9/25/2024

(Auburn, WA) With the 2024 racing season in the books the next big question is will things get better for next year. Despite the racing industry continuing to lose race tracks and frankly those east of the Mississippi not caring 2-cents about racing out here on the West Coast, Emerald Downs is still here 1 of just 4 full time tracks still operating. Del Mar, Santa Anita, Los Alimitos and Emerald Downs are all that’s left on the West Coast.

Yes, Northern California is hoping for a new permanent home at one the Fairgrounds sites and yes we could go east not very far and include Turf Paradise. Then a few other meets that are still running such as the Fresno Fair meet, Grants Pass other Oregon Fairs but not full time tracks and of course Hastings in Vancouver BC remains open.

This is a far cry from the 70’s glory days that included Hollywood Park, Golden Gate, Bay Meadows, Portland Meadows, Yakima Meadows, Playfair and of course Longacres. Then add in Boise, Coure d’Alene, the Washington fairs, Fairplex and other California fair meets and there was live racing all over the Western half of the U-S.

Now, to be brutally honest, folks we are on our own. There is no National organization that ties all of racing together, even though it has been attempted the tracks have been for themselves and not the overall health of the industry for decades. I’m going to pile on the Eastern tracks and operators because they literally don’t care about the industry out here and likely never did. 

The fact the Longacres Mile can’t be given a Grade 3 is the ultimate in selfishness and provides a clear view of the narcissitic nature of the “big” tracks. In this day and age if there is 1 active breeder near any reguler track they should automatically be given a Grade 3 race to give whatever breeding is going on all the possible tools they can have to keep going.

That being said, it is up to us to get it done here and maybe we could entice some of the other Western tracks to work better with each other especially those who would have similar level of horses. Before we can look to partner it is clear we have got to find another way to help raise purses to attract more horses, to help stimulate the current breeders while trying to attract new ones here in Washington State.

Over the past couple of years there has been a bill in the State legislature that would greatly impact the bottomline of racing in Washington State and would be doing it in a similar way that Texas was able to raise their purses significantly without Casino or slot money being the driver in raising those extra dollars. The bill would direct about 50% of the sales tax collected on equine goods and services back to racing and other equine activities. 

The bill had great support and passed the house with a massive yes vote like 90-5 or something close to that. Governor Inslee was and has remained in support of the bill but one single senator whose position allowed her to stop the bill from reaching the floor to be voted on where it again had strong bipartisan support in the Senate. She stopped it 2 years in a row. They didn’t even attempt it last year because she was still in her chair position with the ability to kill the bill. That senator is no longer there she stepped away from being a Senator so there is again hope this bill could re-emerge this coming legislative session.

The other proposal is to allow Emerald Downs to have the historical horse racing machines that are pari-mutuel machines allowing fans to bet many of the regular bets. It would take the legislature and the governor signing a bill to allow the historical racing wagering. Proceeds of the specific racing machines would benefit Washington State racing.

ESN talked with Racing Commissioner Doug Moore on closing day and he gave us a rundown of where the process is at this time. You can see and listen to that interview here.

ESN talks with WHRC Commissioner Doug Moore

Regardless of the outcome of these two proposals, work has to continue to boost racing here in Washington state. It is clear that we here in Washington state have great reverence for horse racing as each season no matter what the stands are packed with fans and 90% of the other tracks still open would die to have the on-track attendance and the fan participation we have here in the PNW. 

There are other good signs of holding onto these fans and our sport. I cannot remember a year where so many 1st time trainers made their 1st starts at a single meet. There was a record at the claiming box meaning a lot of folks were dropping red tags all season long. And personally, I have never been approached by as many people from my friends and aquaintances ask how they can get in on owning a piece of a horse. 

The trainers are working with these folks with some creative partnerships to make this happen trying to draw in as much new blood as possible. These are great signs for our industry here. Yes, there is a lot of work to be done and when the time comes there will be a need for everyone to contact their legislator, take trips to the Capital to rally for support to allow us to use revenue that the equine industry generates  to help support our own sport. 

If things work a little our way Emerald could cement itself for decades. More race days and higher purses. This is it folks. Emerald Downs will be the last track ever built, at least in our lifetimes in Washington State. We need to rally together and come up with as many different ideas and out of the box thinking than ever before.

I will keep you updated on the progress of the legislative action. Everyone should be very appreciative for the work Doug Moore is doing all at his expense. He is not getting paid to go and hammer on legislators doors, setting up meetings with as many different folks to try and gain support for the racing industry.

Racing overall is in a huge transition and only a few tracks are likely to survive. If I didn’t believe that Emerald Downs was in a very unique position to be one of those who makes it then I would have given up long ago. We’re all in this together, remember every single person who comes to the track is a fan and is on our team, period.

We’re used to damn hard challenges, we’re used to having our backs against the wall let’s again show the horse world that Washington racing is here to stay.

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