Emerald Downs scheduled to open May 19

The 2021 Emerald Downs meet is slated to begin on Wednesday, May 19. The 50-day meet will run through Thursday, Sept. 23. The dates were approved during the Washington Horse Racing Commission meeting last week.

However, given the uncertainly due to COVID-19, nothing is set in stone.

“We just wanted to get something out on paper that would let horsemen know we will beginning in May,” said Emerald Downs president Phil Ziegler. “Whether the meet will start on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, it doesn’t really matter. The most important thing is the barn area will be open for horsemen on March 1 and open for training March 5.”

Ziegler said one of the reasons for the May 19 opening is that it works well for local trainers currently stabled at Turf Paradise, which ends May 1, and Sam Houston, April 3.

Ziegler is hoping for more race days than in 2020, when the meet was cutback to 38 days due to the pandemic.

“We were successful running Wednesdays and Thursdays last year,” he said. “Plus, we are planning to add Sunday racing this year during the summer months.”