The Emerald Downs Racetrack & Casino has announced a 27-race stakes schedule worth an aggregate $1,550,000 in purses for the 2019 racing season that begins Saturday, April 20.
The 84th renewal of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Grade 3) on Sunday, Aug. 11 – the earliest date ever for the Northwest’s premier race – anchors a championship Sunday quadruple-header featuring championship races in four separate divisions.
In addition to the Longacres Mile for 3-year-olds and up, Aug. 11 features the $50,000 Emerald Distaff for older fillies and mares, the $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby for 3-year-olds, and the $50,000 Washington Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. With the Distaff, Derby and Oaks all carded at 1 1/8 miles, the day features an unprecedented four two-turns stakes events.
“Having four championship races in one day is a compelling concept for fans and horsemen alike,” said Emerald Downs President Phil Ziegler. “The buildup should be a lot of fun.”
The majority of stakes are scheduled during the latter half of the 67-day meeting, with 22 stakes scheduled for July, August and September.
A second stakes quadruple-header is offered Sunday, July 21, featuring the $50,000 Mt. Rainer Stakes for older horses in a final tune-up for the Longacres Mile, $50,000 Boeing Stakes for older fillies and mares, the $50,000 King County Express for 2-year-old colts and geldings and the $50,000 Angie C Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.
The Xpressbet Washington Cup – six stakes for Washington-breds worth an aggregate $300,000 – features stakes double-headers on Sept. 1, 8 and 15. The new WA Cup format was an instant hit in 2018 with average field size of 8.2 runners.
Overall, stakes races averaged 8.0 runners in 2018 stakes with a $15.40 average $2 win payoff.
The 2019 schedule offers 10 stakes for older horses (five apiece for males and females), 10 for 3-year-olds (five apiece for males and females) and seven for 2-year-olds.
At 1 1/16 miles, the Gottstein is the lone route stakes for 2-year-olds and scheduled on closing day, Sunday, Sept. 22. The race offers $100,000 in total purse money, including $50,000 to eligible Northwest Racing Series horses. Non-eligible horses can be made eligible for NWRS funds via a $5,000 supplemental nomination which would be added to the Gottstein purse.
The ninth renewal of the 440-yard Bank of America Emerald Championship Challenge is offered for Quarter Horses on Sunday, August 25, part of a Quarter Horse triple-header also featuring the $25,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge at 350 yards and $15,000 Emerald Downs Distance Challenge at 870 yards.
Indian Relay Racing also returns in 2019. The fourth annual Muckleshoot Gold Cup – featuring Indian Tribes from throughout the western United States and Canada—is scheduled Friday, June 14, Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16. Each day features three heats, with total prize money $65,000 for the three-day event.
Emerald Downs’ opening day is Saturday, April 20, with post time 2 p.m. Stakes action begins Sunday, May 12 with the $50,000 Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
The stable area opens Friday, Feb. 1, with training beginning Monday, Feb. 4. The Quarter Chute Café opens Monday, Feb. 4.
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2019 EMERALD DOWNS STAKES SCHEDULE
Date, stakes, purse
Sunday, May 12 – Seattle Stakes (3YO F) 6F, $50,000
Sunday, May 19 – Auburn Stakes (3YO C&G) 6F, $50,000
Sunday, May 27 – Hastings Stakes (3&UP F&M) 6F, $50,000
Sunday, June 2 – Governor’s Stakes (3&UP) 6F, $50,000
Sunday, June 9 – Kent Stakes (3YO F) 6 ½ F, $50,000
Sunday, June 16 – Coca-Cola Stakes (3YO C&G) 6½ F, $50,000
Sunday, June 23 – WA State Legislators Stakes (3&UP F&M) 6½ F, $50,000
Sunday, June 30 – Budweiser Stakes (3&UP) 6 ½ F, $50,000
Sunday, July 14 – Irish Day Stakes (3YO F) 1-1/16 M, $50,000
Sunday, July 14 – Seattle Slew Stakes (3YO C&G) 1-1/16 M, $50,000
Sunday, July 21 – Mt. Rainier Stakes (3&UP) 1-1/16 M, $50,000
Sunday, July 21 – Boeing Stakes (3&UP F&M) 1-1/16 M, $50,000
Sunday, July 21 – Angie C Stakes (2YO F) 5 ½ F, $50,000
Sunday, July 21 – King County Express (2YO C&G) 5 ½ F, $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 11 – Washington Oaks (3YOF) 1-1/8 M, $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 11 – Muckleshoot Derby (3YO) 1-1/8 M, $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 11 – Emerald Distaff (3&UP F&M) 1-1/8 M, $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 11 – Longacres Mile (G3) (3&UP) 1M, $200,000
Sunday, Aug. 18 – Barbara Shinpoch Stakes (2YO F) 6F, $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 18 – WTBOA Lads Stakes (2YO C&G) 6F, $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 25 – Bank of America Challenge (3&UP) 440 Y, $35,000
Sunday, Sept. 1 – WA Cup Sophomore Filly Stakes 1M, $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 1 – WA Cup Sophomore C&G Stakes 1M, $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 8 – WA Cup Juvenile Filly Stakes 6 ½ F, $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 8 – WA Cup Juvenile C&G Stakes 6 ½ F, $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 15 – WA Cup Filly & Mare Stakes 1-1/16 M, $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 15 – Muckleshoot Tribal Classic 1-1/16 M. $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 22 – Gottstein Futurity (2YO) 1-1/16 M. $100,000
27 Stakes: $1,550,000
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