An ideal climate forecast—mid 70s and sunny—will present the proper backdrop Saturday as stay racing returns to Emerald Downs with first publish 1:50 p.m.
Opening day coincides with the 152nd Kentucky Derby by which Washington native and former Emerald Downs’ coach Mark Glatt saddles Santa Anita Derby winner So Happy within the mile and 1 / 4 traditional. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is 3:57 p.m.
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Emerald Downs’ 51-day meet continues by Sept. 7, with stay racing Saturdays and Sundays in May with Friday evening racing added to the combination starting in June.
Opening week, nevertheless, options Saturday racing solely, with a six-race card topped by a $23,000 purse for older $25,000 claimers at six furlongs. Emerald Downs’ Director of Racing Bret Anderson stated almost 800 horses are anticipated by mid-May together with the standard reinforcements headed up from Turf Paradise. Also, a slew of Canadian trainers-Steve Henson, Mark Cloutier, Patty Leaney, Robbie Gilker, Ian Jewell-have strings this season at Emerald Downs.
Kevin Krigger, who ended a run of 5 straight titles by Alex Cruz, defends his Emerald Downs’ driving title whereas 2025 coaching champion Jorge Rosales goals for his third title total.
The $125,000 Longacres Mile headlines a 20-race stakes schedule concentrated over 4 Sundays of motion—June 21, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 6. The 2025 Mile, gained by California shipper Arrowthegreat, capped an 11-race card that dealt with an all-time monitor report $3,305,806
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On the trainers’ facet, Tom Wenzel begins 2026 one win shy of Doris Harwood’s all-time monitor report 67 stakes wins, and with huge weapons like Slew’s Tiz Whiz and Aloha Breeze returning, figures to interrupt the report this summer time. Slew’s Tiz Whiz, an 8-year-old, and Aloha Breeze, a 6-year-old, every have gained seven stakes whereas capturing a number of divisional titles.
Frank Lucarelli, the monitor’s all-time main coach with 1,196 wins, and Juan Gutierrez, the monitor’s all-time main rider with 1,608 wins, additionally return in 2026, whereas Tim McCanna wants 4 wins to hitch Lucarelli as trainers with 1,000 wins at Emerald Downs.
In phrases of wagering, not a lot has modified. Emerald Downs stays one of many few tracks providing penny breakage together with 12 % Pick 3s. The Jackpot Pick 6 is now a 10-cent wager.
Coming off a powerful 2025 season by which wagering was up 48 % and on-track attendance almost 10 %, monitor president Phil Ziegler says patrons can count on good vibes once more in 2026.
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“We do not have any other gaming, so we really focus on the fan experience,” he stated. “We offer everything from upscale suites to picnics in the park. Wagering handle is only one part of the puzzle. We make as much money selling one beer as we do from a $200 wager from out of state. We charge admission but invest that back for the fans with promotions like Family Fun Days which include free pony rides, face painting and a kids race on the track.”
Saturday, June 20, marks the thirtieth anniversary of the monitor’s opening June 20, 1996.
This story was initially printed by Paulick Report on Apr 30, 2026, the place it first appeared within the News part. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.