5/17/2026

(Auburn, WA) Sunday was the 5th day of live racing and the Promo department rolled out the 1st big promotion of the year with the Bulldog races. 80 Bulldogs signed up to do battle on the Emerald home stretch. Our full coverage of the Bulldogs is below.

The Numbers

Sunday’s card had 8 live races with a total of 53 starters or 6.6 per race average. 7 races were 5-6 furlongs on the fast track and the first 1-mile and 70 yard race of the season was run in the 3rd race with 6 breaking from the gate.

Handle

The bettors responded to a stronger card on Sunday with $1,418,938 wagered for n average of $177,367 per race. This was the 2nd highest handle of the early season so far in 2026.

There were several opportunities to hit some good pays on Sunday. The $2 win-place-shows overall returned the highest on the season with the top pay on Sunday in the 6th with Blazing Peme at $15.88. In that same race 2nd place 9-1 Golden River paid $10.74 to place and $6.48 to show. But 12-1 Exactamundo in the 4th paid more to place at $11.50 and $7.28 to show.

The top exacta, trifecta and superfecta were all from the 4th race with the exacta of 4-1 Chase to 12-1 Exactamundo returned $67.27. Add 7-2 Cozmic Brownie in the show spot for a $149.02 for the 50-cent bet. Running 4th was a 34-1 shot that pushed the 10-cent superfecta to $317.31.

The 10-cent Jackpot Pick 6 again had multiple winners meaning there was no single winner taking the whole pot. But 6 out of 6 paid a season high $630.28. The carryover is $4,478 going into next Saturday.

From the Saddle

#500

Kevin Krigger came into the day with 499 wins at Emerald Downs getting 499 on Saturday in the feature with Tax Code. He began Sunday with rides in races 1 thru 6 with multiple chances to get #500.

He got it done in the 4th race aboard 4-1 Chase. Krigger went straight to the lead and had plenty left for stretch and extended his lead to nearly 8 lengths. It was a relief to get to the benchmark and focus on defending his jockey title.

Krigger adds to his impressive career numbers of 8,746 mounts with 1,260 wins, 1,263 places and 1,197 show finishes. Krigger is just short of 24-million dollars in career earnings.

Double Wins create 4 way tie

Both Silvio Amador and Adrian Castellanos picked up two wins on Sunday. Amador won the 3rd race on Benny Buckets and the finale aboard C Her Beauty. Castellanos won the 5th with Bobby’s Genie and the feature race aboard Subtle Shimmer.

Karlo Lopez also won giving him 6 wins for the year creating a 4-way logjam for 1st with Krigger, Amador, Castellanos and Lopez all with 6 wins.

Both Isaias Enriquez and Blake Nunnally got wins on Sunday and were their second wins of the season. Enriquez won for the 2nd time this year on My Vino with last to first moves. Enriquez is now 2-1-2 from 5 starts.

Nunnally made a heady move in the 6th race aboard Blazing Peme. Nunnally let the pace set quick fractions while he hugged the rail waited for an opening and exploded to the front to win by a head. 

Orozco back

An Emerald Downs favorite Kevin Orozco made his 2026 debut this past weekend. Orozco had a ride in the 7th race on Saturday, his first since November 8 at Del Mar. Orozco injured his shoulder in a training accident and has been rehabbing since late last year.

Orozco had a solid season last year at Emerald finishing 5th in the jockey standings with 28 wins. Orozco rides for many barns and has multiple Stakes win for trainer Kay Cooper.

Orozco did not hit the board on Saturday and had 2 shots on Sunday.

Barn News

HR Gibson Race

Sunday was a big day for the Gibson’s. The 3rd race was named the HR Gibson Memorial Purse. HR passed away earlier this year after a lifetime career in Northwest racing. HR Gibson began his career back in the 70’s and was a mainstay at Longacres, Emerald Downs and other Washington and NW tracks.

His nephew, Vince Gibson who began his career working for his uncle and becoming a jockey has been a long time trainer. Vince had the favorite in HR’s race, Benny Buckets. Silvio Amador went straight to the lead and never looked back in the 1 mile and 70 yard run. 

Later in the day, another nephew of HR, Howie Gibson won the feature race wearing HR’s trademark silks of green with black sleeves and an 8-ball on the back. Subtle Shimmer came from last to win it in a thrilling finish.

We’ll have more on HR Gibson and his career in another story later this week. 

We talked with Vince Gibson after winning the HR Gibson Purse.

The Bulldogs

The first big promotion of the year had 80 Bulldogs entered in two categories. Thanks to Vince Bruun and Gary Dougherty for their great re-cap of the Bulldog races.

The sun made its way out in the early afternoon and it was a picture perfect day for Bulldog Racing at Emerald Downs presented by Pacifico. Over 70 French and English Bulldogs went racing over the 50-yard dirt course in front of the big grandstand.

FRENCH BULLDOGS

Winston Bolt owned by Braden Frederick shipped in from San Diego, CA and took top honors in the French championship race. Finishing second was Korra and third Mark the Shark.

