Originally published May 27, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 27, 2007 at 2:00 AM
Get your heart racing at Emerald Downs
Pressed against the cold metal rail at the Emerald Downs finish line, I can already feel the vibration from the pounding hooves of the Thoroughbreds...
Times Southeast bureau
CHRIS JOSEPH TAYLOR / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Horses parade in the paddock area at Emerald Downs as spectators check out the horses before placing bets. At the paddock, you're looking for clues as to whether the horse is alert and ready to run, said fan educator Doug "Hack" Hillstrom.
CHRIS JOSEPH TAYLOR / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Emerald Downs first-timer Aubrey Sarver, 22, of Federal Way, celebrates as Easter Sonny Boy, the horse she and her friend Diana Worton, 24, of Tacoma, bet on to win, paid off during the fourth race.
CHRIS JOSEPH TAYLOR / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Each time a person places a bet they receive a voucher showing their bet. The voucher has to be presented to receive the winnings.
CHRIS JOSEPH TAYLOR / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Jockey Juan Gutierrez rides Coug'd It down the home stretch as Ricky Frazier on Chuckalee tries to catch up. Coug'd It took the victory.
How to pick a horse
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Before you bet the farm — or your lunch money — you have to pick a horse. Some people pick a horse if they like the name, others have favorites they always follow. If you're new to this, a guide at the track gives a short history of the horse's performance in past races. While knowing a horse's track record is helpful, it helps to take a trip down to the paddock and check out the horses yourself.
At the paddocks, you're looking for the little things, said fan educator Doug "Hack" Hillstrom.
Sweat on the horse's neck indicates the horse may be nervous and may not be focused on the race. Ears up — the horse is alert and ready; ears pinned back, the horse is angry — and angry horses do not run well.
Like human athletes, horses often compete with bandaged legs. Although a bandage can indicate a real injury, sometimes that horse will run just fine.
Don't expect to pick a winner your first time to the track — learning horses comes with experience.
Now that you've seen the horses, put some money on your choice. Even if you're planning to bet just a few bucks for fun, pick up the track's "Wagering Guide." This guide outlines the different kinds of bets and even tells you what to say when you walk up to the window.
There are two kinds of bets: straight and exotic. A straight $2 bet can buy you either a win (your horse must win the race), a place bet (your horse must come in first or second place), or a show bet (your horse must finish in the top three).
If you feel like taking a chance, you can go for the exotic bets: exacta, trifecta and superfecta. In an exotic bet, you select specifically which horses will finish first and second (exacta), first through third (trifecta) and first through fourth place (superfecta).
All exotic bets are a $1 minimum bet and yield a higher payoff.
The odds change depending on how much money is bet on the horse. The more people who bet on a specific horse, the lower the odds and the lower the payoff if that horse wins.
You can place your bet up until the time the horses are loaded into the starting gate.
A reminder: You must be 18 to bet.
Handicapper. Someone who uses different variables to determine the probability of any given horse winning a race.
Furlong One-eighth of a mile. Races at Emerald Downs range from two to 16 furlongs. The track is eight furlongs in length.
Paddock The area at the track where the horses are saddled and jockeys meet the trainer to go over last-minute instructions.
Backstretch The area between the two turns on the side of the track opposite the grandstand where horses begin sprinting to the finish.
Tote board The sign in the center of the track that displays race information, including how much money has been wagered on each race.
Blanket finish When the horses finish so closely together they could be covered with a blanket.
Source: Emerald Downs
Getting there
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Traveling to Emerald Downs is easy. The track is located just off state Route 167 in Auburn.
There are several options for parking. If you're willing to walk a few hundred feet, you can park for free in general parking. To be closer to the door, there's $5 preferred parking and $10 valet parking, if you're splurging.
Pressed against the cold metal rail at the Emerald Downs finish line, I can already feel the vibration from the pounding hooves of the Thoroughbreds racing down the backstretch.
As the horses round the track, dirt flying underfoot, the announcer's voice gets louder and faster. The crowd has migrated from the betting windows and food stands to cluster at the finish line. Whether they've wagered $2 or $1,000, for one moment everyone is focused on the track.
Up until now, my experience with horse racing consisted of renting "National Velvet" on video nearly two decades ago and watching this year's Kentucky Derby. I tuned in to the Derby to see Queen Elizabeth II and watch women in big hats drink mint juleps.
Getting there
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Traveling to Emerald Downs is easy. The track is located just off state Route 167 in Auburn.
There are several options for parking. If you're willing to walk a few hundred feet, you can park for free in general parking. To be closer to the door, there's $5 preferred parking and $10 valet parking, if you're splurging.
But when the pageantry gave way to sport, I surprised myself by screaming with excitement as would-be champion Street Sense steadily pushed to the front of the pack.
Captivated by a newfound interest in horse racing, I remembered there's no need to travel to Kentucky to spend a day at the track.
We have Emerald Downs.
I've lived in King County most of my life, but I've never set foot at the Auburn race track. And my first visit was a little intimidating.
Not knowing where to go, I walked in the front gate and went straight to the elevator. I pushed the button for a random floor: three.
As the elevator doors opened, my senses were hit with an unfamiliar scene. People were scribbling on papers and cheering in front of televisions mounted high above. I heard the buzz of track lingo I didn't understand. I got a whiff of hay and horses.
Race-track lingo
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Handicapper. Someone who uses different variables to determine the probability of any given horse winning a race.
Furlong One-eighth of a mile. Races at Emerald Downs range from two to 16 furlongs. The track is eight furlongs in length.
Paddock The area at the track where the horses are saddled and jockeys meet the trainer to go over last-minute instructions.
Backstretch The area between the two turns on the side of the track opposite the grandstand where horses begin sprinting to the finish.
Tote board The sign in the center of the track that displays race information, including how much money has been wagered on each race.
Blanket finish When the horses finish so closely together they could be covered with a blanket.
Source: Emerald Downs
The reader board in the center of the track could have been written in a foreign language. Numbers, abbreviated words, colors and more numbers.
Luckily, the race track staff anticipate newcomer confusion. On the track level, there's a handy interactive welcome center where a fan educator can answer most questions for track beginners.
Doug "Hack" Hillstrom, veteran race expert, gave me a quick schooling on Horse Racing 101.
He took me through the basics of betting and how to pick a horse. We walked down to the paddock — an area where the public can watch the horses get ready before the race — and Hillstrom pointed out what to look for in a good horse.
He said to pay attention to the animal's behavior and any injuries.
Suddenly, the track didn't seem so confusing.
After watching a few races, I decided I was ready to put my money on a horse. I took Hillstrom's advice and observed the horses for a few minutes before the race. I settled on a big guy, who looked calm and sure, despite the bandages on all four legs.
I took my $2 betting ticket and headed down to the track to root for my horse. He ran well and finished in the top three. I didn't pick a winner, but I felt good about my choice.
Although I still have much to learn, I'll definitely be back.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

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