Beginning in 2020, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission began administering the Harness Racing at County Fairs. The Standardbred un-cashed ticket money is annually allocated to the purses for harness racing at county fairs in Kentucky and the Fair Finals, along with any other money contributed or allocated to the Kentucky Standardbred Development Fund. In 2024, the races will begin on Memorial Day weekend in Lebanon and wrap up at the historic Red Mile in July.
To be eligible for the Kentucky Proud Series, the horse must be a two (2) year old or a three (3) year old that is a Kentucky-bred as defined in 810 KAR 7:040 and has met all requirements of 810 KAR 5:080.
2024 Race Dates:
Saturday May 25th at 1pm EST – Washington County Fair (Lebanon)
Saturday June 1st at 12pm CST – Purchase District Fair (Mayfield)
Saturday June 8th at 1pm CST – Ballard County Fair (LaCenter)
Tuesday June 18th at 3pm CST – Western KY Fair (Oak Grove)
Wednesday June 26th at 3pm EST – Marion County Fair (Lebanon)
Saturday July 6th at 1pm EST – Woodford County Fair (Lebanon)
Saturday July 13th at 1pm EST – Mercer County Fair (The Red Mile)
Sunday July 21st at 5:05pm EST – KY Proud Finals (The Red Mile)
Purses: Each race will have a purse of $1,500 per entry per division with a minimum purse of $6,000, per race and a Finals purse of $50,000.
Minimum Number of Starts: In addition to the points outlined in 810 KAR 5:080, a horse must have started in at least one-half (50% / 4 starts) of the Kentucky Proud Series to be eligible to race in the Kentucky Proud Series Final.
Fees to Participate in 2024: Paid to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission except when noted.
1. A nomination fee of fifty ($50) dollars per horse due on or before March 1, 2024;
2. A sustaining fee of two hundred ($200) per horse due on or before May 1, 2024;
3. An entry fee of fifty ($50) dollars per horse, per race, due to the fair prior to post time; and
4. A two hundred ($200) entry fee shall be due prior to post time for a horse eligible for the finals.
Number of Starters and Purse Distributions: There shall be no more than two (2) trailers in any race.
• On a one (1) mile track, there shall be ten (10) horses on the gate and the race shall split on eleven (11) horses.
• On a five-eighths mile track, there shall be eight (8) horses on the gate and the race shall split at nine (9) horses.
• On a half mile track, there shall be five (5) horses on the gate with two (2) trailers, and the race shall split on eight (8) horses.
See the related documents list below for more information and nomination forms for the 2024 Kentucky Proud Series Conditions.
Related Documents
