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Live racing returns as Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash. begins its 25th season with a 10-race program on Wednesday, June 24. First post is 2:15 p.m.

Racing will be conducted with no fans or spectators at this time.

Eighty-six horses are entered on opening day (8.6 per race) and will perform under ideal weather conditions. The forecast calls for sunshine and a high of 77 degrees.

Wednesday's opener also marks the region's first live sporting event in the state of Washington since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown in March. Spectators will not be allowed on-track, but wagering is available via various advance deposit wagering (ADW) companies.

“It's exciting to get going,” said Emerald Downs' President Phil Ziegler. “It certainly isn't the opening day we were planning for, but it will be special in its own way as it marks the return of pro sports in Washington.”

The updated schedule calls for a 44-day season through Sunday, October 4, with racing every Wednesday and Thursday (5 p.m.)

Emerald Downs also has announced an industry low 15% takeout on all superfecta wagers with a minimum bet of 10 cents.

A revised stakes schedule includes 16 stakes worth an aggregate $720,000, tentatively beginning with the $40,000 Angie C Stakes and $40,000 King County Express on Aug. 2. The 85th renewal of the $100,000 Longacres Mile (G3) is tentatively set for Sept. 13.

In the jockey colony, defending riding champion Gary Wales has nine mounts opening day. A 34-year-old Scotsman, Wales rode 99 winners last year while finishing 33 wins clear of runner-up Kevin Orozco. A top newcomer is Alex Cruz, a 27-year-old native of Puerto Rico who was the leading rider with 77 wins this winter at Turf Paradise. Juan Gutierrez, begins the season needing 46 wins to tie Gallyn Mitchell's all-time Emerald Downs' record of 1,419 wins.

On the trainers' side, Frank Lucarelli comes off a remarkable season in which he shattered the single-season mark with 81 wins. Lucarelli has finished first or second in 16 of the last 20 seasons and ranks No. 1 all-time in Emerald Downs wins (1,025) and earnings ($11,164,219). Blaine Wright, the leading stakes trainer each of the last four years, also returns in 2020, along with Washington Hall of Fame trainers Howard Belvoir, Doris Harwood, Sharon Ross and Tim McCanna. Belvoir and Lucarelli are both busy opening day, with seven and six horses entered respectively.

The opening day feature is a $13,600 allowance/optional claimer for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs. The 11-horse field includes Wine At Nine, an 8-year-old gelding with 17 career Emerald Downs' wins, along with local stakes winners This Great Nation, Makah Lane and Muncey.

The post Live Racing At Emerald Downs Resumes Wednesday; Superfecta Takeout Reduced To 15 Percent appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Indiana Grand Racing & Casino recorded its best wagering week ever in handle to kick off the 18th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. Over the first four days of racing, a total of $9,867,445 was wagered on 35 Thoroughbred and 10 Quarter Horse races.

The previous best week of handle was recorded during Indiana Derby Week in 2019. A total of $8,673,496 was wagered over four days to establish a new record for most handle recorded in one week of racing.

“The reception of our racing program on a national level has been outstanding,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing at Indiana Grand. “The entire team has worked through some very difficult times to ensure operations are meeting all requirements set by the state due to Covid-19 protocols. It's really rewarding to all of us to have racing fans be so invested in our racing product. It sure sets the tone for our entire season and we are working hard to keep that momentum going.”

One of the new facets of the racing program that has been popular this season is a new lower takeout on the Pick 5. Held on the last five Thoroughbred races daily, the wager provides a reduced takeout of 11.99 percent, one of the lowest in the country. Pools for the wager are averaging over 71,000 and payouts for the 50-cent minimum wager are averaging more than $3,100.

“We are trying to find ways to cater to our racing fans and providing a lower takeout on the Pick 5 is a great way to engage horseplayers,” added Halstrom. “We will continue to find ways to captivate our racing audience in all sorts of ways, both on track and through simulcasting.”

Live racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 18 with action held Monday through Thursday beginning at 2:20 p.m. Four Saturday programs are slated for all-Quarter Horse days set for July 4, Aug. 8, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24.

The post Indiana Grand Opens To Record Wagering Totals; Handle Over $9.8 Million On First Four Cards appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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