2025 Race Season Job OpeningsThe Washington Horse Racing Commission is currently accepting applications for a Racing Steward for the 2025 race season. More information on the position and the application are available at the following link:
Racing Steward / Part-Time / Seasonal For more information, please contact the Olympia Office at (360)459-6462. All applications are due by January 29, 2025. Labor and Industries Rates for 2025 ReleasedThe Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has published its 2025 industrial insurance rates for the Horse Industry Account. Rates are determined by data from the previous five years, July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2023, of exposure and claim experience. Rates will increase for Risk Classes 6625, 6626, and 6627. Grooms and assistant trainers are up $11.69 per month, exercise, and pony riders at the track, 19 cents per day per horse, and exercise and pony riders at the farms $1.00 per day.
Good safety procedures in the stable area and ensuring that no fraudulent claims are filed are the best ways to stabilize or reduce premiums in the future. The following are the proposed industrial insurance rates for 2025:
2024 Owners and Breeders Bonus distributedThe Owners and Breeders bonuses for 2024 were mailed on Thursday, December 19, 2024. The bonuses are calculated by using the total handle by Washington State residents during the live race meet at Emerald Downs. The WHRC is still attempting to contact and/or waiting to receive the SWV forms required by the Office of Financial Management prior to them processing those checks. If you believe you have bonus money coming and do not receive your award by December 31st, please call to ensure that it was sent or for instructions on how to submit the form.
The total Owners Bonus is determined by 1% of all In-State handle during the live Emerald Downs race meet along with 2.5% of the Source Market fees generated from Advance Deposit Wagering. A total of $396,199.06 was generated for all owners of Washington Breds which finished first, second, third, or fourth at Emerald Downs. Washington Breds earned $2,494,423.16 during the 2024 race meet. This led to a 15.8834% bonus to all owners of Washington Breds that qualified for the awards. There are 139 different owners or ownership groups that will receive the bonus checks for the 192 different Washington Bred horses that finished first, second, third, or fourth at Emerald Downs. The top three owners were in order: El Dorado Farm (Ron & Nina Hagen), Blue Ribon Farm, and Jill Fabulich and Lori Heist. The Breeders Bonus is determined by 1% of the handle on all exotic wagers on races conducted at Emerald Downs, (all wagers other than win, place, and show), during the live meet as required in RCW 67.16.175, as well as 2.5% of Source Market Fees from Advance Deposit Wagering. For 2024 a total of $190,825.76 was generated from the exotic wagers placed on Emerald Downs live races and from SMF thorough ADW. All breeders of Washington Bred horses which finish first, second, or third receive bonus awards. Of the money generated, 75% is given to the horses for purses earned when finishing first, 15% for purses earned for second, and 10% for purses earned for third place. The percentage for the awards is as follows, 9.1980% for first place purses, 5.8405% for second place purses, and 6.3368% for third place purses. A total of 76 breeders will receive bonus checks for 167 different Washington Bred horses that finished first, second or third at Emerald Downs. The top three breeders were in order: El Dorado Farm (Ron & Nina Hagen), Blue Ribbon Farm (Frederick and Debbie Pabst), and Bar C Racing Stables, Inc. (Pam and Ken Christopherson). Click here for a breakdown of the 2024 Owners Bonus payment factors. Click here for a breakdown of the 2024 Breeders Awards payment factors. Emerald Downs 2025 Race Dates ApprovedAt the regularly scheduled, November 8, 2024, Washington Horse Racing Commission meeting, the commissioners unanimously voted to approve the race date request for Emerald Downs 2025 race meet.
Emerald Downs requested a 51-day live racing season for 2025, with opening day on Sunday, April 27th and finishing the season on September 7th. More information on race dates, post times and promotions can be found at www.emeralddowns.com or by clicking here. A printable Emerald Downs 2025 live racing calendar can be viewed by clicking here. 2024 Emerald Downs HonorsPrecise Timing, Alex Cruz, and Justin Evans were the big winners as Emerald Downs wrapped up its 29th season of live racing Sunday afternoon.
