2017 stakes winner Sippin Fire could run in the $100,000 Getaway Stakes
$100,000 GETAWAY STAKES
TO CAP LIVE RACING SEASON
AUBURN, Wash. (February 7, 2018) – In an unprecedented development, an anonymous sponsor has donated $180,000 to be added to the 2018 stakes schedule at Emerald Downs Racetrack & Casino.
The donation will be used to fund a new six-figure stakes event for 3-year-olds, and also restore to $50,000 four stakes previously announced as $30,000 events for the 2018 season.
“This is truly astounding,” said Emerald Downs President Phil Ziegler. “This person wishes to remain anonymous and we certainly plan to honor that request.”
The $100,000 Getaway Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles will be run closing day, Sunday, September 23, while the first four stakes of the meeting—Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, Auburn Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings, Hastings Stakes for older fillies and mares and Governor’s Stakes for 3-year-olds and up—have all been bumped back up to $50,000.
The revised schedule increases the stakes total to 29 and aggregate stakes purses to $1,630,000.
“An open stakes race for 3-year-olds is perfect for our schedule,” Ziegler said. “Except for the Washington Cup, we didn’t have a stakes for 3-year-olds in August or September.”
Per the anonymous sponsor’s request, a portion of nomination, entry and starting fees for the Seattle, Auburn, Hastings and Governor’s stakes will be donated to four different Thoroughbred aftercare programs, and all of the entry and starting fees to the Getaway Stakes will be donated to the same charities: Prodigious Fund, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farms and Thoroughbred Charities of America.
Emerald Downs Racetrack & Casino has announced a 67-day live racing season beginning Sunday, April 22, with first post 2 p.m.
2018 EMERALD DOWNS STAKES SCHEDULE—REVISED
29 Stakes: $1,630,000
Date. . . . . . Stakes. . . . . . Purse
Sun May 20 Seattle Stakes (3YO F) 6F $50,000
Sun May 27 Auburn Stakes (3YO C&G) 6F $50,000
Mon May 28 Hastings Stakes (3&UP F&M) 6F $50,000
Sun June 3 Governor’s Stakes (3&UP) 6F $50,000
Sun June 10 Kent Stakes (3YO F) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sat June 16 WA State Legislators S (3&UP F&M) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun June 17 Coca-Cola Stakes (3YO C&G) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun June 24 Budweiser Stakes (3&UP) 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun July 1 Irish Day Stakes (3YO F) 1-1/16 M $50,000
Sun July 8 Seattle Slew Stakes (3YO C&G) 1-1/16 M $50,000
Sun July 15 Mt. Rainier Stakes (3&UP) 1-1/16 M $50,000
Sun July 15 Boeing Stakes (3&UP F&M) 1-1/16 M $50,000
Sun July 15 Angie C Stakes (2YO F) 5 ½ F $50,000
Sun July 15 King County Express (2YO C&G) 5 ½ F $50,000
Sun July 22 Washington Oaks (3YO F) 1-1/8 M $50,000
Sun July 29 Muckleshoot Derby (3YO) 1-1/8 M $50,000
Sun Aug 12 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes (2YO F) 6F $50,000
Sun Aug 12 WTBOA Lads Stakes (2YO C&G) 6F $50,000
Sun Aug 12 Emerald Distaff (3&UP F&M) 1-1/8 M $50,000
Sun Aug 12 Longacres Mile (G3) (3&UP) 1M $200,000
Sun Aug 26 Bank of America Challenge (3&UP) 440 Y $30,000
Sun Aug 26 WA Cup Sophomore Filly Stakes 1M $50,000
Sun Aug 26 WA Cup Sophomore Stakes 1M $50,000
Sun Sept 2 WA Cup Juvenile Filly Stakes 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun Sept 2 WA Cup Juvenile C&G Stakes 6 ½ F $50,000
Sun Sept 9 WA Cup Filly & Mare Stakes 1-1/16 M $50,000
Sun Sept 9 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic 1-1/16M $50,000
Sun Sept 23 Gottstein Futurity (2YO) 1-1/16 M $50,000
Sun Sept 23 Getaway Stakes (3YO) 1-1/16 M $100,000
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