Horse Racing NW

Please support the local Thoroughbred and horse industry by indicating your support of Senate bill 5598, progressing at this time in the Washington legislature. Go to leg.wa.gov, find the bill (SB 5598) and click "pro" to support. This is the most important legislation for racing in decades. First big milestones of 2023 are upon us! The WTBOA Awards banquet is this Saturday evening at Emerald Down...

It's 100 days to Emerald Downs first day of racing in 2023, Saturday, May 6. That happens to be Kentucky Derby day and first race goes at 1 pm. Be aware that House Bill 1529 has bilateral support at the new Washington legislative session. If passed, horses and racing will receive tremendous annual financial benefits. Please contact your representative and senator to express support. Owner Fred Des...

Happy New Year from Emerald Downs! Jon White speaks to a strong opening of the Santa Anita winter meeting and adds some northwest history too. Patrick Kerrison, former EmD Director of Media Relations, has personal thoughts on the recent passing of his father Ray Kerrison, renowned and respected turf writer. Toss in Washington horse information and trivia, too. "Dancing at the Downs" returns on Fri...

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas from Emerald Downs! Racing dates are out for the 2023 season, Opening Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 6. Yes, Opening Day is Kentucky Derby Day. This month, go to emeralddowns.com for discounts on 2023 season passes and for info on "Dancing At the Downs." Live music returns on the 5th floor Friday night, December 30, with the Sonic Funk Orchestra. Get your ticket...

Emerald Downs is ready for the Breeders' Cup! Gates open Friday, Nov. 4 at 8:00 am and at 7:00 am on Saturday, Nov. 5. Get your meals at "Quick Pix," on the 5th Floor, opening each day at same times. On Saturday, the 3rd Floor is open as well. Joe and Vince remember Victor "The Predictor" Cozzetti, who passed recently after 50 years in horse racing media. They're also joined by season-long podcast...

The Simulcasting Season is here and beginning Monday, October 3, Emerald Downs is open seven days a week for full cards from around north America. Join us on the 5th Floor to follow Washington-bred horses, local trainers and the best racing from all points. Joe and Vince recap closing week for the 2022 meeting including the fifth match-up between heavyweight Washington-breds Slew's Tiz Whiz and Pa...

It's closing weekend for the 2022 Emerald Downs race meeting and fans will see many of the top stars in action. Longacres Mile hero Slew's Tiz Whiz races against Papa's Golden Boy for the fifth time this year in Sunday's Muckleshoot Tribal Classic. Reigning Washington Horse of the Year Blazingbellablu contests the Washington Cup Filly/Mare race and top two-year-old at the meeting may be decided in...

It's the last three-day weekend of racing at Emerald Downs for the 2022 meeting, this Sept. 9-10-11. The last "$1,000 KJR-Seattle T-Birds Horseshoe Toss" is on Friday night while Sunday, 9-11, is "First Responder Day." All first responders and active or retired military get in for free. Mike Man's Gold, the track's all-time winningest horse, will be officially retired on Sunday. He won 26 times at...

The Longacres Mile winner returns! Slew's Tiz Whiz, Washington-bred hero of the 87th Mile on August 14, returns in this Sunday's featured allowance at one mile & seventy yards. Slew's Tiz Whiz meets Mile favorite Top Executive and third-place finisher Five Star General among the field of eight. That new race distance will be unveiled for the first time at Emerald Downs on Friday night, September 2...

The Washington Cup begins at Emerald Downs this Sunday with two juvenile sprint stakes. Miss Dynamic heads the filly field while it's Runnin Out of Days, the top name among colts/geldings. Anthony "The Big A" Stabile speaks to Saratoga's outstanding Travers day card. Hear from trainer Nick Lowe, who had the one-two finishers in the 2021 Bank of America Challenge Championship, Cm Once Ina Bluemoon...

On this week's show, a recap of the 87th Longacres Mile, won impressively by Washington-bred Slew's Tiz Whiz. His trainer, Tom Wenzel, is a guest and you may be surprised at Wenzel's record in Washington's premiere race. WTBOA President Dana Halvorson previews next Tuesday's sale, beginning at 1 pm (there's a sister to Slew's Tiz Whiz among the yearlings!). And, Robert Geller previews Sunday's Que...

It's Longacres Mile week at Emerald Downs! The Mile, 12-horse field is set with defending champion Background as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. The Washington Oaks, Emerald Distaff and Muckleshoot Derby complete the schedule for an all stakes Pick-4 that has 42 horses competing. Plenty of Mile talk from Joe and Vince and track announcer Bill Downes, who's preparing to call his first Mile. Scott Ha...

