Tacoma, WA

Last night was a wonderful night for me. My husband took me to Emerald Downs Racetrack, where I got to see horses run for the first time. Even though we didn’t really bet anything more then a few bucks we had an outstanding time. There is nothing better then the energy, and feel of the stands for those few seconds that the horses are racing. For a few seconds the whole crowd’s hearts seem to beat as one. And the thundering roar of the crowd when the horses cross the finish line is something I will never forget.

Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, Emerald Downs provides the most interactive sporting experience in the Pacific Northwest. Emerald Downs offers exciting live Thoroughbred racing from April through September.

The sport of Thoroughbred racing is like no other. The pounding hooves and pounding hearts give the sport its own rhythm, its own intensity, even its own language. Emerald Downs opened in 1996 to large crowds. The track replaced Longacres, which closed in September 1992 after sixty seasons of racing. The Emerald Downs track consists of a one mile dirt oval. There is no turf course. The bid board is in the center of the oval track.

Emerald Downs biggest race is the Longacres Mile Handicap, a Grade III event. The race was announced in June 1935 so Longacres founder Joe Gottstein could have a signature one mile race. He felt the mile was an overlooked distance, neither a sprint nor an endurance run. In order to attract racers and attention, the purse was set at $10,000, instantly the largest staked one mile race in the country (and it would remain so for more than 40 years).

As soon as the announcement was made, the first running of the race had 20 entrants; 16 actually started. The stakes attracted the owners of a New Orleans horse named Biff, grandson of legendary Man o’ War, who had just won $5000 in Chicago. Biff had the attention of everyone for weeks before the event and no owners would run their horses in preliminary races with him. Biff was first out of the gate but was stalked by Coldwater, a 20-1 longshot that wasn’t regarded well. Near the end of the mile Biff was showing clear strain and Coldwater overtook him to win

GENERAL ADMISSION AND PARKING

During live racing (April 20 - September 30), $5.00 admission includes access to the first five levels of the stadium, the Paddock and Park. Kids 17 and under get in free and kids 13 and under must be accompanied by parent or guardian. You must be 18+ to wager.

Please note: no bottles, open containers or alcoholic beverages may be brought onto the property.

Admission to simulcast racing is $2.
Gates open 30 minutes prior to first simulcast race each day.

Preferred parking is $5.00 while Valet Parking is $10.00. Parking in the general lot is FREE.

Emerald Downs Bus Service from Downtown Seattle: Emerald Downs Pony Express service is available from downtown Seattle on weekends. Service is just $4 round-trip. Call Emerald Downs for pickup locations and times at 253-288-7000.

“Ride to the Races” with Sound Transit Take any Sound Transit ST Express or King County Metro Transit buses serving the Auburn Sounder Station and Emerald Downs will provide free shuttle service to the races! Sounder commuter rail ST Express routes 564 and 565 run Monday through Friday, and Sounder runs on select Sundays. For schedules and service dates, visit soundtransit.org

Stable Area Tours: FREE Saturday morning stable tours are available by appointment. Please call 253-288-7711 for reservations.

Directions:

Traveling South on I-5
Take exit #147 (272nd St) and go east into the valley (approx. 3 miles). Turn right on West Valley Hwy and continue one mile until you reach the 37th Street NW light, turn left. Emerald Downs is 1/2 mile ahead on the right.

Traveling North on I-5
Take exit #142A. Continue east two miles on Hwy 18 and take the Hwy 167 northbound on-ramp. Continue to 15th Street NW exit, turn right from off-ramp and follow sign to main entrance (left on Emerald Downs Dr.)

South/Northbound 167
Take the 15th St NW exit and go east from off-ramp. Continue on 15th for 1/2 mile and follow the signs to Emerald Downs’ main entrance (left on Emerald Downs Drive).

From racing to family fun I would recommend this Track to everyone. It’s full of excitement and wonder, but most of all it is where Heroes become Legends and where dreams come true.