CLAREMORE, OK – The 2026 American Quarter Horse Association racing season is underway at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs, with a 28-day meet running through Nov. 17 and increased purses for Paint, Appaloosa and Quarter Horse racing. The 2026 fall schedule features average daily purses of approximately $150,000. Racing will be conducted regularly on Mondays and Tuesdays, with Sunday racing beginning Sept. 27 to create a three-day race week. First post is at noon.
“The return of Quarter Horse racing this fall at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs figures to be well received,” said John Lies, Director of Racing for Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. “Last fall we experienced an increase in field size, and the strength of our stall applications and trainer feedback indicate we may be able to take another step forward in delivering more competitive, high-quality racing our fans have come to expect in Claremore.”
Three sets of trials for American Quarter Horse Association championship races will be offered during the first week, including the Distaff Challenge Trials, Juvenile Challenge Trials and Derby Challenge Trials.
Overnight purses have been increased across the board, including for the Miss Ellen Stakes and Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA) Fall Classic, which both increase from $24,000 to $30,000 for 2026.
The season concludes Nov. 17 with the $15,000-Added Speedhorse Paint and Appaloosa Futurity Championship Final, $25,000-Added Mystery Derby Final, and the Black Gold Futurity Championship and Black Gold Fillies Futurity Championship, each with a $123,750-Added purse.
