Horse Racing NW

Saturday, June 20 is Emerald Downs 30th birthday. Get your free Bucket Hat with paid admission while supplies last. Also “Dollar Dogs” available on Saturday, a throwback to 1996. Be at the track Saturday for a 1:30 ceremony recognizing track investors, 30-year horsemen and 30-year employees. There’s also another Fab Friday this weekend, first race at 7 pm. Emerald Downs stakes races begin this Sunday! Races, plural, it’s a stakes quadruple-header with the top horses on the grounds in action. Aloha Breeze, defending Horse of the Meeting and Slew’s Tiz Whiz, two-time Horse of the Meeting, go in the Hastings Stakes and Budweiser Stakes respectively. Also carded is the Auburn Stakes for three-year-old colts and geldings and the Seattle Stakes for three-year-old fillies. 10 races in all beginning at 1:50 pm.

Hard to believe? The 2025 Emerald Downs season is winding down. But before it does, much more activity at and on the track to look forward to. This Saturday is another “Dollar Day,” with plenty of specials at concession stands while Sunday is Italian Day with bocce ball, Italian dancers, music, food, beverage and – the pizza eating contest. Closing day Sept. 7 and its four stakes races will offer plenty of end-of-the-meeting excitement. This week’s guests on Horseracing NW include former Seattle Sonic and longtime NBA player James Donaldson, who’ll be signing his book “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” at Emerald Downs on Saturday, Sept. 6. Also Scott Hanson, Seattle Times horse racing writer, who’s features and Longacres Mile coverage have added interest to a sport he’s been passionate for since a young age. On the track Friday, there’s both Pick-5 and Jackpot Pick-6 carryovers.

It’s Mile Week at Emerald Downs! The race of the year is Sunday when 10 older runners go to post in the 90th running of the Longacres Mile. Great story lines abound as usual and right at the top is the only Washington-bred in the race, Slew’s Tiz Whiz, running in his fourth consecutive Mile. Morning-line favorite at 9/5, he has a 2022 victory in the big race as well as third-place finishes the past two years. Trainer Tom Wenzel and owner Brian Malarkey join Joe and Vince on the pod. The final “Breakfast At the Wire,” is this Saturday, 8-10 am, rain or shine. Always great information at the show and free breakfast and coffee, too. This year’s class of the Washington Thoroughbred Hall of Fame has their ceremony Saturday at 1 pm. Each inductee – Paskey Dedomenico, Wasserman, El Dorado Farms and Mark Glatt - has a video presentation. Don’t forget the “Railbird Rally” Mile day morning, 11-12:30 in the Park area, north of the Paddock. Dean Mazzuca is your affable host!

“Breakfast at the Wire” is back for the next three Saturdays! Joe and Vince host the popular morning workout show, 8-10 am by the Paddock Grille. Guests include Track President Phil Ziegler and jockey Jennifer Whitaker. Along with prizes and trivia, there’s a complimentary breakfast, with a suggested donation of any size to the Prodigious Fund. Guest on this week’s show is Ken Alhadeff, owner of 2023-24 Longacres Mile champion Five Star General. When local race fans recount the most dramatic Longacres Mile finish or top horse to compete in the race, several thoughts, especially in the Emerald Downs era, would go directly to Five Star General. Alhadeff joyfully recaps last year’s victory and gives an update on Five Star General’s new career as a stallion.