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.