Seattle is a city that is passionate about its sport, with many leading teams calling the location its home. However, it also has close ties to the sport of horse racing, with Emerald Downs named after Seattle.
The track is located in Auburn, Washington, and is just half a mile east off Highway 167. Despite not being as glamorous as other locations for horse racing across North America, it has an esteemed history in the local region, and is a prominent social meeting spot for friends and family.
History
Emerald Downs is one of the newest in terms of date opened in the United States, as it has only held racing action since June 1996. The track immediately became a vital part of the region, as it run 100 days of racing between opening day and November.
The location was particularly poignant, as it replaced the much-loved Longacres Racetrack, which had housed horse racing action for 60 years prior to its closure in 1992. A two-year drought of racing following in Washington between 1993 and 1995, before plans were put in place for a new location in the region.
Racing action did take place at nearby courses at Yakima Meadows and Playfair Race Course in Spokane, but neither scratched the itch of horse racing fans in Washington.
Ownership
After it was officially opened in 1996, Emerald Downs was operated as a Limited Partnership among a group of investors, which was led by Ron Crockett. However, in 2002, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe would later purchase the land where the racecourse was situated.
Following this in 2015, the organisation would purchase track building and facilities to form Emerald Downs Racing. The Tribe have had a huge impact on the racing spectacle offered at the course, with massive infield screens erected, and major race days added to the calendar.
One of the most notable came in June 2016, as Emerald Downs put on a special event to make it 20th anniversary, with star performers from the track being paraded in front of fans.
Facilities
Emerald Downs takes inspiration from Mount Rainier when it comes to the style of the one-mile track circuit. The oval track is made up of a geo-textile fabric with washed rocks and sand. At present, there is no turf course located at Emerald Downs, meaning only dirt racing is run at the venue throughout the season.
A tote board is located inside the oval, while the in-field is designed to be a storm system that can accommodate the runoff for the entire south section of the racetrack.
Water picked up at the course has major sustainability perks, as it is released into Mill Creek to help combat the risks of flooding of track. It is also a habitat for many other animals during the winter months, as ducks and geese live at Emerald Downs during this period when the infield is under water.
Fans travelling to Emerald Downs can watch the racing action from the grandstand, which highlights its claims as being a modern day establishment for racing. Fans are able to reserve seats in the grandstand, which is always encouraged around the biggest race meetings of the season.
If you want to read how to bet on the Emerald Downs races you can check a quick guide by TwinSpires here: twinspires.com/betting-guides/what-do-horse-racing-odds-mean/
Horse Welfare
Like every track across the United States, horse welfare is vitally important at Emerald Downs. There are eleven barns at the course, with a massive 116 stalls for horses to take shelter before and after racing.
There are 12 hay storage areas, ten wash racks, and 22 tack storage areas. Horses will enter the paddock and saddling area before competing on the course, and this is located behind the main grandstand.
Horses will walk around the paddock before going into the saddling area. Welfare is vitally important at the track, and that is evidenced by the many areas for vets at Emerald Downs. Among the rooms available include a surgery suite, a radiology room, and a prep room for minor procedures.
Hall of Fame and Records
The Washington Racing Hall of Fame takes pride of place at Emerald Downs, and this can be visited by the public on the ground floor of the grandstand. Inductees are named every year, with the track’s official YouTube channel hosting highlights of the induction ceremony.
Horse racing action takes place at the track between April and September annually, and the major race on the schedule is the Longacres Mile. Many legendary jockeys have competed at Emerald Downs during its history, with names such as Gary Stevens, David Flores, and Russell Baze all taking a spin around the oval course.
However, few jockeys have achieved as much success as Juan Gutierrez. The rider holds a record 1,592 victories at Emerald Downs, with Gallyn Mitchell sitting second on the all-time list as the only other rider into four digits with 1,419 winners.