The 87th Longacres Mile is just around the corner, Sunday, August 14. Talk turns to the Mile for Joe, Vince and Bill - along with renowned Mile historian and handicapper Jon White as guest. A full field is expected for this year's Mile and included on the card is the Emerald Distaff, Washington Oaks and Muckleshoot Derby - an all-stakes Pick-Four. Traditional Mile events are back including "Breakf...

The Governor's Stakes, Washington State Legislators Stakes and 80 Corgis highlight action on the track at Emerald Downs this weekend. Ultra-fast sprinter Papa's Golden Boy seeks to defend his Governor's title and head to the August 14 Longacres Mile as the local favorite. Register on the 5th floor for Saturday's handicapping contest, a $40 entry. Live-money Win-Place wagers on Emerald Downs and De...

Another upcoming weekend of top races and special events at Emerald Downs! Racing is highlighted Sunday by the Kent Stakes for three-year-old fillies and the Irish Day Stakes for three-year-old colts and geldings. Sunday is our annual Irish Day and prior to that we'll have a British-themed Saturday. Seniors 60+ get in for half-price every Saturday. Equine Art on Track Level all weekend. Paul Beatt...

Get a recap and preview of Emerald Downs each week on "Horseracing Northwest." For a supplement to the podcast, check out "News & Notes" at emeralddowns.com, updated in detail each week by Vince Bruun. Bob Cappelletti, Stable Manager for Washington Hall of Fame owner Dr. George Todaro, joins Joe, Vince and Bill. A Two-Year-Old doubleheader this Sunday at Emerald Downs with the Angie C. Stakes and...

Combine your horse racing with fireworks at Emerald Downs this Holiday weekend. Racing Friday night, Saturday afternoon and special Sunday post time at 5 pm - followed by the annual July 3, Xfinity Fireworks Spectacular! Very limited tickets available, go to emeralddowns.com for access to one great show. Trainer Blaine Wright, winner of three of the first four stakes races at the current meeting,...

Indian Relay racing and the Muckleshoot Gold Cup return to Emerald Downs this Friday-Saturday-Sunday, June 17-19! Fantastic horsemanship, athleticism and competition on display throughout the entire weekend. All former Gold Cup Champions are back, with 18 teams total from around the west and across the northern tier to the Dakotas. This Friday night has the first Pick 5 carryover of the meeting. T...

The Emerald Downs meeting heads into another three-day weekend of action. First race on our initial "$5 Friday" is 7 pm, with Saturday and Sunday racing at 2 pm. We're just a week away from the first stakes races of the meeting - the Seattle for three-year-old fillies and the Auburn for three-year-old colts and geldings on June 19. And, great excitement over June 17-18-19 with the Muckleshoot Gold...

Get your Friday night T-Shirt this Friday, June 3 at Emerald Downs. Free admission on all following Fridays wearing this T-Shirt! First race 7 pm. Nick Rousso joins Joe, Vince and track announcer Bill Downes. Rousso outlines the Breyer Speed Figure process, he the Beyer maker for EmD. Selections, Sport Shorts and trivia too.

Racing is back at Emerald Downs and the weekend of May 21-22 was a spectacular example! Good weather (finally) brought great crowds, good wagering handle and top track performances. Jockey Kevin Radke, winner of a record-tying six wins on Saturday, is the guest. Joe, Vince and new track announcer Bill Downes preview Saturday's feature race. Second, Third and Fourth-place finishers from last summer...

This weekend is "Teacher Appreciation Weekend" at Emerald Downs, and all state school district employees receive free admission with district I-D cards. Expecting dry weather on Saturday, the Emerald Downs jockeys will be introduced in the Paddock prior to the first race. An outstanding riding colony this year! Washington Hall of Fame trainer Howard Belvoir is Joe & Vince's guest on this edition o...

Opening Day is Sunday! First race 2:00 pm to start the new meeting with a 20% purse increase from last year and a nationwide low 14.7% takeout on Win, Place and Show wagers. Get an Emerald Downs Magnetic Calendar when you arrive and also fill out your entry blank for prize drawings. Chef Scott is putting out an outstanding product, wherever and whenever you purchase a meal. New EmD Track Announcer...

Opening Day at Emerald Downs for live racing is Sunday, May 15. Get a magnetic calendar and fill out your entry blank for prize drawings on Opening Day. We're ready for a great meeting with purses up 20% over 2021 and all fan-favorite promotions are back. Also, Roger LeBlanc of lazybettorusa.com joins Joe and Vince for his keen insight into Saturday's Run for the Roses.

Make plans to be at Emerald Downs for the 148th Kentucky Derby, coming Saturday, May 7. Free admission all day and the 5th floor opens at 7 am for first-come, first-served seating. Track Level and the Third Floor open at 11 am. It'll be a party atmosphere on Track Level starting at 11:30 and the Fabulous Hat Contest is back. Get a wager on your favorite horse and watch the Derby on our huge screen...