Precise Timing—undefeated with three stakes wins—was voted 2024 Horse of the Meeting, becoming only the fourth 2-year-old and the first 2-year-old filly to win the track’s top award. She also took honors as Top 2-Year-Old Filly and Top Washington Bred. A dark bay by Dialed In-Peaceful Nation, Precise Timing was bred by Rick and Debbie Pabst, owned by Blue Ribbon Racing 23, trained by Kay Cooper, and ridden by Kevin Orozco. Precise Timing was the meet’s lone triple stakes winner and finished No. 1 in earnings with $91,050. She’s the eighth Washington Bred in 11 years voted Horse of the Meeting. Jockey Alex Cruz enjoyed yet another stellar season, leading in wins (63) and earnings ($843,004) and winning a record fifth straight riding title. Cruz, 31, becomes the first jockey in state history with five consecutive titles at the same track. Justin Evans was the dominant trainer, taking his second straight title with 63 wins and amassing the highest win percentage (32.4) of any leading trainer in Emerald Downs history. His win total is sixth highest in track history, and his 1.14 average wins per card is second highest in track history. Evans also was the meet’s leading owner—teaming with Jeff Rakoczy for 17 wins—and trained four of the meet’s top horses: Arma d’Oro (Top Handicap Horse), Neiman (Top Sprinter), Surprsinglyperfect (Top Claimer), and Colonel Ludlow (Top 2-Year-Old Colt or Gelding). Tom Wenzel led all trainers with five stakes wins and conditioned a pair of champions: Aloha Breeze (Top Older Filly or Mare), Lapush (Top 3-Year-Old Filly). Aloha Breeze won the Washington State Legislators Stakes and Emerald Distaff by 17 ¾ lengths and is the first filly or mare in Emerald Downs history to win titles at ages 2, 3, and 4. A 4-year-old by The Factor owned by George Todaro, Aloha Breeze is 7-1-0 in 10 career starts at Emerald Downs with five stakes victories and $183,250 in earnings. Carlos Montalvo, regular rider on Aloha Breeze and Lapush, was the meet’s leading stakes rider. Dynamic Secret, 2 3/4-length winner of the Muckleshoot Derby, was voted Top 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding. The 89th running of the Longacres Mile won by Five Star General was 2024 Race of the Meeting. Owned by Ken Alhadeff, trained by Grant Forster, and ridden by Joe Bravo, Five Star General caught Clovisconnection in the final jump to become only the fifth two-time Mile winner and posting a fifth straight top three finish in the state’s biggest race. Coast Guard and perennial leader Harbor the Gold tied for leading sire with 19 wins each. It’s the 12th title in 14 years for Harbor the Gold, who in 2024 became the first stallion with 500 wins at Emerald Downs. Claiming activity was hot and heavy throughout the season with a record 264 horses red-tagged for an aggregate $1,849,250, eclipsing the former mark of 242 set in 2019. Full list of honors for the 2024 Emerald Downs race meet: Horse of Meeting: Precise Timing Washington-bred: Precise Timing Older Horse: Arma d’Oro Older Filly or Mare: Aloha Breeze 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Dynamic Secret 3-Year-Old Filly: Lapush 2-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Colonel Ludlow 2-Year-Old Filly: Precise Timing Sprinter: Neiman Claimer: Surprsinglyperfect Race of Meeting: Longacres Mile (Five Star General) Leading Jockey Wins: Alex Cruz, 63 Leading Jockey Stakes Wins: Carlos Montalvo, 4 Leading Jockey Earnings: Alex Cruz, $843,004 Leading Apprentice Jockey: Manuel Americano, 16 Leading Trainer: Justin Evans, 63 Leading Trainer Stakes Wins: Tom Wenzel, 5 Leading Trainer Earnings: Justin Evans, $836,192 Leading Owner: Rakoczy Racing LLC and Justin Evans, 17 Leading Owner Earnings: Rakoczy Racing LLC and Justin Evans, $211,283 Leading Horse Wins: tie-Mary Walker (4), Surprsinglyperfect (4), Taino House (4) Leading Horse Stakes Wins: Precise Timing, 3 Leading Horse Earnings: Precise Timing, $91,050 Riding Achievement: Alex Cruz first in Washington history with five consecutive titles Training Achievement: Justin Evans record single-season win percentage while winning second straight title Martin Durkan Award: Miguel Hernandez, Anne Wisdom Lindy Award: Luis Reyes Leading Sire Wins: tie-Coast Guard (19), Harbor the Gold (19) Claims: 264 for aggregate $1,849,250 Emerald Downs concludes live racing for 2024The 2024 Emerald Downs 55-day live race meet concluded on Sunday, September 15 with an eleven-race card. Washington racing saw continued changes in 2024 related to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority that was passed by the Federal legislative in 2021, and the implementation of the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program administered by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit. This program has been enforcing industry-wide equine testing standards after several delays along with some confusion and issues, but with the help of Emerald Downs, LLC, the Washington HBPA, and WHRC staff, racing did not suffer any major negative impacts to its product on the track.
Overall live handle from May 4th to September 15th was $22,870,952.5 for an average of $1,69,414.46 per day. There were 2,791 starters in 433 races for an average field size of 6.45. Who is Horse racing?
The Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association has created a video showing the diversity and economic impact it has on those participating in horse racing, from the breeders to the employees that care for the horses on a day-to-day basis. Click here to see the video or it can be viewed below.
