Welcome back horses and horsemen to Emerald Downs! Horses on the track Monday morning, March 2, as training begins leading up to another year of great northwest racing and fun promotions. We’re getting closer to our 30th anniversary season’s Opening Day on Saturday, May 2. That is also Kentucky Derby day, so make plans to be here for all the excitement. First race on weekends is 1:50 pm.

Joe and Vince’s guests include Kevin Sengara, who experienced the ultimate thrills of northwest Thoroughbred racing as a youth when his father, Jeffrey Sengara, won the 1999 Longacres Mile with Budroyale. Kevin Sengara has put together an owner’s syndicate that is getting off to a fast start. Bob Cappelletti, Stable Manager for Washington Hall of Fame owner George Todaro, speaks to the return of 2025 Horse of the Meeting Aloha Breeze and many more promising youngsters for 2026.

New for 2026 - all kids 12 and under receive free admission every race day! Go to emeralddowns.com and get a great deal on a live racing Season Pass. It’s just $55 for 51 days of live racing, plus an additional 20 more daily passes are included. Joining Joe and Vince on the first pod of '26 are Katie Merwick of Second Chance Ranch and also top breeder Debbie Pabst, who speaks to her new stallion this year at Blue Ribbon Farm in Buckley.

2026 milestones on the horizon at Emerald Downs! Horses begin arriving in the stable area on February 27 and the first day of track training is less than four weeks away, March 2. The annual WTBOA banquet, open to the public, is Saturday evening Feb. 28. Opening Day for live racing is Saturday, May 2, which is also Kentucky Derby day.

Happy Holidays from Emerald Downs! It’s simulcasting season and the 5th floor is open seven days a week for all the great race meetings currently in action. Santa Anita’s opening day is Sunday, 12-28, and they’ll race seven of the first eight days out of the blocks. Other top tracks to follow are Aqueduct, Gulfstream, Fair Grounds, Tampa, Oaklawn and, of course, Turf Paradise in Phoenix, where so many EmD horses and horsemen dot the race cards.

Frank Mirahmadi and Dan Jukich join Joe and Vince on this edition of Horseracing NW. Mirahmadi calls the action at Santa Anita (also Saratoga) and gives tips on how to improve an announcer’s trade. Also, great stories from his 30 years of race calling. Jukich has been calling several years more than Frank, he at Hastings in Vancouver B.C. Bad news on the future of that track announced recently, he’ll fill us in on that and more. Go to emeralddowns.com for a great deal on season tickets for 2026!

Emerald Downs is open seven days a week for full card simulcasting. Follow many of the top horses and trainers from our 2025 meeting at Turf Paradise, whose schedule includes Monday and Tuesday racing. Many other tracks in operation include Del Mar, Aqueduct and Churchill Downs with Tampa and Fair Grounds opening this week. 2026 Emerald Downs racing dates are official – May 2 to September 7. Vince goes over the all the details .

This week’s guests include Delta Downs Track Announcer and Handicapper Don Stevens, who speaks to Delta’s upcoming, all-wager 10% takeout days. Those wagers are effective next Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 25-26, first race 10:55 am EmD time. There’s also Joe Nevills, Bloodstock Editor for the Paulick Report. Nevills is a Thoroughbred fan from his young days in Michigan and he enthusiastically goes over some under-the-radar sires and previews his “All Value Sire Team,” reports coming on December 1.

It's Breeders’ Cup weekend! Catch the action on Emerald Downs 5th floor, with various seating options, tv screens and wagering windows. Seating is first-come, first-served both Friday and Saturday. Gates open 8:30 am on Friday, 8:00 on Saturday. Free parking and free admission for simulcasting and also for the Holiday Gift Fest, Saturday and Sunday, November 8-9. 10-4 each day. Get your Christmas shopping done early! Bring a non-perishable item to support the Auburn Food Bank.

Jon White and Anthony Stabile are Joe and Vince’s traditional Breeders’ Cup handicapping guests and they’re back on this week’s podcast. Get some great info from two of the top ‘cappers available (and maybe a story or two, too!).

