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 (G3) on Sunday, August 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. Rainer 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 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 Washington Cup will feature six stakes races over three weekends—August 30, September 6, and September 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, September 20, while the 10th renewal of the $40,000 Bank of America Emerald Championship Challenge is offered for Quarter Horses on Sunday, August 23.
Indian Relay Racing 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 2020 Emerald Downs’ season begins Monday, February 3.
2020 Emerald Downs Stakes Schedule
28 Stakes: $1,505,000
Date. . . .Stakes. . . .Purse
Sunday, May 10: Seattle Stakes (3YO F) 6F $35,000
Sunday, May 17: Auburn Stakes (3YO C&G) 6F $35,000
Sunday, May 24: Hastings Stakes (3&UP F&M) 6F $35,000
Sunday, May 31: Governor’s Stakes (3&UP) 6F $35,000
Sunday, June 7: Kent Stakes (3YO F) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sunday, June 14: Irish Day Stakes (3YO C&G) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sunday, June 21: WA State Legislators Stakes (3&UP F&M) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sunday, June 21: Budweiser Stakes (3&UP) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sunday, July 5: Coca-Cola Stakes (3YO F) 1-1/16 M $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) 5 ½ F $50,000
Sunday, July 12: King County Express (2YO C&G) 5 ½ 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) 1M $200,000
Sunday, Aug. 16: Barbara Shinpoch Stakes (2YO F) 6F $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 16: WTBOA Lads Stakes (2YO C&G) 6F $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 23: Bank of America Challenge (3&UP) 440 Y $40,000
Sunday, Aug. 30: WA Cup Sophomore Filly 1M $50,000
Sunday, Aug. 30: WA Cup Sophomore Colt & Gelding 1M $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 6: WA Cup Juvenile Filly 6 ½ F $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 6: WA Cup Juvenile Colt & Gelding 6 ½ F $50,000
Sunday, Sept.13: WA Cup Filly & Mare 1-1/16 M $50,000
Sunday, Sept. 13: Muckleshoot Tribal Classic 1-1/16M $50,000
Sunday, Sept 20: Gottstein Futurity (2YO) 1-1/16 M $80,000
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