The Fort Erie Race Track gets set to open the gate for its 126th season of live horse racing on May 23.
The first race hits the dirt at 4:30 p.m. but race fans can arrive early to score a T-shirt or grab some food from one of the many food trucks.
Beyond opening day, the Fort Erie Race Track has a bunch of interesting events to fill out the racing season all summer long.
The dog races return this year with wiener dog races on July 16, and basset hound races on Aug. 13.
Throwback cover bands will be hitting the stage this season, including The Trip and Neo Young, who will be covering The Tragically Hip and Neil Young.
Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates challenged the Ford government at Queen’s Park to stand up for the Fort Erie Racetrack as they continue to face serious challenges due to on-going actions from Woodbine Entertainment Group.
“The Fort Erie Racetrack will have their opening day next Tuesday, but right now, they are under attack,” said Gates. “Woodbine has been granted tens of millions in purse money by this government, yet they continue to take actions which will directly harm the Fort Erie Track and the people who work there.”
The Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium filed a grievance with the Canadian Trade Commission in March after reaching an impasse with Woodbine Entertainment Group over horse shipping policies and other related problems.
In it’s 126th year, the Fort Erie Racetrack is one of two thorough-bred racetracks in the province.