Paces. The action continues on Tuesday, April 2, with another 12-race card, headlined by a $ 30,000 Open Trot.