BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Washington Owner/Politician Harley Hoppe Dies

Longtime Washington Thoroughbred owner and renowned businessman/politician Harley H. Hoppe died May 13 at his home on Mercer Island.

100-Day Training Challenge at Emerald Downs

If you've ever dreamed about training a Thoroughbred, the Prodigious Fund at Emerald Downs in Washington state might make that dream come true.

Jockey Mitchell Recovering from Heart Attack

Veteran Jockey Gallyn Mitchell is recuperating from a heart attack suffered Monday, April 22, at his home near Enumclaw, Wash. Mitchell remains at MultiCare Auburn Medical Center.

Emerald Downs Returns to Action April 19

Emerald Downs, the Northwest's premier racing venue near Seattle, Wash., springs back into action for its 18th season on the evening of April 19.

Emerald Downs Stakes Worth $1,545,000

A 29-race stakes schedule featuring the 78th running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (gr. III), four stakes double-headers, and Washington Cup XI highlight the 2013 Emerald Downs meet.

Makors Finale Named Washington Horse of Year

Karl Krieg's 3-year-old homebred Makors Finale captured the Horse of the Year title for 2012 at the Washington Champions Annual Awards banquet held the night of Feb. 16 at Emerald Downs.

Emerald Downs to Open 2013 Season April 19

Emerald Downs has announced a 75-day live racing season for 2013, beginning April 19 and closing Sept. 29.

Emerald Downs Partners With Media Agency

Emerald Downs is partnering with Merlino Bauer Media, the award-winning media buying agency, the track announced Jan. 4.

Trainer Ward Among Washington Hall Finalists

The Washington Racing Hall of Fame has announced 20 finalists in five categories eligible to win the state's highest honor in Thoroughbred racing for 2013.

Jockey Mitchell Plans to Ride Again Soon

Jockey Gallyn Mitchell, who was injured in a spill last week at Turf Paradise, hopes resume riding within a couple weeks, according to his wife/agent Denise Mitchell.

Washington Horse Owner Frank Gaunt Dies

Frank Gaunt, a successful owner at Emerald Downs, died Dec. 22 of cancer. He was 81.

Class Included Leaning Toward Ladies Classic

The State of Washington will have one of its own to root for in the 2012 Breeders' Cup World Championships. Mike Feuerborn's Class Included is pre-entered in both the Ladies Classic and the Filly & Mare Sprint.

CHRB Seeks Answer for Mistaken Pick 5 Payoff

The California Horse Racing Board is following up on a discrepancy in the payoff for a Sept. 16 Pick 5 payout from Fairplex Park to make sure that no bettors were shorted as the result of takeout computation errors.

Apprentice Kubinova Sets Emerald Downs Record

The Czech Republic native owns the most wins for an apprentice jockey at the Washington State racetrack.

Harbor the Gold Colt Tops Washington Sale

A full brother to two-time Washington State Horse of the Year Noosa Beach was sold for $55,000 to top the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association's summer yearling and mixed sale.

Gutierrez, Taylor Said Take Longacres Mile

Red-hot Taylor Said, back in action just 13 days after setting a track record at Hastings Racecourse, held off Winning Machine in the final strides Aug. 19 to capture the $200,000 Longacres Miles (gr. III) by a head.

Awesome Gem to Defend Title in Longacres Mile

He's the gift that keeps on giving and the equine version of the Energizer Bunny. Making the 52nd start of his career Aug. 19, Awesome Gem steps forward to defend his title at Emerald Downs.

Win Number 2,000 for Jockey Mawing

Jockey Leslie Mawing rode the 2,000th winner of his career on the Aug. 9 evening card at Emerald Downs in Washington state.

Jockey Mitchell to Undergo Hand Surgery

Jockey Gallyn Mitchell, the all-time leading rider at Emerald Downs, is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a severe fracture in his right hand.

Noosa Beach to Miss Remainder of Year

Two-time Washington Horse of the Year Noosa Beach will miss the Longacres Mile (gr. III) Aug. 19 at Emerald Downs and is going to take the rest of the year off, trainer Doris Harwood said Aug. 2.

Washington Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

Three individuals and two horses have been selected for induction into the Washington Racing Hall of Fame this year.

Gutierrez Moving to Hastings for Summer

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winning jockey Mario Gutierrez returns to Emerald Downs for the $50,000 Kent Handicap July 15, then plans to ride for the remainder of the summer at Hastings Racecourse.

Emerald Downs Hikes Overnight Purses 5%

Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash., has announced a 5% increase in overnight purses effective July 3. The increase, which does not affect the track's stakes, is retroactive to the April 13 opening day of the meet.

Emerald Downs Names New Marketing Director

Emerald Downs announced April 13 that Sophia Mangalee has been hired as the Washington track's new director of marketing.

West Coast Trainer Shauna Ferguson Dies

Shauna Ferguson, trainer and part owner of Longacres Mile Handicap (gr. III) winner Kid Katabatic, died Monday after a riding accident at Keenebridge Farm in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.

