Emerald Downs offers incentives in attempt to fill backstretch

In an effort to increase the local horse population, Emerald Downs is offering a $10,000 bonus to any trainer outside the region who brings a stable of horses to the track for the first time. To be eligible for the bonus, a trainer must bring at least 10 horses to the Auburn, Wash., track. The bonus program is limited to the first five trainers who qualify.

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A $5,000 bonus will be paid to the trainer when he arrives at Emerald and an additional $5,000 after his 10th start. The bonus is available to trainers that come from a track outside of Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia.

Emerald is also offering a Ship and Run Incentive Program. Out-of-state horses will receive a $500 bonus for their initial start at Emerald. The bonus is for horses whose most recent start was outside of Washington and who did not race at Emerald Downs in 2019 and 2020. To be eligible, a horse must have started for a claiming price of $3,000 or more in each of its last three starts.

The new trainer and shipping bonus programs cannot be combined. The shipping bonus is capped at 100 horses.

The stable area opens on Monday, March 1, with the 50-day meet beginning on May 19.