HEAT WINNERS

Heat 1 – Korra, James & Laurie Boyer-Balise, Everett, WA.

Heat 2 – Ron, Tim & Kim Navratil, Kirkland, WA.

Heat 3 – Winston Bolt, Braden Frederick San Diego, CA.

Heat 4 – Mark the Shark, Zane Meyers & Kristine Ells, Bellevue, WA.

CHAMPIONSHIP

1st Winston Bolt
2nd Korra
3rd Mark the Shark

Championship Heat

ENGLISH BULLDOGS

Oscar “moo moo lulu” Cornelius Power from Seattle was very fast from the beginning and crossed the finish line first in the English Bulldog championship race. Owned by Julian Power of Seattle. Finishing second was Sir Nigel Pedington who won the 2025 race.

HEAT WINNERS

Heat 1 – Sir Nigel Pedington, Kimberly Houghton, Oak Harbor, WA.

Heat 2 – Rudy, Andrea Seachord, Puyallup, WA.

Heat 3 – Oscar “moo moo lulu” Cornelius Power, Julian Power, Seattle, WA.

Heat 4 – Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Sue Harms Bellevue, WA.

CHAMPIONSHIP

1st Oscar “moo moo lulu” Cornelius Power
2nd Sir Nigel Pedington
3rd Meathead

Championship Heat

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Emerald Downs Sunday Races

7th Feature Race The Muckleshoot Resort Purse

Subtle Shimmer was lucky to keep jockey Adrian Castellanos in the saddle after a big stumble out of the gate. Castellanos had to regain control and make sure everything was ok before settling Shimmer down and by that time they were 10 lengths behind in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint.

7-1 Guard Your Spot with Silvio Amador went to the lead battling Knaughty Knight for the pace and setting sizzling fractions of 21.22 and 44.32. Meantime, 3-5 odds-on choice Into My Sunset and Isaias Enriquez sat in the stalking spot 4th about 3 lengths behind waiting patiently to make her move.

As they turned for home, Guard Your Spot put away Knaughty Knight but then had to contend with Into My Sunset who glided up and took a 1/2 length lead at the 16th pole over a stubborn Guard Your Spot and looked like she had it won.

During this whole run Castellanos let Subtle Shimmer relax and turning for home they had some momentum built up. Castellanos eased to the outside and came 4 wide. Castellanos let Shimmer shine as she exploded down the stretch and caught Into My Sunset with about 20 yards to go and won by a 1/2 length in a final time of 1:03.54.

Guard Your Spot ran big and was just 3/4’s of a length behind Into My Sunset for 3rd. Omache Girl with Taliyah Timentwa rallied late to be 4th.

Subtle Shimmer is owned by Ty Leatherman and Addison Evans and trained by Howard Gibson. The 3-year-old filly is a Washington bred by Conveyance out of Private Fortune by Private Gold and was bred by Frederick and Debbie Pabst.

Gibson was pleased to have Adrian Castellanos wear his uncle HR Gibson’s trademark Black and Green Silks with an 8-ball on the back. Gibson said it was a great ending to a great day honoring his uncle.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-5 $10.05
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-5-3 $13.43
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-5-3-1 $17.08
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-2 $61.34
• $0.50 PICK 3 3-1-2 $61.86

Race Replay

The rest of Sunday’s Races

1st Race

A field of 5 went 6 furlongs in the Bulldog day opener and Conrad Meadows popped out of the gate first, the 13-1 longshot under Francisco Diaz-Lopez and set quick fractions of 22.05 and 44.82. 7-5 betting choice Louis the First and Kevin Krigger gave chase and tried to pressure Conrad Meadows but never could get in front of the outsider.

9-5 second choice My Vino with Isaias Enriquez coming off a last to first win a week ago took to the back of the pack once again. In his first win he did it skimming the rail. Enriquez took the same path and about halfway around the turn began to pick up the pace. At the 1/8th pole he had to guide My Vino to the outside and did so without stopping his momentum and ran by them all for a 3/4’s length win in a final time of 1:10.12.

Conrad Meadows held 2nd, Louie the First was 3rd and R Barracuda with Alex Cruz completed the superfecta. My Vino races for TVAL Racing and trained by Frank Lucarelli.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-3 $24.57
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-3-1 $30.63
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-3-1-2 $10.33

Race Replay

2nd Race

28-1 longshot Shady Harbor went to the lead in this field of 6 going 5 1/2 furlongs and apprentice Pablo Castillo set the early pace. 7-2 Social Status with Kevin Krigger sat in the stalking position and got first run turning for home but then had to contend with the hard charging 1-1 favorite Can’tdealwithit and Karlo Lopez. That pair squared off for about 200 yards refusing to give in and came down to the closest finish of the year so far with Can’tdealwithit getting the win by a whisker. Can’tdealwithit races for Hat Trick Racing and trained by Francisco Rodriguez.

