There is a fresh energy infusing the backside at Emerald Downs as they are ready for Opening Day of their 30^th season on April 27. Horse racing has a long history in the Pacific Northwest that includes The Meadows (1902-1908), Longacres (1933-1992), and Emerald Downs, which opened in 1996.

Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash. (Reed Palmer Photography)

Emerald Downs is a beautiful facility located midway between Seattle and Tacoma in Auburn, Wash. The 167-acre facility has a multi-level stadium grandstand and features a glorious view of Mount Rainier.   

The track offers an unimpeded view of its one-mile dirt oval. There is easy access to watch the horses and jockeys in the walking ring. Attendees on the apron and in the grandstands get a good look at the horses — and their pony escorts — as they pass by on their way to the gate.

This year Emerald Downs offers a 51-day meet with 22 stakes races. There are four stakes races on June 22 (Family Fun Weekend); six stakes races on July 20 (Irish Day, featuring great music); six stakes races on Aug. 17 Championship Sunday (which includes the $125,000 Longacres Mile); and four stakes races on closing Sunday, Sept 7.

Promotions schedule for Emerald Downs.

Emerald Downs is well loved for its promotions. Going to the track is a fun-filled family experience. The track’s schedule is full of events such as Bulldog races, the T Rex World Championships, Corgi weekend, British Day, Premio Esmeralda, Wiener Dog and wannabe races, and more. One of its biggest audience draws is the Fourth of July fireworks on Thursday, July 3. 

Reason for excitement this season includes the addition of at least 12 trainers and their horses relocating from Northern California and Arizona. One of them is Ruby Thomas. She feels welcome at the track. She loves the barns and finds them open and airy. She particularly loves sitting in the grandstands. 

Thomas is the kind of horse person that you want to sit and visit with. Her eyes and her smile are warm and friendly. The move was not easy. She recently lost her husband, trainer Ray Thomas. Then, she fell and broke her wrist. But with the true spirit of a determined race tracker, she managed to load up 12 horses, a pony, three golf carts, three dogs, tack, and supplies and her crew and navigate them from Northern California to Emerald Downs.  Making the long drive with a broken wrist was not easy!  

It’s her first time at Emerald Downs and she has lots of friends and family who will also be there. She had 20 wins in 2024 and a career-best 34 wins in 2023. Thomas had her first win at Santa Anita in January with her filly Crystal Proof. Definitely one of the “new” trainers to watch!

Her son is trainer Jamey Thomas who will also have a stable based at Emerald Downs for the first time. He is planning to send 20-25 horses as there is no racing scheduled in Northern California this year. (Golden Gate Fields closed last June and racing was canceled at Pleasanton.) Both Jamey and Ruby have horses entered on Opening Day. Ruby is happy that several of her California owners are coming north to watch the races. 

Scenic Emerald Downs (Reed Palmer Photography)

Emerald Downs is expecting approximately 900 horses at the meet this year, which is 200 more than last year! Trainer Justin Evans was the leading trainer in 2023 and 2024, and he will be returning to try to finish atop the standings for a third year in a row. No doubt there will be a rivalry with Washington Racing Hall of Fame trainer Tim McCanna, the 10-time leading trainer at Emerald, who will have a stronger presence of his horses this season. 

Jockey Alex Cruz has won an unprecedented five Emerald Downs jockey titles in a row.  Coming off of 63 wins last season, Cruz is looking forward to another dominant year. He has mounts in all seven races on Opening Day.  One of his chief competitors is jockey Kevin Krigger, who won 49 races last year. 

Precise Timing was the 2024 Horse of the Meet. Trained by Kay Cooper and owned by the Blue Ribbon Racing #23 syndicate headed by breeder Debbie Pabst of Buckley, Wash., the 3-year-old filly is unbeaten. She won three stakes races: the WA Cup Juvenile Filly Stakes, the WTBOA Lassies Stakes and the Angie C. Stakes, helping to place her jockey, Kevin Orozco, in the top ten of Emerald Downs stakes wins with 24! Precise Timing is expected to return this season. 

The most popular race is the Longacres Mile, which originated in 1935. During its 90-year history, the race has attracted well known jockeys including Eddie Arcaro, Bill Hartack, Johnny Longden, Sandy Hawley, Bill Shoemaker, Laffitt Pincay Jr., Gary Stevens, and Joe Bravo, among others. There is a rumor that leading Washington owner John Parker might ship stakes winner Lonesome Boy — who has been campaigning on the East Coast — to Emerald Downs to run in this year’s Longacres Mile.   

Emerald Downs track royalty Sally Steiner. (Julie June Stewart photo)

Emerald Downs President Phil Ziegler is looking forward to seeing the fans. “We miss them in the offseason and it’s always good to see everybody. One of my favorite things to do is walk around and visit with all our horsemen, industry workers, and the folks that work hard in the stable areas. You see their dedication to the horses and the care that they give. What also makes us special is there is something fun going on for the fans. You can bring your family, and there’s always activities and a full day’s worth of entertainment. Our fans love being part of the promotions that they can take part of with their dogs or their families. It really adds to the family element here.” 

The heartbeat of Emerald Downs is Sally Steiner. She is the matriarch of the Steiner horse racing family. She and her husband, Joe, ran the Quarter Chute café (track kitchen) for 30 years with their family. Sally said, “I am looking forward to new friendships, our old friendships, and success for everybody — the people and the track — so that they can continue with success for the future. With the energy of the new people, it’s very positive.  The new folks are excited to come to a place that is first class. The positive energy at the track is above and beyond!”