Emerald Downs facts for kids
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| Location | Auburn, Washington, United States |
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| Coordinates | 47°19′44″N 122°14′02″W / 47.32889°N 122.23389°W |
| Owned by | Muckleshoot Indian Tribe |
| Date opened | June 20, 1996 |
| Course type | Thoroughbred flat racing |
| Notable races | Longacres Mile |
Emerald Downs is a fun Thoroughbred horse racetrack in Auburn, Washington. It's located near Highway 167. The track gets its name from Seattle, which is known as the Emerald City. It's a place where fast horses and skilled jockeys compete!
Contents
History of Emerald Downs
Emerald Downs first opened its gates on June 20, 1996. This was a big day for horse racing fans in Washington. The track took the place of Longacres Racetrack, which had closed a few years earlier in 1992. For a short time, there were no horse races in Western Washington.
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe bought the land where Emerald Downs sits in 2002. Later, in 2015, they also bought the track buildings and facilities. Since then, they have made many cool improvements. One big change was adding a huge video screen in the middle of the track. Emerald Downs celebrated its 20th birthday on June 20, 2016, with a special night of races.
What Emerald Downs Looks Like
Emerald Downs has many different parts. These include the race track itself, a large grandstand for fans, and special areas for the horses.
The Race Track Oval
The main race track at Emerald Downs is a one-mile (1.6 km) oval. You can even see Mount Rainier in the background! The track surface is made of special materials like geo-textile fabric and sand. There is no grass track here, only this unique surface. A large scoreboard, called a tote board, is in the center of the oval.
The area inside the track is also special. It helps manage rainwater from the entire property. This system tests the water before releasing it into Mill Creek. This helps prevent flooding. In the fall and winter, this area often fills with water. It becomes a home for ducks, geese, and other small animals.
The Grandstand for Fans
The Emerald Downs Grandstand is a modern building where people watch the races. On the ground floor, there's general seating. There's even a grassy park area with free activities for kids on weekends, if the weather is nice. Higher up, on the third and fifth floors, you can find special box and reserved seats.
You can place bets at special windows on each floor. There are also many places to buy food and drinks throughout the building.
Barn Area for Horses
The barn area is where the racehorses live and get ready. There are 11 barns, and each one is a complete home for the horses and their caretakers. Each barn has 116 stalls for horses. These stalls are 10 feet by 12 feet (3 by 3.6 meters) and have padded walls to keep the horses safe. There are also areas for storing food and equipment, offices for trainers, and rooms for grooms.
Paddock and Saddling Area
Next to the grandstand is the paddock and a covered area where horses are saddled. Before each race, spectators can watch the horses here. The horses walk through the paddock, then into the saddling area. Their saddles are put on, and they walk around a few more times. Finally, the jockeys get on, and the horses head to the race track.
Equine Hospital
Emerald Downs has a special hospital just for horses! It's called the Morris J. Alhadeff Equine Hospital. This modern facility helps keep the racehorses healthy. It has a surgery room, recovery rooms, an X-ray room, and even an isolation stall for horses with contagious illnesses.
Washington Racing Hall of Fame
Inside the grandstand, you'll find the Washington Horse Racing Hall of Fame. This is a special place that honors people and horses who have achieved great things in racing. People are recognized as jockeys, trainers, horses, breeders, or for their lifetime achievements. Some famous people honored here, like Russell Baze, are also in the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame.
Horse Racing at Emerald Downs
Emerald Downs hosts live Thoroughbred horse races during the spring and summer. In 2025, the racing season will run from late April or early May until September. Races usually happen on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the summer. There are typically 7-8 races on weeknights and 10 races on weekend days.
The biggest race at Emerald Downs is the Longacres Mile. Besides Thoroughbred races, Emerald Downs also has Quarter Horse races. They even host exciting Indian Relay Racing every year on Father's Day Weekend!
Top Jockeys
Jockeys are the riders who guide the horses in races. Many talented jockeys have raced at Emerald Downs.
- Juan Gutierrez is the all-time leading rider with 1,592 wins!
- Jennifer Whitaker is the top female rider with 525 wins.
- Ricky Frazier set a record in 2007 with 157 wins in one season.
- Two jockeys, Seth Martinez and Kevin Radke, share the record for winning six races in a single day.