Social Status was 2nd with Shady Harbor holding on for 3rd and White Peony took 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 3-5 $4.95
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 3-5-6 $25.73
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 3-5-6-4 $12.03
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-3 $5.88

Race Replay

3rd Race

The 3rd race was the H R Gibson Memorial purse and 6 went 1 mile and 70 yards. 6-5 2nd favorite Benny Buckets and Silvio Amador went to the front set all the fractions of 23.02, 46.15 and 1:10.20 building a lead over Bourbon Dancer and Frank Alvarado.

Betting favorite at 1-1 Jullian in Paris with Kevin Krigger sat in 3rd stalking but turning for home Benny Buckets had plenty in the tank extending his lead for a comfortable 3 length win over Jullian in Paris. Bourbon Dancer was another 5 lengths back in 3rd but well ahead of 4th place finisher Supermax with Blake Nunnally.

Benny Buckets races for Steve and Letha Haahr and trained by Vince Gibson. Vince is a nephew of HR Gibson.

• $1.00 EXACTA 4-3 $4.54
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 4-3-5 $7.62
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 4-3-5-6 $2.72
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 3-4 $5.97
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-3-4 $13.24

Race Replay

4th Race

Eight 3-year-old maidens went 5 furlongs and the race came down to the 3 that broke best. Chase with Kevin Krigger broke first but Cozmic Brownie and Karlo Lopez were right there from inside and on the far outside was 1st time starter Exactamundo Carlos Montalvo at 12-1 also got off to a good start.

Those 3 squared off for the run to the stretch but then Chase found another gear and pulled away for a dominating 8 length victory in a final time of 1:03.03. Chase is owned by Lori Henson and Jo-Anne McDonald and trained by Steve Henson.

Exactamundo nosed out Cozmic Brownie for 2nd with Al’s Big Boy and Lenny Seecharan finished 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 6-8 $67.27
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 6-8-3 $149.02
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 6-8-3-1 $317.31
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 4-6 $10.91
• $0.50 PICK 3 3-4-6 $13.95
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 5-3-4-6 $44.60

Race Replay

5th Race

Bobby’s Genie took a lot of late money and Adrian Castellanos went straight to the front with 2-1 Sharp Attitude under Silvio Amador and 7-1 Creme de Menthe with Kevin Krigger. But Bobby’s Genie was determined to control this race from start to finish. Bobby went 21.72 and 44.45 but Castellanos knew what he had left and through the stretch Bobby’s Genie pulled away late to win by a length and a half in a final time of 1:03.33. Bobby’s Genie is owned by Eliana Thompson and Gene Heredia and trained by Jorge Rosales.

2-1 Sharp Attitude held 2nd by a 1/2 length over fast closing Ms Flashy Harbor with Karlo Lopez and Creme de Menthe took 4th.

Race Replay

6th Race

In the 6th race 7 went 6-furlongs and odds-on 4-5 favorite Classic Cinema was sent hard by jockey Adrian Castellanos and was quickly joined by Good Focus with Allyssa Morales. Those two laid down some brisk times of 21.78 and 44.03. In the end that was too much as the calvary charge from the back with longshot Golden River and Frank Alvarado taking first run, Fordy G and Karlo Lopez from the outside also dug in.

But they left the rail wide open and Blazing Peme at 6-1 with Blake Nunnally timed it perfectly and came flying late to get the win by a head over Golden River who a 1/2 length in front of Fordy G who was a head in front of Good Focus in a final time of 1:09.54.

Blazing Peme races for Angel Imma Esmeralda and trained by Jorge Maravilla.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-4 $58.99
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-4-2 $134.73
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-4-2-8 $138.74
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 3-1 $16.40
• $0.50 PICK 3 6-3-1 $73.92
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 4-6-3-1 $102.09

Race Reply

8th Race

In the finale, a field of 7 went 6-furlongs and the one to beat was odds-on choice C Her Beauty. Silvio Amador broke well with the favorite but sat back about 4-5 lengths in 4th on the rail. Bronze Girl with Blake Nunnally went to the lead and set all the fractions of 22.50 and 45.47.  Bronze Girl ran a big race but could not resist the stalkers.

La Popis at 11-1 went to the outside of Bronze Girl while C Her Beauty stick to the rail and they came flying with C Her Beauty getting up by just a neck over a very game La Popis with Jose Rodriguez. C Her Beauty races for Scott Leon and trained by Jose Puentes.

Bronze Girl held 3rd with Shadowed Thoughts and Taliyah Timentwa taking 4th and 14-1 Prancipants and Jairo Moreno completed the Super Hi 5.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-6 $11.78
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-6-1 $31.60
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-6-1-5 $27.56
• $0.50 SUPERHIGHFIVE 2-6-1-5-7 $227.77
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-2 $15.91
• $0.50 PICK 3 1-2-2 $54.96
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 3-1-2-2 $117.67
• $0.50 PICK 5 5 OF 5 6-3-1-2-2 $503.34
• – PICK 6 CarryOver $4,477.51
• $0.10 PICK 6 6 OF 6 4-6-3-1-2-2 $630.28

Race Reply

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