Harness Racing

The Illinois racetrack, known as one of the fastest dirt tracks in the world, hosts a large venue of great horse racing at this year's fair. Free admission and Pari-Mutuel Wagering lets the avid horse fan enjoy and watch not only some of the fi​nest horses in the state of Illinois, but also gives horse racing enthusiasts the chance to wager on one’s favorite! Come out to the track and you might be lucky enough to see an Illinois record or even a world record race time fall!

2026 ILLINOIS STATE FAIR 

ENTRIES MUST BE MADE BY 10:00 A.M. 72 HOURS BEFORE RACE
Enter online through U.S.T.A. at ustrotting.com

State Fair Racing Office: 217/782-2239

THURSDAY, AUG. 13, 2026 - Post Time: 11:00 am
IDOA State Fair Races (ICF)
$100 Entry Fee - Horses qualified for ISFCS Championships not eligible for subsequent IDOA races.

PACE - 2-Year-Old Colt - EST $5,000
PACE - 2-Year-Old Filly - EST $5,000
TROT - 2-Year-Old Colt - EST $5,000
TROT - 2-Year-Old Filly - EST $5,000
TROT - 3-Year-Old Colt - EST $5,000
TROT - 3-Year-Old Filly - EST $5,000
PACE - 3-Year-Old Colt - EST $5,000
PACE - 3-Year-Old Filly - EST $5,000

FRIDAY, AUG. 14, 2026 - Post Time: 11:00 am
llinois State Fair Colt Stakes Championships (ICF)
ELIMINATIONS ($200 Entry Fee) NOTE: If any class doesn’t split, a prep race will be held. You must race in the prep race to race in Championship. In the event that there are eliminations, ties will be drawn by lot.

PACE - 2-Year-Old Colt - $TBD
PACE - 2-Year-Old Filly - $TBD
TROT - 2-Year-Old Colt -$TBD
TROT - 2-Year-Old Filly - $TBD

SATURDAY, AUG. 15, 2026 - Post Time: 11:00 am
Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes Championships (ICF)
ELIMINATIONS ($200 Entry Fee) NOTE: If any class doesn’t split, a prep race will be held. You must race in the prep race to race in Championship. In the event that there are eliminations, ties will be drawn by lot.

PACE - 3-Year-Old Colt - $TBD
PACE - 3-Year-Old Filly -$TBD
TROT - 3-Year-Old Colt - $TBD
TROT - 3-Year-Old Filly - $TBD

Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes Aged Divisions (ICF) ($100 Entry Fee)
PACE - Fillies & Mares (4-Year-Old & Up) - $TBD
TROT - Fillies & Mares (4-Year-Old & Up) - $TBD
PACE - Horse/Gelding (4-Year-Old & Up) - $TBD
TROT - Horse/Gelding (4-Year-Old & Up) - $TBD

SUNDAY, AUG. 16, 2026 - No Racing
MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2026 - No Racing
TUESDAY, AUG. 18, 2026 - No Racing

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19, 2026 - Post Time: 11:00 am
Illinois Topline Races (No Entry Fee)
PACE - 2-Year-Old - $TBD
TROT - 2-Year-Old - $TBD
PACE - 3-Year-Old & Up - $TBD
TROT - 3-Year-Old & Up - $TBD

IDOA State Fair Races (ICF) ($100 Entry Fee)
PACE - 2-Year-Old Colt - EST $5,000
PACE - 2-Year-Old Filly - EST $5,000
TROT - 2-Year-Old Colt - EST $5,000
TROT - 2-Year-Old Filly - EST $5,000
TROT - 3-Year-Old Colt - EST $5,000
TROT - 3-Year-Old Filly - EST $5,000
PACE - 3-Year-Old Colt - EST $5,000
PACE - 3-Year-Old Filly - EST $5,000

THURSDAY, AUG. 20, 2026 - Post Time: 11:00 am
Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes Championships (ICF)
PACE - 2-Year-Old Colt - $TBD
PACE - 2-Year-Old Filly - $TBD
TROT - 2-Year-Old Colt - $TBD
TROT - 2-Year-Old Filly - $TBD
PACE - 3-Year-Old Colt - $TBD
PACE - 3-Year-Old Filly - $TBD
TROT - 3-Year-Old Colt - $TBD
TROT - 3-Year-Old Filly - $TBD

Illinois Department of Agriculture
Horse Racing Programs
State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
Office - 217/782-4231 Fax - 217/524-6194