7/1/2026
Friday, July 3rd is the annual huge Fireworks show at Emerald Downs. The track long ago stopped racing on the 4th July so celebrated on the 3rd to avoid competing against other large community events and Fireworks shows and allowing families to enjoy their 4th of July family and friends traditions.
This year is no different, there is going to be a huge crowd for racing and the Fireworks show to follow. Details of Friday are below.
During the racing portion, there are a pair of very special races. Both have outside dollars coming in to boost the purses. Both are very special in their own way.
First, here are the details about Friday if you are coming to the track. Here is the Facebook post Emerald Downs put out on Wednesday:
Here’s some important July 3rd Information. Gates open at at noon. No outside food and beverage but you can bring blankets and lawn chairs.
We will be showing Lilo & Stitch followed by Zootopia 2 on the big screen starting at 12:30 p.m. Racing starts at 5 p.m. We have 8 live races. Fireworks will start at 10:10 p.m. For those that like to watch from other spots in Auburn, this show has a lot of up close displays that you will miss if you are not here. Purchasing tickets in advance will save you $5 and speed up your entry but you can buy tickets at the gate. Kids 12 and under are FREE and do not need a ticket.
The fireworks show is the biggest one we have ever had…yes, we say that every year…but we added a lot to the show this year! The weather is supposed to be perfect! It’s going to be a fun day and night! Bring the whole family!
Special Races
The Bonnie and Wally Jenne Memorial Purse
Last year about a week before July 3rd, beloved trainer Bonnie Jenne passed away after a long battle with cancer. Bonnie and her husband of 53 years, Wally ran the Friendship Stable. Bonnie trained, Wally assisted and they also owned many of their runners and had multiple ownership partners.
Bonnie and Wally Jenne and their kids Kandie and Craig, were the definition of NW Horse people.
Sadly, Wally passed in 2020 due to complications from Covid. Bonnie passed June 26, 2025, after a long battle with Lymphoma cancer.
Bonnie and Wally represent all the long time NW race trackers and were known as very welcoming, positive and always with a word of encouragement. Their goodness permeated the entire backstretch. The Jenne’s especially, Wally, loved the 4th of July Fireworks. This is the perfect day to honor the Jenne’s and all the hardworking backstretch folks.
We asked for one race to be named the Bonnie and Wally Jenne Memorial purse and then asked fellow horse people to chip in and enhance the purse of a lower claiming race by $2,000. Many stepped up and we were able to collect an extra $2,000 for the Bonnie and Wally Jenne Memorial Purse.
The race will be the 5th race. It is a $2,500 claiming race for fillies and mares and there is a field of 8 with the purse boosted to $10,500.
Link to story on Bonnie “The Beaming Light that is Bonnie Jenne”
Special Thanks to our contributors:
Kandie Jennings, Craig Fredrickson, Kay and Bryson Cooper, Debbie Peery, Blaine Wright, Frank Lucarelli, Gary Lusk, Bob Cappelletti, Mr and Mrs Jose Rodriguez, Doug Moore, Joe Withee and Eli Sports Network.
| P# | PP | Horse | VS | A/S | Med | Claim $ | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
1
|
Mischievous Emma (AZ) |
7/M
|
L | $2,500 | C P Doll |
125
|
F Alejandre | 20/1 | |
|
2
|
2
|
In Without Knockin (CA) |
5/M
|
L | $2,500 | K Lopez |
125
|
K S Lyons | 6/1 | |
|
3
|
3
|
Sing a Happy Song (CA) |
6/M
|
L | $2,500 | S R Amador |
125
|
J Toye | 9/5 | |
|
4
|
4
|
Bourbon Tiger (CA) |
5/M
|
L | $2,500 | I D Enriquez |
125
|
F Lucarelli | 2/1 | |
|
5
|
5
|
Aventapp (KY) |
8/M
|
L | $2,500 | T Timentwa |
1205
|
J Nunnally | 12/1 | |
|
6
|
6
|
My Best Gift (CA) |
5/M
|
L | $2,500 | A V Anaya |
125
|
S Crowe | 8/1 | |
|
7
|
7
|
Bacalar (CA) |
8/M
|
L | $2,500 | K Krigger |
125
|
S Crowe | 5/1 |
Owners: 1 – J. Fidel Alejandre ; 2 – Kendra S. Lyons ; 3 – Rage ‘n RYDRX, Rusty George Warwick and Terra Firma Farm ; 4 – Gate2Wire LLC, Margaret Root and Benjamin Root ; 5 – Bill Christian ; 6 – Shelly M. Crowe ; 7 – Thomas Maurer
Hollywood Harbor Sprint Series
Friend of NW horse racing Jody Peetze has added $30,000 for a pair of sprint series. The Hollywood Harbor for the boys and the Daffodil Sweet for the girls. The boys have been running 5 1/2 furlongs and girls 6 furlongs. The rumor as to why the difference in distance is the claim that girls “last” longer. Honestly, we’re not sure there is a counter claim we can recite.
None the less, both are two race series and the 2nd race is restricted to only those who ran in the first one. There were 8 starters in the opening round on June 91th. Roll Dem Bones won the race with an enhanced purse of $6,000. Upright ran 2nd, Fraser Landing was 3rd. All three are back to race on the 3rd along with Our Bloke and Disco Danzing.
Handsome Ticket finished 4th and Mojave 5th did not enter to run again along with Mark’s Hip who refused to start that day leaving the field of 5.
$8,000 is being added to this race for a total $20,000 purse for the $5,000 claiming tag race. Additionally, the points winner will get a $1,000 bonus. Roll Dem Bones leads with 3 points, Upright has 2 and Fraser Landing 1. If Upright wins and Roll Dem Bones runs 2nd there would be a tie and Peetze says she will pay the $1,000 bonus to both entries.
The Daffodil Sweet final race will be run on July 10th.
Link to original story of 1st Hollywood Harbor series in 2024
Hollywood Harbor Sprint Series Entries for July 3rd
| P# | PP | Horse | VS | A/S | Med | Claim $ | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
1
|
Fraser Landing (BC) |
5/G
|
L1 | $5,000 | F T Alvarado |
123
|
S C Fisher | 5/2 | |
|
2
|
2
|
Our Bloke (BC) |
5/G
|
L | $5,000 | A Pifer |
1185
|
I Jewell | 20/1 | |
|
3
|
3
|
Upright (KY) |
7/G
|
L | $5,000 | A Castellanos |
123
|
R Velasquez | 2/1 | |
|
4
|
4
|
Disco Danzing (KY) |
7/G
|
L | $5,000 | B Nunnally |
123
|
H F Gibson | 8/1 | |
|
5
|
5
|
Roll Dem Bones (WV) |
7/G
|
L | $5,000 | S R Amador |
125
|
J Toye | 6/5 |
Owners: 1 – Steve Fisher ; 2 – Helen Jewell ; 3 – Jerry Carmody ; 4 – Howard F. Gibson ; 5 – Bill Jensen
Hollywood Harbor Series 1st leg
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