Emerald Downs turns 10

AUBURN — Racing in Western Washington came to a dramatic and teary-eyed stop on Sept. 21, 1992, when Longacres closed after a 59-year run.

And it wasn't easy getting racing started again, but nearly four years after the close of the Renton oval, Emerald Downs opened on June 20, 1996.

Today, the track will hold a 10-year birthday party, with gifts — a $10 wagering voucher — for all paying customers. First post is 2 p.m.

There was racing in Yakima and Spokane, and simulcast wagering for a while at Longacres. But while Western Washington horse-racing fans could only watch on TV, Ron Crockett and a group of investors kept the faith, jumping through hoop after hoop to return live racing.

And finally, the day came.

Lots of local household names were back — Baze, Ross, Mitchell, Penney, Gonsalves, Steiner, McCanna, Klokstad, Withee, Belvoir, Gibson, Wright, Roberts, Cooper, Lumm, Gillihan, Alvarado, Bullock and Lucarelli.

During the past 10 years there has been much to see and experience at the Auburn track.

Fans and bettors have witnessed spectacular fireworks shows, made a dinner out of dollar dogs, seen geese roaming the infield. Listened with undivided attention to Robert Geller calling the races.

The track acquired a new landlord, the Muckleshoot Tribe.

There were world and state records set.

Tonya Harding made an appearance on a crazy Friday night that got crazier when a naked guy ran through the infield and climbed a 12-foot chain-link fence.

There was the sight of Chinook Pass leading the post parade, white horses racing, weiner dogs dashing, California hotshots Isitingood, Wild Wonder, Budroyale, Sky Jack and Adreamisborn making the trek up in mid-August to add their chapters to the Longacres Mile.

And the daily purse money has moved in the right direction.

Hall of Fame jockeys Gary Stevens, Eddie Delahoussaye, Pat Day and Laffit Pincay Jr. have worked their magic. Sizzling first quarters of 21 seconds and change and half-mile splits of 44-1/5 have become the norm.

Two-year-old fillies have won races, then a few years later, their babies have taken to the Emerald Downs surface.

Sounds like a birthday celebration is in order.