MOUNT GILEAD, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The Morrow County Chamber of Commerce is bringing the excitement of Churchill Downs to the local community with its 2026 “Night at the Races” Derby Day celebration, Friday, May 1, 5:30 p.m. at the Cardinal Center.
The event features actual horse races displayed on a projection screen, allowing attendees to participate in a realistic racing atmosphere complete with an announcer and betting windows. Prior to the event, ownership and naming rights for horses in the first 10 races are sold to local supporters, with winning owners receiving commemorative trophies.
Organizers noted that betting windows will accept $2 wagers for two categories: “Win” bets and “Perfecta” bets. While Win bets typically return between $5 and $15, the Perfecta prize pool offers a minimum $25 payout that rolls over to subsequent races if no winner is declared. These multi-race carryovers have historically resulted in payouts exceeding $200.
The evening concludes with a high-energy auction race. Ownership of the horses for the final heat remains vacant until the night of the event, when they are auctioned off to the highest bidders. In a tradition that supports local education, 50% of the auction proceeds will benefit the Chamber Scholarship fund, while the remaining 50% will be awarded to the owner of the winning horse.
Tickets are $40 per person. In addition to the racing, the event includes dinner, drinks, 50/50 drawings, and sideboards. Proceeds from the evening support the Chamber’s ongoing mission to foster business growth and educational opportunities within Morrow County.
To become a sponsor go to morrowchamber.com