- Famous jockeys like Laffit Pincay Jr. and Russell Baze have also competed here.
| Rank | Jockey | Career Wins 1996–2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Juan Gutierrez | 1,592 |
| 2 | Gallyn Mitchell | 1,419 |
| 3 | Ricky Frazier | 886 |
| 4 | Leslie Mawing | 821 |
| 5 | Kevin Radke | 669 |
| 6 | Javier Matias | 658 |
| 7 | Rocco Bowen | 619 |
| 8 | Frank Gonsalves | 561 |
| 9 | Jennifer Whitaker | 525 |
| 10 | Ben Russell | 501 |
| 11 | Jose Zunino | 470 |
| 12 | Debbie Hoonan | 439 |
| 13 | Kevin Krigger | 424 |
| 14 | Nate Chaves | 417 |
| 15 | Pedro Alvarado | 400 |
Top Trainers
Trainers are the people who prepare the horses for races.
- Frank Lucarelli and Tim McCanna are the top two trainers with the most wins at Emerald Downs.
- Doris Harwood holds the record for the most money earned in a single season by her horses. She also has the most stakes wins (important races) at the track.
| Rank | Trainer | Career Wins 1996–2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frank Lucarelli | 1,169 |
| 2 | Tim McCanna | 976 |
| 3 | Howard Belvoir | 828 |
| 4 | Jim Penney | 662 |
| 5 | Sharon / Larry Ross | 596 |
| 6 | Doris Harwood | 561 |
| 7 | Blaine Wright | 503 |
| 8 | Tom Wenzel | 472 |
| 9 | Vince Gibson | 443 |
| 9 | Roy Lumm | 443 |
| 11 | Joe Toye | 426 |
| 12 | Charlie Essex | 407 |
Top Owners
These are the people or groups who own the racehorses.
| Rank | Owner | Career Wins 1996–2015 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ron Crockett Inc. | 246 |
| 2 | Sue & Tim Spooner | 172 |
| 3 | Larry & Veralene Hillis | 155 |
| 4 | Howard Belvoir | 144 |
| 5 | Billie Klokstad | 129 |
| 6 | Dunn Bar Ranch | 121 |
| 7 | Northwest Farms | 108 |
| 8 | Homestretch Farms Inc. | 104 |
| 9 | Seawind Stables LLC | 102 |
| 10 | Hern/LePley Racing | 101 |
Amazing Horses
Many incredible horses have raced at Emerald Downs.
- Wasserman has earned the most money in races at the track, with over $575,000!
- West Seattle Boy holds the record for the most wins, with 21 trips to the winner's circle.
- Noosa Beach has won the most stakes races, with 11 victories.
- In 2015, Stryker Phd became the first horse to win the Longacres Mile twice at Emerald Downs.
Horses with the Most Wins
| Rank | Horse | Career Wins 1996–2015 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Seattle Boy | 21 |
| 2 | Olympic Lights | 17 |
| 3-tie | Market Master | 16 |
| 3-tie | Bob Stories | 16 |
| 3-tie | Buddy Dave | 16 |
| 6-tie | Fleet Pacific | 15 |
| 6-tie | Seattle Game | 15 |
| 6-tie | Polish Dollar | 15 |
| 9-tie | Toobusytoocall | 14 |
| 9-tie | Kimos Friend | 14 |
Horse of the Year Winners
Each year, a special horse is named "Horse of the Meeting" for their great performance.
| Year | Horse |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Slew’s Tiz Whiz |
| 2022 | Slew’s Tiz Whiz |
| 2021 | Top Executive |
| 2020 | Dutton |
| 2015 | Stryker Phd |
| 2014 | Stryker Phd |
| 2013 | Herbie D |
| 2012 | Class Included |
| 2011 | Noosa Beach |
| 2010 | Noosa Beach |
| 2009 | Assessment |
| 2008 | Wasserman |
| 2007 | The Great Face |
| 2006 | Flamethrowintexan |
| 2005 | No Giveaway |
| 2004 | Demon Warlock |
| 2003 | Youcan'ttakeme |
| 2002 | Flying Notes |
| 2001 | Makors Mark |
| 2000 | Edneator |
| 1999 | No Curfew |
| 1998 | Wild Wonder |
| 1997 | Kid Katabatic |
| 1996 | Name for Norm |
Fastest Race Times
Horses at Emerald Downs have set some amazing speed records!
