On Sunday, 26th October 2025 Churchill Downs will transform into a spectacular playground for families as the Fall Meet welcomes guests to its annual Trick-or-Treat at the Track. Gates will open at noon, and the first race will go to post at 1:00 pm, setting the tone for a day where Halloween fun meets thrilling juvenile racing beneath the iconic Twin Spires.
The festivities will kick off with a host of kid-friendly stations across the grounds, offering over fifteen trick-or-treat stops where young ghouls and goblins will gather candy, toys, and surprises. Families will be encouraged to come in costume as face painters, pumpkin patches, arts and crafts stations, and inflatable games fill the racecourse with Halloween cheer. As the second race is called to post at 1:29 pm, children will already be darting between stations, laughing and collecting treats, while families take in the first flashes of racing excitement.
By 1:58 p.m., Race 3 will bring the first of the Stars of Tomorrow contests to the track, giving two-year-olds the chance to show early promise on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Just thirty minutes later at 2:28 pm, Race 4 will continue the juvenile showcase, highlighting the tactical skills and speed of emerging talent, while Race 5 goes to post at 2:57 pm, further building the narrative of future champions under the crisp autumn skies.
The marquee events of the afternoon will unfold as Race 6 heads to post at 3:26 pm, followed by Race 7 at 3:55 pm. Spectators will see these young horses tackle the challenges of Churchill Downs’ turf and dirt, combining fast-paced sprints with longer-distance tests that hint at their potential for classic glory next year. Families and racing fans alike will enjoy a dynamic blend of racing action and seasonal festivities, with the atmosphere buzzing as the sun dips lower.
Race 8 will go to post at 4:25 pm, followed by Race 9 at 4:55 pm, providing further opportunities to witness the next generation of Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks hopefuls. Between contests, the Louisville Tourism Mobile Visitor Center and the Actors Theatre of Louisville will keep the entertainment rolling, while Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana shares the spirit of giving with trick-or-treaters across the infield.
As Race 10 heads to post at 5:25 pm, attention will turn to the special retirement ceremony of reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna. Fans will watch her walkover in the paddock and celebrate her remarkable career in the Woodford Reserve Winner’s Circle before she begins her next chapter as a broodmare. The final race, Race 11, will go to post at 5:55 pm, rounding out an unforgettable day of family fun and elite juvenile competition beneath the Twin Spires.
By the time the final post sounds, Sunday, 26th October, will have delivered a perfect mix of high-energy racing, magical Halloween moments, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences like Thorpedo Anna’s retirement, leaving families and racing fans eager for more. The excitement will carry forward to the next Churchill Downs race day on Wednesday, 29th October, where rising stars and seasoned competitors alike will return to showcase their talent.
For full previews, exclusive insights, and coverage of all the racing and festivities, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.com and be part of the action at Churchill Downs.
