You wake up on a Wednesday in mid-January, and if you’re a racing fan in the tri-state area, you know the vibe. It’s cold outside, but the betting windows—whether physical or digital—are starting to heat up. Finding tri state racing programs today live isn't just about looking at a schedule; it’s about knowing which tracks are actually moving dirt or turf right now.
Honestly, the "tri-state" label is kinda loose. Depending on who you ask, it’s New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, or maybe you’re out in the West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania pocket. Today, January 14, 2026, the action is spread out, and if you aren't careful, you’ll be staring at a "Closed" sign at your local track while the real money is moving elsewhere.
Where the Money is Moving Today
If you're looking for the heart of the action today, you’ve got to look at West Virginia. Mardi Gras Casino & Resort (the old Tri-State Greyhound Park) is the big player here. They’ve got a live slate of greyhound racing that basically anchors the midweek scene.
Post time is usually set for 6:00 PM ET. You’ve got a full card, typically 15 to 20 races. It’s fast. It’s loud. And for the degens among us, the 10-cent superfecta is basically a rite of passage.
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What's on the Program at Mardi Gras (Tri-State)
The program for January 14 is packed with some familiar names if you’ve been following the winter meet. We're seeing a lot of entries from the "Cet" and "Arkwild" kennels.
- Race 1 (Post 6:00 PM): Keep an eye on the 1-box. Early speed has been holding up well on this surface lately.
- The Mid-Card Sprints: Around Race 7 or 8, the energy usually shifts. You’ll see some of the Grade A dogs coming out to play.
- Wagering Options: You’ve got your standard Win/Place/Show, but the real ones are looking at the Twin-Tri or the Pick 4.
Horse Racing in the Greater Tri-State Area
Now, if you’re in the NY/NJ/CT tri-state, things look a little different. Today is a Wednesday. That means the big New York tracks like Aqueduct (The Big A) are often your primary focus for simulcast, even if the live "dark days" rotate.
However, for live harness racing, you’ve gotta look toward the neighborhood tracks. Yonkers Raceway is a staple, though they’ve recently enacted some new driving rules for the 2026 season that you should definitely check before you lay down a bet. Those rules are designed to keep the finishes tighter, but they can mess with your handicapping if you’re used to the old aggressive style.
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Over in Pennsylvania, Parx Racing is often live on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with a post time around 12:55 PM. It’s one of those tracks where the "today live" aspect is literal—you can catch the early afternoon Thoroughbred action before switching over to the dogs in the evening.
The Virtual Side of the Program
Let’s talk about iRacing for a second. I know, "it's not real cars," but the World of Outlaws iRacing Pro Qualifying Series is running right now (Jan 13-15) at Eldora Speedway. It's on the UI at 8:00 PM ET. Honestly, the betting handle on some of these high-level sim races is starting to rival the small dirt tracks. If you’re stuck at home in a blizzard, it’s a legit way to see a racing program today live.
What Most People Get Wrong About Tri State Racing Programs
Most folks think they can just show up at a track and find a program. In 2026, that’s a rookie move. Most of the "live" information has migrated to apps like NYRA Bets or the Off Track Betting (OTB) portals.
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If you're looking for tri state racing programs today live, you need to distinguish between "live on-site" and "live for wagering."
- Greyhounds: West Virginia is your spot for live evening cards.
- Harness: Look at the Meadowlands or Yonkers schedules; Wednesdays are often heavy on the simulcast side but keep an eye on those winter meet exceptions.
- Special Events: The Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa are happening right now (Jan 12-17). While not "tri-state" geographically, it’s the only thing every racing fan in the tri-state is watching today on FloRacing. The York Plumbing Qualifying Night starts at 4:00 PM ET today.
Technical Details for the Serious Player
When you're looking at the program, pay attention to the surface conditions. In mid-January, "Fast" doesn't always mean fast. A frozen base at a track like Mahoning Valley or Parx can create a "highway" on the rail.
At the Tri-State (Mardi Gras) dog track, the 550-yard distance is the standard. If you see a dog moving from the 660-yard "marathon" down to the 550, they might have the stamina, but they usually lack the "break" needed to clear the first turn. Don't get fooled by the class drop if they can't get out of the box.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you want to make the most of the racing programs available right now, here is your checklist:
- Check the Post Times: For the West Virginia dogs, you're looking at 6:00 PM. For afternoon Thoroughbreds at Parx or Aqueduct simulcast, you need to be ready by 12:30 PM.
- Update Your Apps: Ensure your OTB or NYRA Bets account is funded. There's nothing worse than seeing a 10-1 shot in the paddock and realizing your deposit is "pending."
- Watch the Weather: New York is seeing some wind today. That can affect the stretch run at Aqueduct, making it much harder for closers to gain ground against a headwind.
- Stream the Chili Bowl: Even if you aren't betting it, the qualifying races today are the best pure racing you’ll see all week. York Plumbing Qualifying Night is the highlight of this Wednesday.
The tri-state racing scene is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle in the winter. You’ve got to piece together the dog tracks in WV, the harness tracks in NY/NJ, and the big-event streams from out west. But if you’ve got the program in front of you and a live stream queued up, it’s a pretty good way to spend a Wednesday.