Emerald Downs Kicks Off Season Friday

Racing will get underway Friday at Emerald Downs with 62 horses entered for the eight-race card.

Washington Owner Lou Tice Dies

Lou Tice, a veteran owner who raced 2009 Emerald Downs' horse of the meeting Assessment, died Sunday in Seattle after a short illness.

Bud Klokstad, Trainer of Chinook Pass, Dies

Bud Klokstad, a member of the Washington Racing Hall of Fame and trainer of 1983 Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Chinook Pass, dies at 79 at his home in Richmond, Calif.

West Coast Regional: Life's a Beach

Noosa Beach shines for Doris and Jeff Harwood.

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Midnight Casanova Sets Pace at Pegasus Sale

Midnight Casanova, son of Pleasantly Perfect, topped the Pegasus Thoroughbreds sale of 2-year-olds in training Feb. 7, bringing $125,000.

Emerald Downs Announces 2012 Stakes Schedule

A 30-race stakes schedule highlighted by the 77th running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (gr. III), four stakes doubleheaders, and Washington Cup X has been announced for 2012 at Emerald Downs.

WTOBA Sale Set for Sept. 6

Positive ontrack signals at Emerald Downs, Hastings Park, may add some pop to the 120-yearling WTOBA yearling sale Sept. 6 in Auburn, Wash.

Awesome Gem Sparkles Anew in Longacres Mile

Awesome Gem, the richest horse to ever race in Washington, was too much for local star Noosa Beach in the $200,000 Longacres Mile Handicap (gr. III) at Emerald Downs.

Owner Injured at Emerald Downs

Tony Schiro, a 69-year-old owner, sustained a broken femur and possible head injuries after a runaway horse struck him.

WTBOA Summer Sale Slated for Sept. 6

Annual post-Labor Day auction to be combination of a yearling and a mixed sale; to be held at the Morris J. Alhadeff Sales Paviliion at Emerald Downs in Auburn.

Emerald Downs Begins With Night Card April 15

Emerald Downs in Washington springs into action April 15, beginning its 16th season of Thoroughbred racing at 6 p.m.

Traber, MacPherson Honored at WTBOA Banquet

Dr. John Traber and Murdock MacPherson were among the honorees during the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association's awards and 2010 Washington champions banquet Feb. 19 at Emerald Downs.

Emerald 's '11 Stakes: Longacres Mile Aug. 21

Twenty-nine stakes worth $1.515 million on tap for 2011 at Emerald Downs. The $200,000 Longacres Mile (gr. III) is slated for Aug. 21.

Hamamura, Northwest Photographer, Dies at 57

Emerald Downs plans to name a race during its 2011 meet in honor of Duane Hamamura, for over three decades one of the most prominent equine photographers in Washington state who died suddenly Jan. 29 of natural causes.

Jockeys Receive Mount Fee Increase at Emerald

The Jockeys' Guild and the Washington HBPA have reached an agreement on a new mount fee schedule at Emerald Downs which will take effect when the track opens its 2011 racing season April 15.

Emerald Downs to Run 82 Days in 2011

Meet to run from April 15-Sept. 25; track open for training Feb. 8.

Belvoir Earns Emerald's Top Trainer Award

Trainer Howard Belvoir has been named the 2010 winner of the Martin Durkan Award and will be honored in a special ceremony Sept. 25 at Emerald Downs.

English Channel Filly Tops Washington Sale

Todd and Shawn Hansen purchased English Channel yearling filly for $80,000 from Griffin Place, agent.

Emerald Downs to Begin New Entry Schedule

Emerald Downs has instituted a new entry schedule for the 2010 racing season.

Emerald Downs to Offer 31 Stakes in 2010

The added-money events will be worth $1.76 million.

Emerald Downs Announces Dates for 2010 Meet

The 75th running of the $250,000 Longacres Mile (gr. III) will highlight an 89-day race meeting at Emerald Downs this year.

Washington Mixed Sale Shows Gain in Average

Filly is half-sister to Washington champion Enumclaw Girl as weanlings show strength.

Emerald Downs Prepares for Regional Floods

Emerald Downs is on alert this winter for possible flooding in the Green River Valley, and has outlined procedures to ensure the safety of employees, patrons and horses.

Washington Yearling Sale Set for Sept. 8

The 43rd annual Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association's summer yearling auction will be held Sept. 8, beginning at 1 p.m. (PDT) at the Morris Alhadeff Sales Pavilion at Emerald Downs. There are 179 horses in the catalog and in addition to yearlings with Washington pedigrees, they include offerings from Kentucky, California, Oregon, and Canada.

Kathy Walsh to Enter Washington Hall of Fame

Kathy Walsh, one of the nation's most successful woman trainers, has been voted into the Washington Racing Hall of Fame for 2009. Jockey Lennie Knowles, 1961 Longacres Mile winner Sparrow Castle, and breeders Wilbur and Marianne Stadelman will join Walsh Sept. 13 at Emerald Downs.