The 75th running of the $250,000 Longacres Mile highlights a 31-race stakes schedule for the 2010 season at Emerald Downs.
A total of $1,760,000 will be offered in stakes purses including a quarter-million for the diamond anniversary running of the Grade 3 Longacres Mile on Aug. 22. One of the premiere middle-distance events on the West Coast, The Mile anchors a stakes double-header that includes the $75,000 Emerald Distaff for older fillies and mares at a mile and one-eighth.
The stakes schedule is designed to develop champions in all divisions at increasingly longer distances. The $50,000 Hastings Handicap for older fillies and mares at six furlongs on May 2 is the first stakes of the season.
Other highlights include Mile Preview Day on Sunday, Aug. 1, featuring the $50,000 Mt. Rainer Handicap for older horses at a 1-1/8 mile and the $50,000 Boeing Handicap for fillies and mares at a 1-1/16.
The $75,000 Emerald Downs Derby has been moved to Sunday, Aug. 15. The meet’s top event for 3 year olds at 1-1/8 mile makes it possible for horses to wheel back and participate in The Mile.
Washington Cup VIII, a series of six races for state-breds worth $250,000, is Sunday, Sept. 12. And as part of the Pacific Challenge, British Columbia-breds again can participate in the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic, Belle Roberts and Chinook Pass Stakes.
The $75,000 Gottstein Futurity for 2 year olds will be run at 1 1/16 mile on closing day, Sunday, Sept. 26
The 2010 season, the 15th at Emerald Downs, begins Friday, April 9 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 26. Racing days for the 89-day meeting are Friday, Saturday and Sunday with Thursday racing June 10 to Aug. 26.
The purses for overnight races, enhanced by a contribution from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, will begin the season at the same levels as the start of 2009.
2010 EMERALD DOWNS STAKES SCHEDULE
31 Stakes Total Gross: $1,760,000
DATE PURSE NAME
Sun May 2 $50,000 Hastings Handicap (3&UP F&M) 6F
Sun May 9 $50,000 Federal Way Handicap (3YO F) 6.5F
Sun May 16 $50,000 Seattle Handicap (3&UP) 6F
Sun May 23 $50,000 Auburn Handicap (3YO C&G) 6.5F
Mon May 31 $50,000 WA State Legislators Stakes (3&UP F&M) 6.5F
Sun Jun 6 $50,000 Irish Day Handicap (3YO F) 8F
Sun Jun 20 $50,000 Budweiser Handicap (3&UP) 8F
Sun Jun 27 $50,000 Pepsi-Cola Handicap (3YO C&G) 8F
Sun Jul 4 $50,000 King County Handicap (3&UP F&M) 8F
Sun Jul 11 $50,000 Governor’s Handicap (3&UP) 6.5F
Sun Jul 11 $50,000 Washington’s Lottery Handicap (3YO F) 8.5F
Sun Jul 18 $30,000 NWSS Knights Choice Stakes (2YO F) * 5.5F
Sun Jul 18 $30,000 NWSS Strong Ruler Stakes (2YO C&G) * 5.5F
Sun Jul 25 $50,000 Seattle Slew Handicap (3YO C&G) 8.5F
Mile Preview Day
Sun Aug 1 $50,000 Boeing Handicap (3&UP F&M) 8.5F
Sun Aug 1 $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap (3&UP) 9F
Sun Aug 8 $50,000 Angie C Stakes (2YO F) * 6F
Sun Aug 8 $50,000 Premio Esmeralda (2YO C&G) * 6F
Sat Aug 14 $75,000 Washington Oaks (3YO F) 9F
Sun Aug 15 $75,000 Emerald Downs Derby (3YO) 9F
Longacres Mile Day
Sun Aug 22 $75,000 Emerald Distaff (3&UP F&M) 9F
Sun Aug 22 $250,000 Longacres Mile Gr III (3&UP) ** 8F
Sun Aug 29 $50,000 WTBOA Lads Stakes (2YO C&G) * 8F
Sun Aug 29 $50,000 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes (2YO F) * 8F
WA/BC Cup VIII
Sun Sep 12 $40,000 Diane Kem Stakes (2YO F WA) 6.5F
Sun Sep 12 $40,000 Dennis Dodge Stakes (2YO C&G WA) 6.5F
Sun Sep 12 $40,000 John & Kitty Fletcher Stakes (3YO F WA) 8F
Sun Sep 12 $40,000 Chinook Pass Stakes (3YO C&G WA) 8F
Sun Sep 12 $40,000 Belle Roberts (3&UP F&M WA/BC) 8.5F
Sun Sep 12 $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic (3&UP WA/BC) 8F
Sun Sep 26 $75,000 Gottstein Futurity (2YO) * 8.5F
Sun Sep 26 Stanislaw Ashbaugh Clm. Challenge
*Denotes NWRS **Denotes Breeders’ Cup
NORTHWEST RACE SERIES – $202,500 BREEDERS’ CUP – $75,000
