Emerald Downs, which recently announced plans to offer a limited number of quarter horse races at its upcoming 82-day meeting, will host a major quarter horse race on Sunday, Sept. 4.
The $60,000-added Bank of America Emerald Downs Challenge Championship for older horses at 440 yards highlights a quarter horse stakes double-header also featuring the $15,000 Pfizer Starter Allowance at 350 yards for horses which have started for a claiming price of $5,000 or less in the last 12 months.
Including entry fees, the Bank of America Emerald Downs Challenge Championship figures to gross over $70,000, and the winner will automatically qualify for the $350,000 Bank Of America Championship Final at Los Alamitos next December. The Emerald Downs race will be among 11 qualifying races to be held in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
An official from the American Quarter Horse Association said the quarter horse events figure to attract runners from Oregon, Washington and Idaho, and possibly California and Alberta, Canada.
“Our program is well-established, and knowing a victory gets you into the final is a big incentive,” said Darrell Hare, the AQHA Director in charge of the Racing Challenge.
Qualifying races for both the Emerald Downs Challenge Championship and Pfizer Starter Allowance, if necessary, would be held Saturday, Aug. 20. The finals are limited to 12 starters apiece.
Emerald Downs, which begins its 16th season of Thoroughbred racing April 15, offered its first-ever quarter horse race last September—the $12,400 Muckleshoot Tribal Dash/John Deere Bonus Challenge at 350 yards.
