Five Star General won the 2023 Longacres Mile. (Photo courtesy of Emerald Downs)

Five Star General won the 2023 Longacres Mile. (Photo courtesy of Emerald Downs)

Emerald Downs opens its 2024 horse racing season Saturday

The Auburn racetrack’s opening coincides with the running of the Kentucky Derby.

AUBURN – While the nation’s top 3-year-old horses run for the roses on Saturday at the Kentucky Derby, others will line up in Auburn for the start of Emerald Downs’ live racing season. For the second straight year, opening day at the Northwest’s premier racetrack coincides with horse racing’s marquee event.

Emerald Downs will celebrate opening day and Derby Day with contests for the best-dressed patron and best hat on display, as well as seven races starting at 1:30 p.m.

After this weekend’s lone racing day, Saturday and Sunday first-race post times will be 1:30 throughout the summer. Friday evening cards begin after Memorial Day, adding up to 55 racing days through Sept. 15.

Fans will notice a few differences this season, most noticeably in their payoffs for winning bets. The track will offer what’s known as “penny breakage,” paying the full amount down to the penny rather than rounding down to the nearest 20 cents, as is tradition at most racetracks. So instead of a winning ticket paying $6.20 on a $2 bet, it might pay $6.37. Emerald Downs will be the first track outside of Kentucky to make the change, which the track estimates will return $400,000 in additional payouts to bettors.

The payoffs on the tote board might look different, but most of the faces around the track will be the same. Alex Cruz, the leading rider for the past four years, is back in search of a fifth straight title in the jockey standings. Juan Gutierrez, the track’s all-time leading rider with 1,567 wins, will be back in action too.

Justin Evans, who was both the leading trainer and leading owner at the track last year, is returning with a large stable of horses. He will be heavily favored in the trainers’ race.

And the top contenders for the Longacres Mile could be some familiar names too. Slew’s Tiz Whiz, who has been named Horse of the Meeting two straight years, will work toward another appearance in the Mile after winning it in 2022 and finishing third last year. Last year’s winner, Five Star General, could be back to defend his title later this summer.

The $150,000 Mile is one of 23 stakes races on the schedule, worth a total of more than $1.5 million. The Mile will anchor a stakes quadruple-header on Aug. 11.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during a stop of the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Leonard Williams restructures Seahawks deal

More moves may be coming as Seattle deals with salary cap.

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.