Muckleshoot Gold Cup Indian Relay Races Scheduled for Father's Day Weekend

AUBURN, Wash. – Emerald Downs has announced 23 stakes worth $1,240,000 in purses for its 2023 live racing season that begins Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 6.

The prestigious Muckleshoot Gold Cup Indian Relay Race Championships have been confirmed for Father’s Day Weekend, June 16-18. There are several relay race championships in the West, but none is farther west than this one! Mark your calendars!

Admission to Emerald Downs is always free for Native families, any tribe, any day. One person should show a valid ID from a federally recognized tribe. The 88th running of the $150,000 Longacres Mile anchors an August 13 stakes quadruple-header featuring the $50,000 Emerald Distaff, the $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby, and the $50,000 Washington Oaks.

The track’s premier event for 3-year-olds and up, the Longacres Mile was captured in 2022 by KD Thoroughbreds Slew’s Tiz Whiz over Lusk Racing’s Papa’s Golden Boy as Washington-breds took down the top two spots.

The older horse division, 4 years and up, begins with the $50,000 Budweiser Stakes (6F) on Sunday, June 25, followed by the $50,000 Governor’s Stakes (6 ½ F) on Sunday, July 23, and the Longacres Mile.

The 2023 stakes schedule features eight stakes double-headers, the Super Sunday quadruple-header August 14, and a closing day triple-headerSunday, Sept. 17, featuring the $70,000 Gottstein Futurity for the Northwest’s top 2-year-olds.

The $50,000 Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and $50,000 Auburn Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings kick off stakes action on Sunday, June 18.

Seven stakes are offered for 2-year-olds – three apiece for fillies and colts and geldings – finishing with the Gottstein Futurity at a mile and one-sixteenth.

Washington Cup features four stakes – the $50,000 Washington CupJuvenile Colts & Geldings and $50,000 Washington Cup and $50,000Washington Cup Juvenile Fillies on Sunday, August 27, and the $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic and $50,000 Washington Cup Fillies &Mares on Sunday, September 17.

In addition to 21 Thoroughbred stakes, Emerald Downs offers two stakes for Quarter Horses – the $30,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship for 2-year-olds and the 14th running of the $40,000 Bank of America Emerald Championship Challenge for 3-year-olds and up.

Opening day for the 2022 season is Saturday, May 6, coinciding with the 149th Kentucky Derby. The 52-day meet concludes Sunday, September 17.

2023 Emerald Downs Stakes Schedule

• June 18 Seattle Stakes (3YOF) 6F $50,000
• June 18 Auburn Stakes (3YO) 6F $50,000
• June 25 Hastings Stakes (3&UP F&M) 6F $50,000
• June 25 Budweiser Stakes (3&UP) 6F $50,000
• July 9 Angie C Stakes (2YOF) 5 ½ F $50,000
• July 9 King County Express (2YO C&G) 5 ½ F $50,000
• July 16 Kent Stakes (3YOF) 6 ½ F $50,000
• July 16 Irish Day Stakes (3YO) 6 ½ F $50,000
• July 23 Governor’s Stakes (3&UP) 6 ½ F $50,000
• July 23 WA St Legislators S (3&UP F&M) 6 ½ F $50,000
• Aug 6 WTBOA Lassies Stakes (2YOF) 6 ½ F $50,000
• Aug 6 WTBOA Lads Stakes (2YO C&G) 6 ½ F $50,000
• Aug 13 Muckleshoot Derby (3YO) 1 1/16 M $50,000
• Aug 13 Washington Oaks (3YOF) 1 1/16 M $50,000
• Aug 13 Emerald Distaff (3&UP F&M) 1 1/16 M $50,000
• Aug 13 Longacres Mile (3&UP 1M $150,000
• Aug 20 Bank of America EmD Chlg (3&UP) 440Y $40,000
• Aug 20 John Deere Juvenile Challenge (2YO) 350Y $30,000
• Aug 27 WA Cup Juvenile Filly (2YOF WA) 6 ½ F $50,000
• Aug 27 WA Cup Juvenile C&G (2YO WA) 6 ½ F $50,000
• Sept 17 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic (3& UP) 1 1/16 M $50,000
• Sept 17 WA Cup Filly & Mare (3&UP F&M) 1 1/16 M $50,000
• Sept 17 Gottstein Futurity (2YO) 1 1/16 M $70,000