Tom Wenzel and Dan Jukich join Joe and Vince on the pod. Trainer Wenzel had a monumental closing day and 2025 season. He won three stakes on the card (for the second time at the meeting) Sept. 7, tying Doris Harwood for most stakes wins in track history at 67. Jukich, Track Announcer and Publicist, goes over Hastings events and their final two days of racing. Emerald Downs Fifth Floor is open seven days a week for full card simulcasting. Great racing this fall from California, New York, Kentucky and elsewhere. You’ll many local horses and horseman in action when Turf Paradise begins on Monday, November 10.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner and so is Emerald Downs Holiday Gift Fest! Be at the track on Saturday and Sunday, November 8-9, 10 am to 4 pm. Outstanding gift ideas and holiday shopping is the fare. Free admission for all and a few spots for vendors remain. Also, if you’re planning a holiday party, EmD should be considered. Contact Group Sales at 253-288-7700.

Emerald Downs just closed a very successful 2025 season! Track President Phil Ziegler joins Joe and Vince to go over the highlights. With the arrival of many northern California-based trainers this spring, field size was up nearly one horse per race, leading toward a large increase in handle. Ziegler’s stakes schedule and promotional ideas also led to an outstanding season with attendance. A look to the future, too.

Top northwest handicapper Jon Lindley also joins the show, giving his keen insight on 2025 events on the track. Emerald Downs remains open for full card simulcasting Wednesday through Sunday and goes to seven days a week in October. Joe doesn’t forget the popular Triva Question this time around!

Closing weekend for 2025 is upcoming at Emerald Downs! Four stakes on Sunday included in the first 12-race card in state history. Who’s this year’s Horse of the Meeting? Si That Tiger is the only two-time stakes winner to date but there are many chasers. Speaking of the chase … there are carryovers Friday night in the Pick-5, Jackpot Pick-6 and Pentafecta.

Oktoberfest is here Friday, Saturday and Sunday for fans! Wear Oktoberfest gear of any type for free admission. Sign up to try and win among the Stein Hold, Barrell Roll and Hammerschlagen. Prizes in those events all weekend. Former Seattle Supersonic James Donaldson is here for a book signing on Saturday and see top honors awarded in horse and human categories throughout Sunday’s card.

Hard to believe? The 2025 Emerald Downs season is winding down. But before it does, much more activity at and on the track to look forward to. This Saturday is another “Dollar Day,” with plenty of specials at concession stands while Sunday is Italian Day with bocce ball, Italian dancers, music, food, beverage and – the pizza eating contest. Closing day Sept. 7 and its four stakes races will offer plenty of end-of-the-meeting excitement.

This week’s guests on Horseracing NW include former Seattle Sonic and longtime NBA player James Donaldson, who’ll be signing his book “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” at Emerald Downs on Saturday, Sept. 6. Also Scott Hanson, Seattle Times horse racing writer, who’s features and Longacres Mile coverage have added interest to a sport he’s been passionate for since a young age. On the track Friday, there’s both Pick-5 and Jackpot Pick-6 carryovers.

Congratulations to Arrowthegreat, winner of last week’s Longacres Mile! The betting favorite came up the inside in the last quarter-mile to win going away over Clovisconnection, who was runner-up for the second consecutive year. This Sunday sees the return of the Owners’ Handicap with its conditions of five furlongs and “catch weights.” Past winners include Chinook Pass, Trooper Seven and Snipledo at Longacres and L.J. Express, Makors Mark and Starbird Road at EmD.

It's Wiener Dog Sunday at Emerald Downs and also “Dollar Days” each of the next two Saturdays. Guests this week on HRNW include: WTBOA President Dana Halvorson as he previews the August 26 yearling sale at the WTBOA Pavilion, just up the street from Emerald Downs; and The “Big A” Anthony Stabile with his look at Saratoga’s Travers card this Saturday.