{"id":32419,"date":"2018-01-12T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/sports\/emerald-downs-announces-2018-stakes-schedule\/"},"modified":"2018-01-12T13:30:00","modified_gmt":"2018-01-12T21:30:00","slug":"emerald-downs-announces-2018-stakes-schedule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/sports\/emerald-downs-announces-2018-stakes-schedule\/","title":{"rendered":"Emerald Downs announces 2018 stakes schedule"},"content":{"rendered":"
For the Reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n Emerald Downs Racetrack & Casino announced a 28-race stakes schedule worth an aggregate $1,450,000 in purses for the 2018 live racing season that begins Sunday, April 22.<\/p>\n The 83rd renewal of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Grade 3) is Sunday, Aug. 12, anchoring a stakes quadruple-header that also features the $50,000 Emerald Distaff for older fillies and mares, $50,000 WTBOA Lads Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings and $50,000 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.<\/p>\n The majority of stakes are scheduled during the latter half of the 67-day meeting, with a combined 20 stakes in July, August and September.<\/p>\n A second stakes quadruple-header is offered Sunday, July 15, 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, $50,000 King County Express for 2-year-old colts and geldings and $50,000 Angie C Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.<\/p>\n The Xpressbet Washington Cup – six stakes for Washington-breds worth an aggregate $300,000 – will be held over three weekends, beginning Sunday, Sept. 2 with the $50,000 Juvenile Filly and $50,000 Juvenile Colts & Geldings, continuing Sept. 9 with the $50,000 Sophomore Filly and $50,000 Sophomore Colts & Geldings, and concluding Sept. 16 with the $50,000 Filly and Mare Stakes and $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic.<\/p>\n The $50,000 Washington Oaks and $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby, traditional championship events for 3-year-old fillies and 3-year-olds, will be contested at 1 1\/8 miles on Sunday, July 22 and Sunday, July 29. The $50,000 Gottstein Futurity for 2-year-olds at 1 1\/16 miles is set for closing day, Sunday, Sept. 23.<\/p>\n Four overnight stakes – one each for 3-year-olds, 3-year-old fillies, older fillies and mares and 3-year-olds and up – kicks off the 2018 stakes schedule. The $30,000 Seattle Overnight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies is first up on Sunday, May 20.<\/p>\n Twenty-six stakes are scheduled Sundays, the exceptions the $50,000 Coca-Cola Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings on Saturday, June 16, and $30,000 Governor’s Overnight Stakes for 3-year-olds and up on Monday, May 28.<\/p>\n The 2018 stakes schedule offers 10 races 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. The eighth renewal of the 440-yard Bank of America Emerald Championship Challenge Sunday, Aug. 26 is the lone stakes for Quarter Horses.<\/p>\n