Washington Racing

For the 30th racing season, Emerald Downs will have 51 days of live racing beginning Apr. 27 and ending Sept. 7, the track announced Friday evening. The meeting will run through 13 Fridays, 18 Saturdays, and 18 Sundays as well as special racing days on Memorial Day May 26 and the annual Fireworks Spectacular July 3. There will be a mid-season break spanning July 4 to July 10, and the stakes schedule will be crowned by the 90th renewal of the Longacres Mile. "We are looking forward to the 30th...

Washington's Emerald Downs will increase purses by an additional 10% for the upcoming 2022 meeting. The overnight purse increase is the second 10% boost for the meet, making the total increase a robust 20% from last season, and comes on the heels of several incentive programs. It is also the track's third 10% increase since 2019. "The more people that get tickets, buy food and beverage, and wager on the live races allows us to offer higher purse supplements," said track president Phil Ziegler. "We are excited to welcome back...

Junior Coffey, a star running back at the University of Washington and one of the state's most successful Thoroughbred trainers, died of congestive heart failure Monday at age 79. A three-time All-Coast selection and three-time Honorable Mention All-American at Washington, Coffey led the Huskies in rushing in 1962 and 1964 and played professionally with the NFL's Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants. His pro career included a rookie stint on the Packers' 1965 championship squad coached by the famed Vince Lombardi. After a knee injury curtailed his...