Emerald Downs launches 51-day racing season with sunny skies and star jockeys
A perfect weather forecast - mid 70s and sunny - will provide the backdrop Saturday as live racing returns to Emerald Downs with first post at 1:50 p.m.
Opening day coincides with the 152nd Kentucky Derby in which Washington native and former Emerald Downs trainer Mark Glatt saddles Santa Anita Derby winner So Happy. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is 3:57 p.m.
Emerald Downs' 51-day meet continues through Sept. 7, with live racing Saturdays and Sundays in May with Friday night racing added in June.
Opening week, however, features Saturday racing only, with a six-race card topped by a $23,000 purse for older $25,000 claimers at six furlongs. Emerald Downs' director of racing Bret Anderson said nearly 800 horses are expected by mid-May, including the usual reinforcements from Turf Paradise in Phoenix. Also, a slew of Canadian trainers - Steve Henson, Mark Cloutier, Patty Leaney, Robbie Gilker, Ian Jewell - have teams of horses this season at Emerald Downs.
Kevin Krigger, who ended a run of five straight titles by Alex Cruz, defends his Emerald Downs riding title while 2025 training champion Jorge Rosales aims for his third title overall.
Seattle U signs Williams
Seattle University men's basketball has announced the signing of Seattle native and O'Dea product Mason Williams to the roster.
Williams, a 6-foot-5 guard, returns to his hometown after spending the 2025-26 season at Iowa State, where he earned Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll recognition during the fall semester before ultimately redshirting the season due to injury.
Before Iowa State, Williams played two seasons at Eastern Washington. He started 22 of 27 games and averaged a career-best 13.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in 2024-25.
