Beginning in 2020, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation 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 2025, 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.
2025 Race Dates:
Saturday May 24th (optional Friday May 23) – Washington County Fair (Lebanon)
Saturday May 31st (optional Friday May 30) – Purchase District Fair (Mayfield)
Saturday June 7th (optional Friday June 6) – Ballard County Fair (LaCenter)
Wednesday June 18th – Western KY Fair (Oak Grove)
Saturday June 28th (optional Friday June 27) – Marion County Fair (Lebanon)
Saturday July 5th – Woodford County Fair (Highbramble Park, Versailles)
Saturday July 12th – Mercer County Fair (The Red Mile)
Sunday July 20th – 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 2025: Paid to the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation except when noted.
1. A nomination fee of fifty ($50) dollars per horse due on or before March 1, 2025;
2. A sustaining fee of two hundred ($200) per horse due on or before May 1, 2025;
3. An entry fee of one hundred ($100) 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 on the 2025 Kentucky Proud Series Conditions.
Related Documents
