Anonymous donation results in new $100,000 stakes at Emerald Downs

Due to an anonymous donation of $180,000, a $100,000 stakes for 3-year-olds has been added to the 2018 stakes schedule at Emerald Downs. Called the Getaway Stakes, the 1 1/16-mile race will be run on closing day, Sept. 23.

The Getaway becomes the second-richest stakes at the meet behind the Grade 3, $200,000 Longacres Mile Aug. 12. It is double in value of any other stakes at Emerald this year.

The rest of the donated money will be used to boost the purses of the first four stakes of the meet from $30,000 to $50,000. They are the Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, Auburn Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings, Hastings Stakes for fillies and mares, and Governor’s Stakes for 3-year-olds and up.

“This is truly outstanding,” said Emerald Downs president Phil Ziegler. “This person wishes to remain anonymous and we certainly plan to honor that request.

“An open race for 3-year-olds is perfect for our schedule. Except for the Washington Cup, we didn’t have a stakes for 3-year-olds in August or September.”

The donor requested that a portion of the nomination, entry and starting fees for the four stakes be donated to Thoroughbred aftercare programs Prodigious Fund, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farms, and Thoroughbred Charities of America. All of the entry and starting fees to the Getaway Stakes will be donated to the same programs.

The 67-day Emerald meet begins April 22. With the additional funds, the 29-race stakes schedule is worth $1,630,000.