For the Reporter
Emerald Downs Racetrack & Casino announced a 28-race stakes schedule worth an aggregate $1,450,000 in purses for the 2018 live racing season that begins Sunday, April 22.
The 83rd renewal of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Grade 3) is Sunday, Aug. 12, anchoring a stakes quadruple-header that also features the $50,000 Emerald Distaff for older fillies and mares, $50,000 WTBOA Lads Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings and $50,000 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.
The majority of stakes are scheduled during the latter half of the 67-day meeting, with a combined 20 stakes in July, August and September.
A second stakes quadruple-header is offered Sunday, July 15, featuring the $50,000 Mt. Rainer Stakes for older horses in a final tune-up for the Longacres Mile, $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 Xpressbet Washington Cup – six stakes for Washington-breds worth an aggregate $300,000 – will be held over three weekends, beginning Sunday, Sept. 2 with the $50,000 Juvenile Filly and $50,000 Juvenile Colts & Geldings, continuing Sept. 9 with the $50,000 Sophomore Filly and $50,000 Sophomore Colts & Geldings, and concluding Sept. 16 with the $50,000 Filly and Mare Stakes and $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic.
The $50,000 Washington Oaks and $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby, traditional championship events for 3-year-old fillies and 3-year-olds, will be contested at 1 1/8 miles on Sunday, July 22 and Sunday, July 29. The $50,000 Gottstein Futurity for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles is set for closing day, Sunday, Sept. 23.
Four overnight stakes – one each for 3-year-olds, 3-year-old fillies, older fillies and mares and 3-year-olds and up – kicks off the 2018 stakes schedule. The $30,000 Seattle Overnight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies is first up on Sunday, May 20.
Twenty-six stakes are scheduled Sundays, the exceptions the $50,000 Coca-Cola Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings on Saturday, June 16, and $30,000 Governor’s Overnight Stakes for 3-year-olds and up on Monday, May 28.
The 2018 stakes schedule offers 10 races 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. The eighth renewal of the 440-yard Bank of America Emerald Championship Challenge Sunday, Aug. 26 is the lone stakes for Quarter Horses.
Emerald Downs’ stable area opens Saturday, Feb. 2 with training beginning Monday, Feb. 5. Stall applications are available at emeralddowns.com in the horsemen section. Or call the Emerald Downs race office (253) 288-7751.
2018 EMERALD DOWNS STAKES SCHEDULE
28 Stakes: $1,450,000
Date, stakes, purse
Sunday, May 20 – Seattle Overnight Stakes (3YO F) 6 Furlongs, $30,000
Sunday, May 27 – Auburn Overnight Stakes (3YO C&G) 6F, $30,000
Monday, May 28 – Hastings Overnight Stake (3&UP F&M) 6F, $30,000
Sunday, June 3 – Governor’s Overnight Stakes (3&UP) 6F, $30,000
Sunday, June 10 – Kent Stakes (3YO F) 6½ F, $50,000
Saturday, June 16 – Coca-Cola Stakes (3YO C&G) 6½ F, $50,000
Sunday, June 17 – WA State Legislators Stakes (3&UP F&M) 6½ F, $50,000
Sunday, June 24 – Budweiser Stakes (3&UP) 6½ F, $50,000
Sunday, July 1 – Irish Day Stakes (3YO F) 1-1/16 Mile, $50,000
Sunday, July 8 – Seattle Slew Stakes (3YO C&G) 1-1/16 M, $50,000
Sunday, July 15 – Mt. Rainier Stakes (3&UP) 1-1/16 M, $50,000
Sunday, July 15 – Boeing Stakes (3&UP F&M) 1-1/16 M, $50,000
Sunday, July 15 – Angie C Stakes (2YO F) 5 ½ F, $50,000
Sunday, July 15 – King County Express (2YO C&G) 5½ F, $50,000
Sunday, July 22 – Washington Oaks (3YOF) 1-1/8 M, $50,000
Sunday, July 29 – Muckleshoot Derby (3YO) 1-1/8 M, $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 12 – Barbara Shinpoch Stakes (2YO F) 6F, $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 12 – WTBOA Lads Stakes (2YO C&G) 6F, $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 12 – Emerald Distaff (3&UP F&M) 1-1/8 M, $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 12 – Longacres Mile (G3) (3&UP) 1M, $200,000
Sunday, Aug. 26 – Bank of America Challenge (3&UP) 440 Yards, $30,000
Sunday, Sept. 2 – WA Cup Juvenile Filly Stakes 6½ F, $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 2 – WA Cup Juvenile C&G Stakes 6½ F, $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 9 – WA Cup Sophomore Filly Stakes 1M, $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 9 – WA Cup Sophomore Stakes 1M, $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 16 – WA Cup Filly & Mare Stakes 1-1/16 M, $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 16 – Muckleshoot Tribal Classic 1-1/16 M, $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 23 – Gottstein Futurity (2YO) 1-1/16 M, $50,000
