Emerald Downs Boosts Purse For Longacres Mile To $150,000 In 2022

Emerald Downs has announced 21 stakes worth $1,245,000 in purses for its 2022 live racing season that begins Sunday, May 15.

The track's signature race, the Grade 3 Longacres Mile, has been boosted to $150,000 and anchors an Aug. 14 stakes quadruple-header also featuring the $75,000 Emerald Distaff, $75,000 Muckleshoot Derby, and $75,000 Washington Oaks. The purse for the Mile is $50,000 larger than last year while the Distaff, Derby and Oaks are all up $25,000 from 2021.

The older horse division begins with the $50,000 Budweiser Stakes (six furlongs) on Sunday, June 26, followed by the $50,000 Governor's Stakes (6 ½ furlongs) on Sunday, July 24, and the 87th running of the Longacres Mile.

The stakes schedule features six stakes twin bills, along with two quadruple-headers, and a closing day triple-header on Sunday, Sept. 18, featuring the $70,000 Gottstein Futurity, the track's top race for 2-year-olds.

The $50,000 Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and $50,000 Auburn Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings kick off stakes action on Sunday, June 19.

Seven stakes are offered for 2-year-olds—three apiece for colts and geldings and fillies—climaxing with the Gottstein Futurity at a mile and one-sixteenth.

Washington Cup features four stakes—$50,000 Washington Cup Juvenile Colts & Geldings and $50,000 Washington Cup Juvenile Fillies on Sunday, Aug. 28; $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic and $50,000 Washington Cup Fillies & Mares on Sunday, Sept. 18. Both 2-year-old races are restricted to Washington-breds while the older horse events are open to both Washington and British Columbia-breds.

In addition to 21 Thoroughbred stakes, Emerald Downs offers two stakes races for Quarter Horses—$30,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship for 2-year-olds at 350 yards and the 12th running of the $40,000 Bank of America Emerald Championship Challenge for 3-year-olds and up at 440 yards.

Opening day for the 2022 season is Sunday, May 15. The 52-day meet concludes Sunday, Sept. 18.

2022 EMERALD DOWNS STAKES SCHEDULE
Date. . . . . .Stakes. . . . . .Distance. . . . . .Purse
Sun June 19 Seattle Stakes (3YOF) 6F $50,000
Sun June 19 Auburn Stakes (3YO) 6F $50,000
Sun June 26 Hastings Stakes (3&UP F&M) 6F $50,000
Sun June 26 Budweiser Stakes (3&UP) 6F $50,000
Sun July 10 Angie C Stakes (2YOF) 5 ½ F $50,000
Sun July 10 King County Express (2YO C&G) 5 ½ F $50,000
Sun July 17 Kent Stakes (3YOF) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun July 17 Irish Day Stakes (3YO) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun July 24 Governor's Stakes (3&UP) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun July 24 WA State Legislators Stakes (3&UP F&M) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun Aug 7 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes (2YOF) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun Aug 7 WTBOA Lads Stakes (2YO C&G) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun Aug 14 Muckleshoot Derby (3YO) 1 1/16 M $75,000
Sun Aug 14 Washington Oaks (3YOF) 1 1/16 M $75,000
Sun Aug 14 Emerald Distaff (3&UP F&M) 1 1/16 M $75,000
Sun Aug 14 Longacres Mile (G3) (3&UP) 1M $150,000
Sun Aug 28 Bank of America Emerald Downs Challenge** (3&UP) 440Y $40,000
Sun Aug 28 John Deere Juvenile Challenge** (2YO) 350Y $30,000
Sun Aug 28 Washington Cup Juvenile Filly (2YOF WA) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun Aug 28 Washington Cup Juvenile Colts & Geldings (2YO WA) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun Sept 18 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic* (3& UP) 1 1/16 M $50,000
Sun Sept 18 Washington Cup Filly & Mare Stakes* (3&UP F&M) 1 1/16 M $50,000
Sun Sept 18 Gottstein Futurity (2YO) 1 1/16 M $70,000
*Washington & British Columbia bred
**Quarter Horse

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Life-Saving Act At Emerald Downs: Marshall Allen Earns RTCA’s White Horse Award

A hero is a person who is admired for courage, outstanding achievements, and noble qualities.  There are heroes throughout the horse racing industry and the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) recognizes these selfless servants annually through its RTCA White Horse Award.

This year's nominees were as follows:

  • Marshall Allen – Emerald Downs
  • Julie Berry – Blue Grass Farms Charities
  • Jonathan Estrada – Belmont Park
  • Nick Garafola & Veronica Gallardo – Belmont Park
  • Sebastian “Bas” Nichols – Ellis Park
  • Marvin Navas Prado – Ellis Park

The winner of this year's RTCA White Horse Award is Marshall Allen, who saved the life of a long-time owner at Emerald Downs.

