7/3/2026

(Auburn, WA) The 3rd of July Fireworks tradition began in 1998 and hasn’t missed a year since except for the Covid year. It’s always a big day at Emerald Downs and the 2026 version was promised to be even more spectacular than ever and once again delivered.

History

The first Vice-President of Marketing Ben Cambra was never afraid of making an event bigger. In 1998, this is when there was still racing on July 4th and it was exactly as it was this year, the 3rd on a Friday night and the 4th on Saturday. There was always day racing on the 4th capped off with the Indepemndence Day handicap which began back in the Longacres days.

On this weekend in 1998 as we organizeed the big Fireworks show there were ma ny details to figure out and we had no idea how many people would come to the track on a Friday night on the 3rd of July.

First, we picked the 3rd for a couple of reasons. First, we did not want to change the long tradition of 4th of July racing to be completed by late afternoon. Second, we had held a handcapping contest on the 4th and it had been well received. Finally, we didn’t want to try and compete with the other big shows throughtout Western Washington and only a few places did big shows on the 3rd. We felt it would separate our event from the others.

Planning for a Crowd

The promotion department was asked time and again from all the other departments, security, food and beverage, parking and so on,”so how many do you really believe will be here?” I answered my true thought of around 15,000 and was laughed at. We had been averaging 3,000-4,000 on Friday nights.

I said that Fireworks creates a whole new dynamic. Plus we were planning a huge promotional push. In 1998, there was no social media. Mhy Space hadn’t even come out yet let alone Facebook, Twitter and the others. We used to spend about a million dollars a year on radio, television, newspaper ads and direct mail campaigns. The promotion budget was about 200k.

Seattle radio was huge with multiple stations all having big morning shows and on-air talent being paid 250k-1 million a year. Names such as Ichabod Caine, Bob Rivers, Charlie and Ty, The T Man, Kent and Alan (the founders of dog races at Emerald with the first to do the Weeiner Dog races before anyone had heard of a Corgi.)

On this day we were working with a country station, Young Country 96.5. Becky Brenner was the Sales Director and they gave us a proposal we couldn’t turn down. They were going to bring in an up and coming country star to sing on the Park stage. We were told this new trio was going to be big but they had a gig in Colorado on July 4th so if we could figure a way to get them to their show on time the next day we could have had the Dixie Chicks.

We could not and we know that the Dixie Chicks in 1998 kinda had a big year. So next on the list was this young lady who already had one hit but had been off the charts for a couple of years and was making a comeback. Her name, Jo Dee Messina. “Heads Carolina, Tails California” was a top 10 hit in 1996.

When Young Country secured the FREE show, the record companies many times would pay for the shows to get their artists in front of decent sized crowds. We weren’t sure how many would show up but Becky did her thing and got the record company to foot the bill.

So Jo Dee Messina was locked in by December, 1997. Then a funny thing happened, she hit a hot streak with her 1st single off album they were releasing going all the way to #1. “Bye Bye” hit the top of the country charts in April, 1998 and stayed on top for 2 weeks.

She wasn’t done yet and her next release, “I’m Alright”, also the name of the album was released in early May and was on it’s way to #1 when the July 3rd show came up on her schedule.

Young Country also hosted the “Undie” 500 with two $500 cash prizes one for the men’s race and one for the women’s race. 12 contestants were selected from a blind draw and they all got Young Country boxer shorts. They would race 1/16th of a mile with the winner getting $500.

There was also a Rib eating contest sponsored by one of the local restaurants and free events for kids in the park. So we packed as much into it as we could to make sure we had a big crowd.

They Showed up

The morning of July 3rd we were all a bit surprised when we came to work. There was already a big line to get in well before the gates were to open. While we were preparing a situation occurred in the main office. A fan was in dire need of a bathroom. As he came sprinting through the office looking for a bathroom he did not even stop at the receptionist desk….but it was too late, if you know what I mean.

