Emerald Downs History

In 1996, Emerald Downs opened to a large enthusiastic crowd. To add more fun and entertainment into horseracing, track of the Emerald Downs was resurfaced in 1997. Within a few years, Longacres Mile Handicap, a Grade III event became Down’s biggest racing event. This event was introduced in June 1935 so that Longacres’ founder Joe Gottstein could have a signature one-mile race. Longacres was the home of thoroughbred racing in Washington from 1933 to 1992.

Emerald Downs is the longest continually operated track on the West Coast of the United States and is popular for betting. The stakes attracted the owners of a New Orleans horse named Biff, grandson of legendary Man O' War, who had won $5000 in Chicago.