What Harness Racing Experiences Are Available at Red Shores?

Red Shores offers live harness racing at both of its Prince Edward Island locations, plus pari-mutuel betting and a simulcast racing theatre at the Charlottetown property. If you want to watch live racing, bet on a race, or follow simulcast cards from elsewhere, the Charlottetown track is the fuller experience; Summerside is the historic alternative. Both are seasonal racing operations attached to year-round entertainment venues, so what's actually running depends on the race calendar.

Live Harness Racing at Two Tracks

Harness racing is described by Red Shores as a major part of PEI's island heritage, and the property positions the province as "the Kentucky of Canada" — a draw for visitors from around the world.

The practical difference: Charlottetown is the only location where the source material confirms pari-mutuel betting and a dedicated simulcast theatre. If your goal is to bet on a live race or watch races from other tracks, plan around Charlottetown.

What You Can Actually Do Trackside

• Watch live harness racing — the core experience at both properties, with the Charlottetown grandstand climate-controlled so weather isn't a deciding factor.
• Place pari-mutuel bets — confirmed at Charlottetown. Pari-mutuel means bets are pooled and payouts are calculated from the total pool after the track's take, rather than fixed odds set in advance.
• Watch simulcast racing — the enhanced simulcast racing theatre at Charlottetown shows races from other tracks, useful on days when no live card is running locally.
• Bet from your table while dining — Red Shores states you can bet on the horses right from your table at its dining locations, so a meal and a wager aren't mutually exclusive.

Racing as Part of a Larger Visit

Neither location is racing-only. Charlottetown is a year-round entertainment property combining live harness racing, a casino with slots and live table games, pari-mutuel betting, the simulcast theatre, and three on-site restaurants — including a three-tier dining room overlooking the historic track. Summerside pairs its raceway with a renovated gaming floor of VLTs and the West End Bar & Grill.

That matters for planning: a race day can be built around the card, or racing can be one stop in a longer visit. Note that "year-round" in the source material describes the Charlottetown property overall, not a guarantee of year-round live racing — race dates follow the seasonal calendar, so check the current schedule before travelling for a specific card.

Common Questions Before You Go

Which location should I choose for racing? Charlottetown if you want betting, simulcast, or a climate-controlled grandstand. Summerside if you're interested in the older track and a smaller, locals-and-visitors bar-and-grill setting.

Do I need to be a casino guest to watch the races? The source material doesn't state a separate admission or guest requirement for racing, so treat access details as something to confirm with the property directly.

Can I combine racing with dining? Yes — dining is a listed feature at both properties, and table-side betting is explicitly offered.

Is there a rewards angle? Red Shores runs a Rewards Club that provides offers and benefits each time you play, and it publishes current promotions and events separately from the racing schedule.

For race dates, post times, and current promotions, use the Racing and Promotions sections of redshores.ca or contact the Charlottetown or Summerside property directly, since the source material does not list a fixed racing calendar.