WHRC Owners License Applications and Labor and Industries Premiums
All owners applying for a WHRC license are required to pay a subsidy to the Horsemen's Labor and Industries Account. The amount is based on the percentage of horses owned. The maximum amount to be paid is $150.00. The WHRC calculates the premium at a minimum of 10% ownership and then rounded up in increments of 5% after. Percentage of multiple horses are added together for calculations. For example, if an individual owns 11% of one horse and 12.5% of a second horse for a total of 23.5%, the percentage is rounded up to 25% and the L & I premium would be $37.50. Once an owner has paid $150.00, no additional premium is required. Below is a chart for premiums due:
1% to 10% ownership = $15.00 11% to 15% ownership = $22.50 16% to 20% ownership = $30.00 21% to 25% ownership = $37.50 26% to 30% ownership = $45.00 31% to 35% ownership = $52.50 36% to 40% ownership = $60.00 41% to 45% ownership = $67.50 46% to 50% ownership = $75.00 51% to 55% ownership = $82.50 56% to 60% ownership = $90.00 61% to 65% ownership = $97.50 66% to 70% ownership = $105.00 71% to 75% ownership = $112.50 76% to 80% ownership = $120.00 81% to 85% ownership = $127.50 86% to 90% ownership = $135.00 91% to 95% ownership = $142.50 96% to 100% ownership = $150.00 This premium is addition to the actual license fees of $96.00 plus $10.00 fingerprint fee, ($106.00), for all applicants over the age of 17 and under the age of 70. For those under 18 or over 69 the license fee is $96.00. If you are unsure of how to calculate the ownership percentages or have any questions please call the WHRC offices at 360-459-6462 in Olympia or 253-931-6372 at Emerald Downs. |
Washington State’s Down the Stretch Ranch Garners National Attention
Down The Stretch Ranch co-founded in 2015 by Hall of Fame Trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, his wife Janet, and Boone McCanna in Creston, Washington has gotten national attention recently. The foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit thoroughbred race horse retirement facility which connects injured or retired racehorses with United States Veterans and through the use of equine therapy helps bring comfort and companionship to veterans.
Down The Stretch ranch was recently placed in national spotlight by trainer Doug O’Neill whose support of the foundation was on display during Breeders Cup week when his horses wore coolers featuring Down The Stretch Ranch. The Paulick Report also recently featured an article written by Hank Wesch of Del Mar about Down The Stretch Ranch and the work it is doing with retired thoroughbred racehorses and veterans that can be viewed by clicking here. For more information on Down The Stretch Ranch and what can be done to support their cause please visit their website http://www.downthestretch.org/ or their Facebook page by clicking here. Now Accepting Credit & Debit Cards
The Washington Horse Racing Commission is now accepting Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit and debit cards for the payment of WHRC license fees, Labor & Industries Industrial Insurance premiums and other fines/fees collected. A service fee of 3% will be added to all credit or debit transactions.
Rulemaking Notification List
Any person who wishes to receive notification about WHRC rulemaking activities can be added to the stakeholder list. Requests to be added to the stakeholder list may be made by email at [email protected], by telephone at 360-459-6462, by fax at 360-459-6461, or by mail at 6326 Martin Way, Suite 209, Olympia, WA 98516-5578.
Follow the WHRC Board of Stewards on Twitter
You can now follow the WHRC Board of Stewards on twitter. Get the latest rider changes, scratches, etc. directly from the stewards. Limited explanation of inquires and objections will be posted with a link to the Emerald Downs website for daily stewards report with a more detailed explanation that are up within 72 hours of each race day. Click here to start following at @whrcstewards for all the information.
Fingerprint Requirements
The WHRC adopted changes to WAC 260-36-100 in 2019 which resulted in changes to the fingerprint requirements for applicants and licensees. Fingerprint based criminal history checks through the FBI are normally required every five years but may be required at any time. Each year every person between the ages of eighteen and sixty-nine must pay a $10 fingerprint processing fee in addition to the license fees. Any applicant or licensee over the age of sixty-nine or under the age of eighteen will not be required to pay the $10 fingerprint fee unless fingerprints are requested by the WHRC and they will be required to pay the entire cost of the submission at time of processing. Additionally, fingerprints may be required in the following circumstances:
2022 WHRC Annual ReportThe Washington Horse Racing Commission's 2022 Annual Report to the Governor is available to view by visiting the WHRC Forms and Reports page or clicking here.
ARCI discusses regulation against "doping" and medication violations
The Association of Racing Commissioners International, of which the WHRC is a current member, and the University of Florida Racing Laboratory has released a five minute video in which the history of medication and horse racing is discussed. The video discusses current standards and protections in place to detect and deter intentional administrations. The WHRC has adopted virtually all of the recommended threshold levels currently recommended by the ARCI. Click here or scroll down to view the video.
Senator Derek Stanford appointed to commission as Ex-Officio
On January 18, 2022, Senator Derek Stanford was appointed as the newest Ex-Officio for the WHRC. Senator Stanford replaces Steve Hobbs, who was earlier appointed as Secretary of State.
Senator Stanford serves the 1st Legislative District which encompasses Bothell and areas north. He previously served as a Representative where he was the Chair of the Commerce and Gaming Committee. Currently in his role as Senator he is the Vice Chair for the Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee as well as serving on other committees. The WHRC welcomes Senator Stanford to the industry and looks forward to working with him on all issues surrounding horse racing. WHRC Votes on HISA fee assessmentAt the regularly scheduled meeting of the Washington Horse Racing Commission on November 8, 2024, the WHRC commissioners unanimously voted to submit fees to the created Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, (HISA) pending a signed agreement outlining the fees and credits along with the duties required. The Authority was created by the U.S. Congress in December of 2020 and was given the task of creating safety and medication standards for all pari-mutuel jurisdictions participating in inter-state simulcasting.
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