What a difference a year makes. Prior to the start of the 2025 meet at Emerald Downs, in an interview with the Seattle Times, Emerald Downs president Phil Ziegler cited a lack of financial support from the Washington State Legislature and untenable fees levied by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority as factors that could prevent the Auburn, Wash., track from hosting live racing in 2026. But now? Coming off its best year in recent memory, one which saw betting handle at Emerald increase by 36 percent, everything appears to be hunky-dory on just about every imaginable front. “HISA has worked a lot with us and we appreciate it,” Ziegler said last week. As for the legislature, he noted, “There have been three budget appropriations to the [state] racing commission. Because of that support and the support of the Muckleshoot Tribe [which owns the track], our horsemen have not had to pay any HISA fees.” There are other reasons for optimism heading into Emerald’s 51-day meet, which opens Saturday and concludes on Sept. 7. Last year, Emerald saw an influx of horses from a suddenly dormant Northern California circuit. This year, Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, British Columbia, is not scheduled to host any races, resulting in some 75 horses shifting to Emerald. “It’s always sad to see tracks close,” cautioned Ziegler. “Unfortunately, we are now more isolated from other tracks, so I do not see the closing of West Coast tracks as being beneficial.” :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. Last year, track management decided to schedule Emerald’s 22 Thoroughbred stakes on four Sundays instead of sprinkling them throughout the meet. The move’s success was undeniable, with the Aug. 17 Longacres Mile card setting a track record with $3.3 million in betting handle. This year’s 91st running of the $125,000 Longacres Mile will be run on Sunday, Aug. 16, one of six stakes that day. The first day of stakes racing will be June 21, with four $50,000 stakes scheduled, and there will be six stakes held on July 19. The final day of stakes racing is Sept. 6, with the $50,000 Gottstein Futurity for juveniles headlining a four-stakes card. There are no major changes to the wagering menu, save for the track’s plans to offer a 10-cent Jackpot Pick 6. Special promotions include Indian Relay Racing from June 12-14; T-Rex Racing (i.e., humans in inflatable dinosaur outfits) on July 12; and dog racing featuring three different breeds: bulldogs (May 17), corgis (June 27-28), and wieners (Aug. 23). “We really focus on the fan experience,” said Ziegler. “We make as much money selling one beer as we do from a $200 wager from out of state.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.