| Distance | Time | Horse | Age | Weight | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Yards | :15.560 | Jacango (QH) | 3 | 123 | August 15, 2015 |
| 350 Yards | :17.30 | Snip N Dale (QH) | 5 | 126 | September 25, 2010 |
| 400 Yards | :20.574 | Bh Country Chrome (QH) | 4 | 124 | August 29, 2015 |
| 440 Yards | :21.376 | Bh Lisas Boy (QH) | 3 | 121 | September 6, 2015 |
| 2 Furlongs | :212⁄5 | Midnight Cruiser | 2 | 118 | May 4, 2000 |
| :212⁄5 | Adventuresome Man | 2 | 118 | May 10, 2000 | |
| 870 Yards | :45.78 | Bleu Tarp | 6 | 122 | Sept. 14, 2012 |
| 41⁄2 Furlongs | :49.98 | Trackattacker | 2 | 118 | June 1, 2014 |
| 5 Furlongs | :552⁄5 | Jazzy Mac | 5 | 98 | August 20, 2000 |
| :552⁄5 | Victor Slew | 4 | 115 | August 24, 2003 | |
| :552⁄5 | Starbird Road | 4 | 119 | October 1, 2006 | |
| 51⁄2 Furlongs | 1:00.87(World Record) | Hollywood Harbor | 5 | 118 | April 22, 2012 |
| 6 Furlongs | 1:06:86 (State Record) | Kaabraaj | 4 | 123 | April 23, 2016 |
| 61⁄2 Furlongs | 1:12.94 (World Record) | I Keep Saying | 5 | 124 | July 27, 2014 |
| One Mile | 1:32.90 (State Record) | Point Piper | 6 | 118 | August 14, 2016 |
| 1 1/16 Mile | 1:393⁄5 (State Record) | Kid Katabatic | 5 | 123 | July 26, 1998 |
| 11⁄8 Mile | 1:452⁄5 (State Record) | Flying Notes | 3 | 122 | September 2, 2002 |
| 1 3/16 Mile | 1:572⁄5 | Andoras Attitude | 4 | 119 | August 25, 2005 |
| 11⁄4 Mile | 2:01 | Itstufftobegood | 4 | 124 | August 5, 2005 |
| 11⁄2 | 2:29 | Military Deputy | 5 | 120 | August 26, 2007 |
| 13⁄4 Mile | 3:02 | Itstufftobegood | 4 | 128 | September 18, 2005 |
| 2 Miles | 3:323⁄5 (State Record) | Horatio | 5 | 115 | September 20, 2004 |
Note: (QH) means Quarter Horse.
The Longacres Mile Race
The Longacres Mile Handicap is the most famous race at Emerald Downs. It was first created in 1935 by Joe Gottstein. He wanted a special one-mile race that would attract the best horses. The prize money was $10,000, which was a huge amount back then!
The first Longacres Mile had 16 horses competing. A horse named Biff, a grandson of the famous Man o' War, was expected to win. But a longshot named Coldwater surprised everyone and won the race! In 2008, a local horse named Wasserman won the Mile in a very close finish. In 2012, jockey Mario Gutierrez made history. He won both the Kentucky Derby and the Longacres Mile in the same year! Stryker Phd is another famous horse. He won the Longacres Mile two years in a row, in 2014 and 2015.
Other Important Races at Emerald Downs:
- Cahill Road Stakes (1951)
- Emerald Distaff (1996)
- Emerald Downs Derby (1934)
- Gottstein Futurity (1940)
- Governor's Handicap (1933)
- Muckleshoot Tribal Classic (1942)
- Seattle Stakes (1934)
- Seattle Slew Handicap (1977)
- Washington Oaks (1980)
Washington Cup Races:
- Washington Cup 2yo Colts & Geldings Stakes
- Washington Cup 2yo Filly Stakes
- Washington Cup 3yo Filly Stakes
- Washington Cup 3yo Filly & Mare Stakes
- Washington Cup 3yo Stakes
Other Fun Events
Emerald Downs isn't just for horse racing! They also host many other unique and fun events. These include special races, festivals, and community fundraisers.
One of the most exciting events is the T‑Rex World Championship Races. This event started in 2017 and has become very popular. People dress up in giant T-Rex costumes and race! By 2025, over 300 people participated. The races were even shown on ESPN2 as part of their "The Ocho" lineup. It's a really silly and fun event that gets a lot of attention!
