Spectator Sports in Ocean City, MD

Horse Racing

Four miles west of Ocean City, Ocean Downs, 10218 Racetrack Rd. (Rte. 589), just off Route 50, in Berlin (tel. 410/641-0600; www.oceandowns.com), features up to 10 harness races Wednesday through Sunday nights June through August. Live racing runs from 7:25 to about 11pm. Simulcast TV racing from other tracks begins daily at noon year-round. Grandstand admission and parking are free. Clubhouse admission is extra. The racetrack is very kid friendly: Winning trotters are led to the winner's circle, where children gather around for a close look. A parade of horses starts each evening's races, with the lead horse getting close enough for the kids to pet. Many horses and their drivers are local, too. There's also a restaurant and lounge, as well as the slots parlor opening in 2010.