Stakes purses rise 3 percent
AUBURN, Wash. - Emerald Downs has released a schedule of 36 stakes worth $2,205,000 to be contested at its 2006 meeting, which will stretch 91 days from April 21 through Oct. 1.
The purse total is a 3 percent increase from last year. Much of the new funds will be used to boost the Barbara Shinpoch Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Its purse will rise from $75,000 to $100,000. Nine other stakes received increases of $5,000.
The 71st running of the Grade 3, $250,000 Longacres Mile on Aug. 20 will be the highlight of the meet. The $100,000 Emerald Breeders' Cup Distaff will serve as the supporting feature on Mile Day.
Mile Preview Day, introduced last year, will group the two most important preps for the Mile on the July 30 card. The $40,000 Governor's Handicap will be run at 6 1/2 furlongs, and the $100,000 Mt. Rainier Breeders' Cup Handicap will be contested at 1 1/8 miles.
The fourth Washington Cup Day, which includes seven stakes for Washington-breds worth a total of $300,000, will be run on Sept. 17.
2006 stakes schedule
| DATE | EVENT | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| Sun.,April 23 | U.S. BANK STAKES | 3YO F | 6 furlongs | $40,000 |
| Sun.,April 30 | SEATTLE HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 40,000 |
| Sun.,May 7 | AUBURN STAKES | 3YO C&G | 6 furlongs | 40,000 |
| Sun.,May 14 | HASTINGS PARK HANDICAP | F&M, 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 40,000 |
| Sun.,May 21 | FEDERAL WAY HANDICAP | 3YO F | 6 1/2 furlongs | 55,000 |
| Mon.,May 29 | F.S.N. HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 6 1/2 furlongs | 40,000 |
| Sun.,June 4 | PEPSI-COLA HANDICAP | 3YO C&G | 6 1/2 furlongs | 55,000 |
| Sun.,June 11 | WA. STATE LEGISLATORS STAKES | F&M, 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 40,000 |
| Sun.,June 18 | BUDWEISER EMD HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 1 mile | 75,000 |
| Sun.,June 25 | IRISH DAY HANDICAP | 3YO F | 1 mile | 40,000 |
| Sun.,July 2 | TACOMA HANDICAP | 3YO C&G | 1 mile | 65,000 |
| Mon.,July 3 | INDEPENDENCE DAY HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 40,000 |
| Sun.,July 9 | KING COUNTY HANDICAP | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 mile | 40,000 |
| Sun.,July 16 | ANGIE C STAKES | 2YO F | 6 furlongs | 45,000 |
| Sat.,July 22 | EMERALD EXPRESS STAKES | 2YO C&G | 6 furlongs | 45,000 |
| Sun.,July 23 | KENT HANDICAP | 3YO F | 1 1/16 miles | 65,000 |
| Sat.,July 29 | BOEING HANDICAP | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 40,000 |
| Sun.,July 30 | GOVERNOR'S HANDICAP | 3YO & Up | 6 1/2 furlongs | 40,000 |
| Sun.,July 30 | MT. RAINIER B.C. | 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles | 100,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 6 | SEATTLE SLEW B.C. | 3YO C&G | 1 1/16 miles | 65,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 12 | N.W.S.S. KNIGHTS CHOICE STAKES | 2YO F | 6 1/2 furlongs | 45,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 13 | N.W.S.S. STRONG RULER STAKES | 2YO C&G | 6 1/2 furlongs | 45,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 19 | WASHINGTON B.C. OAKS3 | YO F | 1 1/8 miles | 100,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 20 | EMERALD BRS' CUP DISTAFF | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 mile | 100,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 20 | LONGACRES MILE (G3) | 3YO & Up | 1 mile | 250,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 2 | WTBA LADS STAKES | 2YO C&G | 1 mile | 55,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 3 | BARBARA SHINPOCH STAKES | 2YO F | 1 mile | 100,000 |
| Mon., Sept. 4 | EMerald B.C. DERBY | 3YO | 1 1/8 miles | 100,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 17 | DIANE KEM STAKES | 2YO F* | 6 furlongs | 40,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 17 | CAPTAIN CONDO STAKES | 2YO C&G* | 6 furlongs | 40,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 17 | JOHN & KITTY FLETCHER STAKES | 2YO F* | 1 mile | 40,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 17 | TROOPER SEVEN STAKES | 3YO C&G* | 1 mile | 40,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 17 | CHINOOK PASS SPRINT | 3YO & Up* | 6 furlongs | $0,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 17 | BELLE ROBERTS | F&M, 3YO & Up* | 1 1/16 miles | 50,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 17 | MUCKLESHOOT TRIBAL CLASSIC | 3YO & Up* | 1 1/16 miles | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 30 | GOTTSTEIN FUTURITY | 2YO | 1 1/16 miles | 100,000 |
* Washington-breds