Bermudian harness racing ace Kiwon Waldron is set to kick-start his 2026 campaign in the United States, with Harrah’s Hoosier Park confirming the start of its qualifying season.
The Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA) has announced that qualifying races for the new year are scheduled to commence in late January. These sessions, which act as the traditional "curtain-raiser" for the professional season, will allow drivers and trainers to fine-tune their stock after the winter break. For Waldron, who has become a rising force on the US circuit, these qualifiers represent the first opportunity to build on a prolific 2025 that saw him record multiple hat-tricks and signature victories in the Midwest.
The qualifying window will run through early February, serving as a high-stakes preparation period before the pari-mutuel meet officially gets underway.
Following the preliminary qualifying rounds, the full 2026 racing season at Harrah's Hoosier Park is scheduled to officially begin on Thursday, February 12th.
The upcoming calendar is one of the most demanding in the sport, with live racing slated to run for over nine months, eventually concluding November 28th. The Anderson-based track remains a premier destination for the industry, having recently enhanced its facilities to support year-round training and mid-winter starts.
Waldron's inclusion in the Indiana season follows a standout year where he successfully balanced a busy schedule across both Trot and Pace classes. The 25-year-old, often referred to as "The Pride of Warwick," has drawn significant praise from US commentators for his tactical versatility and consistency in the sulky.
As the Indiana Standardbred community prepares for the "dress rehearsal" qualifiers in a few weeks' time, all eyes will be on whether Waldron can maintain the momentum that has seen him move from a rookie sensation to an established name in one of harness racing's most competitive regions.
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