Festival of Racing Official Invitation Email
Dear Owners and Trainers,
Congratulations on your horse’s nomination to the inaugural 2026 Oak Grove Trotting Derby and Oak Grove Trotting Oaks. We are thrilled to welcome you to the start of a new tradition in North American harness racing. We have exciting plans for you and want you to experience Oak Grove on this special weekend — Kentucky hospitality at its finest!
The Inaugural Oak Grove Festival of Racing kicks off on Monday, May 4, 2026. This premier two-week celebration features five days of elite racing with an estimated $2,750,000 in total purses, culminating in a blockbuster $1.5 million program on Saturday, May 16.
Racing Calendar Highlights
- Monday, April 27: Derby and Oaks Prep races.
- Monday, May 4: Festival kickoff featuring Derby and Oaks eliminations and Kentucky Sire Stakes for 4-year-olds ($500,000+ in purses).
- Tuesday, May 5: Live Racing.
- Sunday, May 10: Mother’s Day program featuring the Annual Charity Corgi Dog Races.
- Monday, May 11: Live Racing.
- Saturday, May 16: DERBY DAY. Post time is 12:45 p.m. CDT.
Derby Day: The $1.5 Million Main Event
The festival reaches its pinnacle on May 16 with a card headlined by two major new stakes:
- $500,000 Oak Grove Trotting Derby (3-year-old male trotters)
- $300,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks (3-year-old fillies)
In addition to live action, fans can wager on the Preakness Stakes and live racing from Churchill Downs throughout the day.
Owner & Trainer VIP Experience
As a participant in this historic event, we are pleased to offer the following:
- Complimentary VIP Tickets: Owners of Derby/Oaks participating horses will receive a total of 4 complimentary VIP tickets for each programmed. Owners of all other horses entered to race on Derby Day will receive 2 complimentary VIP tickets for each programmed horse.
- Exclusive Pricing: Additional VIP tickets for racing participants and horsemen are available at a special rate of $125.00.
- VIP Package Includes: Private seating, homestretch dining with premium food, and a VIP ticket to the Jake Owen concert.
- Welcome Reception: A reception for Derby Day participants will be held Friday, May 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. CDT.
*Complimentary VIP Tickets may not be sold, transferred or otherwise exchanged other than to participating team members. If you are a trainer receiving this email, please coordinate with your owner(s) regarding your ticket requests and complimentary tickets.
Entertainment: Jake Owen Live
Following the Preakness (est. 6:15 p.m. CDT), VIP guests will be escorted to the Moonshine Amphitheater for a live performance by country music superstar Jake Owen as part of his 2026 “Dreams to Dream Tour.”
What to Wear: Show Off Your “Derby Best”
In keeping with the prestigious traditions of the Kentucky Derby, we invite all our guests to dress to impress! Saturday is the day to wear your “Derby Best.” We encourage “smart Southern casual” – sundresses, linen, hats, boots, sport coats, seersucker suits, and colorful blazers – vibrant polished racewear. Let’s bring the high-fashion spirit of world-class racing to Oak Grove!
Reservations & Deadlines
- VIP Tickets: All reservations must be secured by Tuesday, May 5 at 5:00 p.m. CDT.
- Hotel Accommodations: Rooms are available at the on-premises Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel. For special VIP pricing, call 270-984-4300 and use code OGDerby26.
For Tickets & Table Reservations: Please contact your VIP Service Representative by email at vip@oakgrovederby.com. When responding, please provide the name of your horse expected to race on Derby Day. Upon receipt of your response with initial interest (number of attendees), a representative will be in touch with you.
To learn more visit www.oakgrovederby.com.
We look forward to seeing you in the winner’s circle at Oak Grove!
Best of Racing Luck,
Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel Management
