Win Place Show

The Mile was Monumental and Memorable at Emerald Downs! Background's thrilling victory in the 86th running of the Longacres Mile is recapped by Joe and Vince. They're soon joined by trainer Sandi Gann who saddled Emerald Distaff winner Princess of Cairo and third-place Mile finisher Five Star General. Facts and Figures, selections and more trivia.



Upcoming, four stakes races this Sunday, August 22 at Emerald Downs. Juvenile fillies in the Barbara Shinpoch and juvenile males in the WTBOA Lads, both races at 6 1/2 furlongs. Also two Quarter Horse stakes - the Bank of America Challenge and the John Deere Juvenile Challenge. The Wiener Dog races join in the fun on Sunday!

It's Mile Week at Emerald Downs! Another tremendous edition of the Longacres Mile-gr3 is this Sunday, August 15. Positioning to the first turn could be key this year with several powerful speed horses among the 11 starters. Papa's Golden Boy drew post #1 and he'll face accomplished shippers Anyportinastorm, Background and Five Star General.



Background, owned by Bob Rondeau and trained by Mike Puhich (this week's guest), is the top 2021 earner in this year's field. Background's jockey, Rocco Bowenj, returns to Emerald Downs seeking his first Mile triumph. Bowen's won three jockey titles here and 31 stakes races but hasn't ridden at EmD since 2018. Jon White relates his lengthy history in the northwest's premier race and gives his selection.

The 86th Longacres Mile is just over a week away with nominations in and weights announced on Saturday. Background is here from the midwest, Five Star General from British Columbia and Anyportinastorm expected from southern California. Other shippers possible to take on Papa's Golden Boy and top local stars.



Trainer Chris Stenslie is this week's guest. From her barn comes possible Emerald Distaff favorite Daffodil Sweet and she's nominated Hard to Deny to the Mile. The "$1,000 Horse Toss" returns on Saturday nights and vote for the top horse in our first 25 years beginning Saturday. Check out "News and Notes" at emeralddowns.com, tons of EmD information updated weekly.

Great racing for the Thoroughbreds and the ever-popular Corgis dogs highlight this week at Emerald Downs. The annual WTBOA Summer Yearling and Mixed sale is Tuesday, August 24, and WTBOA President Dana Halvorson has information on the Sale and much more. Leading jockey Alex Cruz's track-record 46-day winning streak is recapped.



On-track action looks great for the upcoming week of Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The track's all-time leader in races won, Mike Man's Gold, heads the list in a competitive sprint on Thursday. Preps for the August 15 Longacres Mile and Emerald Distaff are on Saturday and Sunday brings a stakes-double header of top northwest three-year-olds. The Longacres Mile is the focus of "trivia" for the next few weeks.

Papa's Golden Boy is the best horse at Emerald Downs! Stakes races from July 11, won by Papa's Golden Boy and Daffodil Sweet, are recapped. Papa's Golden Boy, dominant winner of the Governor's Stakes, is #2 in Washington-bred earnings so far this year. He trails only Harbored Memories, who races in the Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar on Friday.



Owner Roy Schaefer is this week's Horse Racing NW guest. He and wife Ellie make up R.E.V. Racing, and Roy tells the story of the purchase of their Cobra Jet, likely favorite in this Sunday's King County Express Stakes for two-year-old colts and geldings. Also Sunday, the Angie C. Stakes for two-year-old fillies. Stats, selections and trivia, too.

Horse Racing NW previews the upcoming three-day race week at Emerald Downs, featuring a stakes doubleheader on Sunday. Guest trainer Candi Cryderman will saddle Squan's Kingdom in the Washington Legislators Stakes. The Governor's Stakes includes Papa's Golden Boy, Baja Sur, Windribbon and Unmachable. Marketing Manager Wes Petree tells the story behind EmD's outstanding new live-race graphics. Plus or minus for historical par times on internal fractions and final race times are instantly displayed.



New racing schedule beginning this week and for several following weeks at Emerald Downs. Thursday at 6 pm, Saturday 6:30 pm and Sunday 2:30 pm. Selections and trivia, too!

The first three-day week of racing is on tap at Emerald Downs. Wednesday and Thursday night at 6 pm and Saturday, July 3, at 6 pm. Last season's Horse of the Meeting, Dutton, is in action Wednesday night in race 7, part of an outstanding card that includes the meet's first two-year-old races. Guests include breeder-owner Petra Lewin and handicapper John Lindley.



Fireworks are back at Emerald Downs! Get your tickets at emeralddowns.com. Our traditional "fireworks spectacular," a fantastic south King County event is back on it's well-known night of July 3. Racing at 6 pm this Saturday, July 3, followed by one great fireworks show!

Fans back in force at Emerald Downs on Sunday, June 20, for Father's Day and EmD's 25th birthday celebration ceremony. The season's first four takes races are recapped, too. Papa's Golden Boy became the first 2021 Washington-bred stakes winner with his triumph over Baja Sur in the Budweiser.



No racing at Emerald Downs this Sunday, June 27, due to projected 100+ degree temperatures in western Washington. The Jackpot P-6 continues to grow, up to $64-k for racing on Wednesday, June 23. Joe and Vince are joined by DRF handicapper Michael Hammersly and new stakes winning breeder-owner Ron Bohlman. Bohlman's Ms Lynn took Sunday's Seattle Stakes with a furious finish.

Happy Birthday Emerald Downs! This Sunday, June 20, is the track's 25th birthday with a public ceremony leading up to the first race at 2:30. Hear reminisces about the track's first opening day in 1996. Jackpot Pick-6 wager growing ... carryover into Wednesday night racing is $39,492.



Stakes races begin this week with two Thursday night and two Sunday. Guests include historian and handicapper Jon White and EmD trainer Blaine Wright, who's out front in stakes wins over the past five seasons. Wright has runners in all four added events this week including Baja Sur returning to the northwest with a perfect 4-for-4 EmD record.

Week 3 Recap! Episode #33 by emeralddowns.com