The horses are back

Thoroughbreds training begins at Emerald Downs

January 30, 2017 12:30 pm
Barkley and jockey Jennifer Whitaker take to the well-groomed track at Emerald Downs on Monday, the first official day of training at the Auburn oval. COURTESY PHOTO, Emerald Downs

More than 200 horses were on the grounds Monday as Thoroughbreds began training for the 2017 live racing season at Emerald Downs.

Barkley, ridden by Jennifer Whitaker, became the first horse on the track at 8:15 a.m. The track’s champion 3-year-old last year when he won three stakes and more than $110,000, the Munnings colt is a top contender for the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Grade 3) on Aug. 13.

Stable superintendent Vern Baze said 223 horses had been checked in as of 8 a.m., almost exactly the same as last year. The hope is to have a horse population over 1,000 by opening day, Saturday, April 8.

Trainers on hand Monday included Chris Stenslie, Tom Wenzel, Roy Lumm, Blaine Wright, Cliff Balcom, Jose Navarro, Vince Gibson, Terry Gillihan, and 2016 training champion Blaine Wright, currently third in the standings at Golden Gate.

Co-owned by trainer Howard Belvoir and Rising Star Stable, Barkley was 4-1-0 in five starts last year, missing a perfect season by a head to Opportunistic in the Emerald Downs Derby. So Lucky, the track’s champion 2-year-old of 2016, gives Belvoir a top contender in this year’s 3-year-old ranks. Owned by Pegasus Too and Rising Star Stable, So Lucky was 4-1-0 in five starts with earnings of $103,835.

According to Belvoir, Barkley and So Lucky began light training last month at Dunn Bar Ranch in Enumclaw and both should be ready for stakes action in May.

Opening day of training was streamed on Facebook Live with Emerald Downs President Phil Ziegler at the controls. Track mascot Emerald ED also was on hand for the event.

Since racing ended in September some 424 tons of silica sand – or one quarter-inch to the one-mile oval and chutes – has been added to the racing surface. According to track Vice President Jack Hodge the restoration is a semi-annual event, and helps level the surface to its original GPS grade.

The 70-day meeting begins with an opening night Fireworks show and features 30 stakes worth $1,685,000. The $50,000 Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies begins stakes action Sunday, May 7.

Training hours are 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, and fans can eat breakfast and watch training in the Quarter Chute Café.