Longacres Mile tops 35 stakes for 2008

AUBURN, Wash. - The Grade 3, $300,000 Longacres Mile heads a list of 35 stakes worth $2,310,000 at the 2008 Emerald Downs meeting, which will begin April 18 and stretch 91 days through Sept. 28.

The 73rd running of the Longacres Mile will enjoy "Win and You're In" status for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile when it is run on Aug. 17.

Other highlights on the stakes schedule are the $100,000 Washington Oaks on Aug. 16, the $100,000 Emerald Distaff on Aug. 17, the $100,000 Emerald Derby on Sept. 1, and the $100,000 Gottstein Futurity on Sept. 27. Washington Cup VI, which will include seven stakes for Washington-breds worth a total of $350,000, will be staged on Sept. 14.

For the first time, all stakes at Emerald will have a minimum purse of $50,000.