On the morning of May 9, assistant trainer Marshall Allen was in the shed row walking to saddle a horse, when he observed a man collapse as he was walking by the barn. Without hesitation, Marshall dropped what he had in his arms and rushed to the scene.  The man who was in distress was long-time owner Jim Foulkes, a frequent visitor to the barn area. Marshall noticed the man's color turning blue and began to perform CPR.

Emergency Medical Technicians eventually arrived on the scene and took over; when they lost Foulkes heartbeat, they brought out the external defibrillator and urgently asked if anyone had a knife to cut open Foulkes shirt.  It was once again Marshall Allen who swiftly acted and pulled a knife from his pocket. Once Foulkes was stabilized, he was transported to the hospital. The prognosis at the time seemed dim, but later in the day they learned that Foulkes was on a respirator in a medically induced coma and was “hanging in there.” Prayers requests chains circulated the barn area and were sent to RTCA National.

By May 13, Foulkes was off of ventilator, breathing on his own and was making steady progress to recovery. On July 1, he was in the barn area and paid a visit to the Stenslie's barn to thank the man whose fast action saved his life.

I was told it was “a goosebumps moment” said MaryAnn O'Connell, Executive Director, Washington HBPA.  “Marshall was the perfect person to perform such a selfless act, putting himself aside”.

Due to Covid-19, the traditional White Horse Awards banquet were not able take place.  Therefore, Marshall and the other WHA nominees will be recognized at their respective locations by RTCA Chaplains and representatives.

For more information, please contact the RTCA National Service Center at (859) 410-7822.

More about the Race Track Chaplaincy of America – The overall mission of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), through its Councils and Chaplains, is to minister to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and educational needs of those persons involved in all aspects of the horse racing industry.  “Follow” us on Facebook.

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Emerald Downs Announces Claiming Bonuses For 2022

Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash. has announced a new incentive program for its 52-day race meeting in 2022.

Beginning with opening day May 15, 2022, all 3-year-olds and older that ran in any claiming race at least once at any track—including Emerald Downs—since Jan. 1, 2021, receive a $1,000 bonus ($750 to the horse owner, $250 to the trainer) in the horse's first start in any claiming race at Emerald Downs which must occur before July 1, 2022.

“It's important to extend bonuses to all horses,” track president Phil Ziegler said. “We appreciate shippers, of course, but we also recognize that some of our owners and trainers race exclusively at Emerald Downs. This bonus money helps offset their off-season expenses. For the horses that go out of state in the off season, this helps with the expense of bringing them back to Emerald Downs.”

Emerald Downs recently announced a 10 percent purse increase for the 2022 meeting—the track's second 10 percent increase since 2019.

Emerald Downs also announced other incentives for 2022:

• Initial stall bedding will be provided for all horses arriving prior to starting day.

• All hot walkers will be free throughout the season.

• Participation money on any race that has eight or more starters increased to $300 (horses finishing sixth through last).

“We recognize the economic demands of owners and trainers,” Ziegler said. “Thoroughbred racing is exhilarating and exciting, but the cost of doing business is a difficult obstacle. Higher purses and less expenses are extremely important.”

Opening day for Emerald Downs' 52-day meeting is Sunday, May 15. The stable area opens in March. The stakes schedule, featuring the 87th running of the Longacres Mile (G3), will be released in December.

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Emerald Downs Plans 52-Date Racing Season In 2022

Emerald Downs has announced a 52-day live racing season in 2022, with opening day Sunday, May 15, and closing day Sunday, Sept. 22.

All 52 race days are scheduled on weekends, composed of 19 Sundays, 18 Saturdays, and 15 Fridays. Post times are 2:15 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 7 p.m. Fridays. The traditional Fireworks Spectacular, Sunday, July 3, features a 5 p.m. post.

Emerald Downs President Phil Ziegler said the emphasis on weekend racing is for fans and horsemen alike.

“We're excited to return to our more traditional schedule with Friday nights and Saturday afternoons,” Ziegler said. “This will be great for the fans.”

Emerald Downs offers 15 consecutive Friday cards beginning June 3, marking the first time the track has offered Friday racing since 2019. Opening week features a lone card on Sunday, May 15, followed by Saturday/Sunday weekends on May 21/22 and May 28/29. Closing weekend also is a two-day race week on Sept. 21/22.

The 2022 season—the 27th at Emerald Downs—will feature a new horsemen incentive program, to be announced next week. The stakes schedule, featuring the 87th running of the Longacres Mile (G3), will be released in December.

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