The 31st season at Emerald Downs in Auburn came to a close over Labor Day weekend, delivering a series of memorable victories that underscore the track’s growing prominence in Washington’s racing circuit.
Top jockeys and trainers
Silvio Amador capped an impressive year with a win aboard Tiosimage in the third race on Sept. 7, bringing his season total to 68 wins in just 47 days at Emerald Downs. Adrian Castellanos finished second in the rider standings with 60 wins, while Kevin Krigger added two victories on Sept. 7 to secure third place.
Trainer Howie Gibson celebrated his first title at Emerald Downs, guiding the wire‑to‑wire winner Creative Om to victory in the $30,000 Carrots and Cupcakes race. Gibson’s stable recorded 33 wins this season.
Signature races
The marquee event of the weekend, the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic for 3‑year‑olds and up, saw Robin Racer claim the $50,000 purse on Sept. 5. Jockey Frank Alvarado rode the horse from last place to a 1:41.33 finish, marking Robin Racer as the third 3‑year‑old to win the race at Emerald Downs and the 11th in its 84‑year history. The horse finished the year with a 5‑2‑0 record in nine starts, the most successful campaign at the track.
In the Muckleshoot Tribal Distaff, Tipitap became the first 3‑year‑old to win the 31‑year‑old race, edging out Aloha Breeze. Tipitap, recently a Washington Oaks winner, was claimed for $50,000 in April at Santa Anita and has now secured two consecutive stakes victories, posting a 2‑0‑1 record in eight starts with $64,275 in earnings.
Veteran performers
Older filly Aloha Breeze improved her career record to 16‑5‑1 in 24 starts, amassing $426,400 in earnings. At Emerald Downs she has won 14 of her 20 starts, ranking No. 1 all‑time in stakes wins by an older filly with ten victories, including four wins in 2026 alone.
Overall, the season highlighted the depth of talent among jockeys, trainers, and horses at Emerald Downs, setting a strong foundation for the upcoming 2027 campaign.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
