Emerald cancels final three races after jockeys refuse to ride

AUBURN, Wash. – The final three races of Friday’s eight-race card at Emerald Downs were canceled after jockeys refused to accept their mounts for the sixth race, citing what they said was an unsafe area of the racing surface near the five-eighths pole.

“Our track superintendent corrected an issue with the track following the fifth race,” Emerald Downs Director of Marketing Adrian Buchan said. “We were confident the track was safe. The jockeys disagreed and would not accept their mounts for the sixth race. We had no other choice but to cancel the remainder of the card.”

The first five races were run without incident.

Track officials said racing would resume as schedule Saturday at 2:15 p.m.