Red Mile opens for 143rd season on Thursday night

Live harness racing returns to Red Mile on Thursday night as the historic track opens its 143rd season with a 10-race card.

More than $7.5 million in purses will be offered over 32 race dates concluding on Oct. 8.

The pre-Grand Circuit meet will cover 24 programs, racing live Thursday, Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 17 with a post time of 7 each night.

The $5 million Grand Circuit meet consists of eight cards and will follow a Thursday through Sunday schedule with post times at 7 p.m. Sept. 28-30 then 1 p.m. post times on Oct. 1 and Oct. 5-8.

The Grand Circuit is highlighted by the Bluegrass Stakes for all divisions and the International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-olds before a closing weekend tht includes the 125th Kentucky Futurity on Oct. 8.

Call the Red Mile’s racing office at (859) 258-7670 or visit the track’s website at redmileky.com for more information.

This story was originally published July 26, 2017 at 1:18 PM with the headline "Red Mile opens for 143rd season on Thursday night."