Penny breakage at Emerald Downs for 2024! Help for the horseplayer, more money returned on wagers through the breakage reduction from 0.10% to zero. A wager that paid $6.40 last year will pay up to $6.59 this year. Also, extremely low 8% takeout on Pick 6 and Pentafecta wagers. Opening Day is Saturday, May 4! Joe Bianca, from West Point Thoroughbreds and host of “Rail Talk” podcast, joins Joe and Vince. Bianca praised Emerald Downs on the new breakage level and speaks to that and his racing history and current job. Also a guest is the “Big A,” Anthony Stabile, who begins his new job as Track A ..read more

Come to Emerald Downs on Saturday and root for Lonesome Boy in the $750-k Wood Memorial at Aqueduct! Lonesome Boy is the first Washington-bred to race in the Wood since Smokin Mel finished third in 1997. John Parker, top owner at EmD in six of the past nine seasons, campaigns Lonesome Boy, a son of Nationhood. Parker and family will make the trip for the big event. The race goes at 1:05 pm, EmD time. Parker joins Joe and Vince on this special edition of Horseracing NW. Lonesome Boy has won at Aqueduct in January and followed that with a stakes victory at Parx last month. Also a guest is John L ..read more

Jockey Carlos Montalvo had an outstanding 2023, first season at Emerald Downs. He tied for leading stakes jockey with Jose Zunino, each with four added-money triumphs. Montalvo joins Joe and Vince and speaks to the challenges of coming to a new venue, first season successes, his travels as a race rider, family and more. There’s also news, Sports Shorts, trivia on Horseracing NW ..read more

Tom Harris is back as Track Announcer at Emerald Downs! Harris, the always popular race caller, had the EmD job from 2018-21 and speaks to his long announcing history and return to Auburn. Jon White is also a guest, now as a new member in the Washington Thoroughbred Hall of Fame. White has worked in racing since 1974, the past 40+ in California, but has never forgotten his northwest roots. He’s been an ever-present contributor in the Emerald Downs era in radio, tv, internet and print. With morning training underway at Emerald Downs, the Quarter Chute Café is open Wednesday through Sunday until ..read more

Winter and full card simulcasting at Emerald Downs go to together! The Fifth Floor is open seven days a week and tracks such as Aqueduct, Gulfstream, Laurel, Tampa Bay, Fair Grounds, Oaklawn, Santa Anita, Golden Gate, Turf Paradise and Turfway Park offer top action and big weekend stakes. The popular Quick Pix café is open 9 am to 6 pm on weekends. In the Thoroughbred world, breeding and foaling season have begun and Nina Hagen of El Dorado Farms in Enumclaw joins the show. Hagen, despite some serious health issues, sounds like her ever-energetic and enthusiastic self. With husband Ron, they s ..read more

Track President Phil Ziegler speaks to the upcoming Emerald Downs racing season, Opening Day scheduled for Saturday, May 4 (Kentucky Derby day). Ziegler, in his current position since the 2015 season, has overseen growth in many areas with innovative marketing ideas. Emerald Downs four-time leading trainer Jeff Metz is also a guest, he with a new position at Santa Anita. Sports Shorts and Trivia, too. Go to emeralddowns.com for a great deal! Get a Season Admission Pass for just $55. The Fifth Floor is open seven days a week with the popular Quick Pix Café open Wednesday through Sunday. Quick P ..read more

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays from Horseracing NW! On Saturday night December 23, the Fifth Floor will be filled with music by a tribute group to “the world’s greatest rock ‘n roll band,” the Rolling Stones. Get your tickets early at emeralddowns.com. Full card simulcasting continues, seven days a week at Emerald Downs. Many top tracks in action this winter plus Santa Anita and Golden Gate begin on Monday, Dec. 26. There’s a new sire at Pabst Blue Ribbon Farm in Buckley. His name is Alternation and he has racing and siring success from an outstanding resume. Washington Hall of Fame breeder D ..read more

Happy Thanksgiving from Emerald Downs! The 5t Floor is open this Holiday and you can enjoy a full Turkey Day meal for just $17.50 at Quick Pix. A turkey dinner with all the fixins’ including dessert. Also, there's full card simulcasting from top tracks such as Laurel, Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Del Mar, Golden Gate and Woodbine. WHRC Commissioner Doug Moore joins Joe and Vince on Horseracing NW. Moore sorts out the regulatory bodies that govern racing and wagering in the U.S. HISA and HIWU came in during the 2022 year and their regulatory power affected the WHRC, ARCI, RMTC and Jockey Club ..read more

Emerald Downs is ready for Breeders’ Cup simulcasting, this Friday and Saturday, November 3-4. Gates open on Friday at 8:30 am, Saturday at 8:00 am. The 5th floor is first come-first served as far as seating, so get here early. Watch and wager on the 40th running of the Breeders’ Cup, a truly world-wide competition consisting of 14 races over the two days. It’s free admission at Emerald Downs and there’s food specials both days at Quick Pix on floor 5 and on Saturday at Classics, floor 3. Joe and Vince are joined by “Horseracing NW” regular, EmD Track Announcer Bill Downes, and also Jon White ..read more

Emerald Downs concluded the 2023 season on a high note last Sunday, September 17, and Joe and Vince recap the action that decided several season-ending honors including Slew’s Tiz Whiz earning his second consecutive Horse of the Meeting title. Thanks to all who made the year memorable – the fans and handicappers, the horsemen and their grooms, EmD staff and officials and, of course the horses! Trainer Tom Wenzel joins Joe and Vince and speaks to his great season that ended on a very high note. Closing day, Slew’s Tiz Whiz took the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic and Miner League won the Gottstein F ..read more