The Washington Horse Racing Commission voted to approve a 44-day season for Emerald Downs Friday. Racing was originally scheduled to begin Apr. 18 and has now been approved to begin Monday, June 22. Races will be conducted every Monday and Tuesday with no fans in attendance.
Horse Racing without public participation is included in Phase 3 of Governor Jay Inslee's “Safe Start Washington” plan. Upon entering Phase 4, racing will open to the public and Emerald Downs will return to a traditional weekend race schedule. A revised stakes schedule will be announced next week.
Horses have been in training since Feb. 1.
Track president Phil Ziegler said, “They have done a terrific job of staying healthy and taking care of the 600 horses currently stabled at the track. We have followed all the CDC and state safety guidelines since the emergency began.”
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