Emerald Downs Racetrack & Casino has announced 28 stakes events worth an aggregate $1,515,000 in purses for its 2020 live racing season that begins Saturday, April 18.
The 85th renewal of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Grade 3) on Sunday, Aug. 9 – earliest date ever for the Northwest’s premier race – anchors the second annual Championship Sunday featuring stakes races in four divisions. In addition to The Mile, Championship Sunday includes the $50,000 Emerald Distaff, $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby, and $50,000 Washington Oaks.
A second stakes quadruple-header is offered Sunday, July 12, featuring the $50,000 Mt. Rainier Stakes for older horses, $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.
The Mt. Rainier at 1 1/16 miles is the final local tune-up for the Longacres Mile.
As usual, stakes action heats up in the latter half of the 63-day meeting, with 20 stakes scheduled during July, August and September.
The 2020 schedule offers 10 stakes 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.
In 2019, stakes races averaged a healthy 8.5 runners with a $10.60 average $2 win payoff.
The xpressbet.com Washington Cup will feature six stakes races over three weekends — Aug. 30, Sept. 6 and Sept. 13 — and offer $300,000 in aggregate purses for Washington breds.
The $80,000 Gottstein Futurity at 1 1/16 miles is the biggest race of the season for 2-year-olds on Sunday, Sept. 20, while the 10th renewal of the $40,000 Bank of America Emerald Championship Challenge is offered for Quarter Horses on Sunday, Aug. 23.
Indian Relay also returns in 2020. The fifth annual Muckleshoot Gold Cup — featuring Indian Tribes from throughout the western United States and Canada — is scheduled Friday, June 19, Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21.
Training for the Emerald Downs’ season begins Monday, Feb. 3.
2020 Emerald Downs Stakes Schedule
28 Stakes: $1,505,000
Date, stakes, purse
Sunday, May 10: Seattle Stakes (3-year-old fillies) • 6 furlongs • $35,000
Sunday, May 17: Auburn Stakes (3YO colts and geldings) • 6 F • $35,000
Sunday, May 24: Hastings Stakes (3&UP fillies and mares) • 6 F • $35,000
Sunday, May 31: Governor’s Stakes (3&UP) • 6 F • $35,000
Sunday, June 7: Kent Stakes (3YO F) • 6½ F • $50,000
Sunday, June 14: Irish Day Stakes (3YO C&G) • 6½ F • $50,000
Sunday, June 21: WA State Legislators Stakes (3&UP F&M) 6½ F • $50,000
Sunday, June 21: Budweiser Stakes (3&UP) • 6½ F • $50,000
Sunday, July 5: Coca-Cola Stakes (3YO F) • 1 1/16 mile • $50,000
Sunday, July 5: Seattle Slew Stakes (3YO C&G) • 1 1/16 M • $50,000
Sunday, July 12: Mt. Rainier Stakes (3&UP) • 1 1/16 M • $50,000
Sunday, July 12: Boeing Stakes (3&UP F&M) • 1 1/16 M • $50,000
Sunday, July 12: Angie C Stakes (2YO F) • 5½ F • $50,000
Sunday, July 12: King County Express (2YO C&G) • 5½ F • $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 9: Washington Oaks (3YOF) • 1 1/8 M • $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 9: Muckleshoot Derby (3YO) • 1 1/8 M • $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 9: Emerald Distaff (3&UP F&M) • 1 1/8 M • $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 9: Longacres Mile (G3) (3&UP) • 1 M • $200,000
Sunday, Aug. 16: Barbara Shinpoch Stakes (2YO F) • 6 F • $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 16: WTBOA Lads Stakes (2YO C&G) • 6 F • $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 23: Bank of America Challenge (3&UP) • 440 Y • $40,000
Sunday, Aug. 30: WA Cup Sophomore Filly • 1 M • $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 30: WA Cup Sophomore Colt & Gelding • 1 M • $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 6: WA Cup Juvenile Filly • 6½ F • $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 6: WA Cup Juvenile Colt & Gelding • 6½ F • $50,000
Sunday, Sept.13: WA Cup Filly & Mare • 1 1/16 M • $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 13: Muckleshoot Tribal Classic (3&UP) • 1 1/16 M • $50,000
Sunday, Sept 20: Gottstein Futurity (2YO) • 1 1/16 M • $80,000