We made an emergency call to housekeeping and they cleaned it up. It was far beyond the call of duty and I remember we asked one of our partners and still partners, Los Margaritas is they would be nice enough to donate some dinners for our housekeeping crew and they happily jumped in to help out.

So, was this an omen for the day? We decided that it was not. In fact we did not believe the day could possibly be any worse than that.

It was a crazy day and yes the crowd showed up with well more than 16,000 attending. The State Patrol estimated another 20-30,000 were watching from all around the area.

The park area where Jo Dee Messina performed was absolutely packed and then after the Fireworks show she stayed for 2+ hours and signed autographs for every single person who wanted one.

Track President Ron Crockett and Vice President Jack Hodge along with every avaiable employee were picking up garbage. I think Jack had a backpack blower on out in the park area. It was approaching midnight and we had a 1pm post time the next day and a handicapping contest.

Tradition Locked in

That is how this crazy day all began. Other tracks have added the tradition as well. Lone Star not only does Fireworks on the 3rd but back-to-back on the 4th as well.

Emerald Downs now caps the admission for this day around 10,000 so it doesn’t become overwhelming for everyone. The added early entry and movies on the big screen. Seeing families coming annually for this special day has cemented this tradition on July 3rd.

On the Track

There were 8 races dialed up for the 3rd of July card and why not have 3 featured races? The first one was the 2nd leg of the Hollywood Harbor Sprint Series. Roll Dem Bones was looking to secure the overall win and $1,000 bonus. The purse was enhanced by Jody Peetze with an $8,000 bump to the purse.

In the 5th race was the special Bonnie and Wally Jenne Firecracker purse where an additional $2,000 was added to the purse thanks to generous contributions from the horsemen here at Emerald Downs. Thanks to the donors: 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.

And the 7th race the Muckleshoot Casino Resort Purse was a good field of 25k or so claimers battling it out for the 23k purse.

4th Race Feature Hollywood Harbor final leg

The Hollywood Harbor second leg was an interesting betting race as the 1st leg winner Roll Dem Bones was the 6-5 morning line favorite but the public didn’t agree and let him go at 3-1 in a 5 horse field. Fraser Landing was bet down to 3-5 odds-on under Frank Alvarado and broke well from the rail. Silvio Amador was stalking from the outside on Roll Dem Bones and when the time was right burst past the top choice andf won going away by 3 lengths in a final time of 1:04.09 for 5 1/2 furlongs.

Fraser Landing did well to hold 2nd. Upright and Adrian Castellanos was the 2nd betting favorite but ran an even 3rd while longshot Out Bloke and Addison Pifer took 4th.

Roll Dem Bones is owned by Bill Jensen and trained by Joe Toye. The 7-year-old West Virginia bred gelding has been in Toye’s barn but was claimed prior to the first leg of the Hollywood Harbor series by Bill Radovich for trainer Howie Gibson. They won that first leg in a $3,500 claimer but lost Roll Dem Bones back to Toye and owner Bill Jensen.

Roll Dem Bones with both wins of the series also won the $1,000 bonus. The $12,000 purse was enhanced to 20k from Jody Peetze who put in $30,000 to create both the Hollywood Harbor sprint series for the boys and the Daffodil Sweet series for the girls. The Daffodil Sweet second leg will run next Friday night.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-1 $11.59
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-1-3 $7.62
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-1-3-2 $5.57
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-5 $8.88
• $0.50 PICK 3 3-1-5 $31.50
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 1-3-1-5 $54.26

Race Replay

5th Race Feature Race the Bonnie and Wally Jenne Firecraker Special

A field of seven went 5 furlongs in the Bonnie and Wally Jenne Firecracker Special and a speedy race it was. The 1-5 odds on choice Sing a Happy Song shot out of the gate and quickly set the tone with a clear lead over second choice Bourbon Tiger. The duo went 21.82 and 44.63 as they came flying down the stretch.

Silvio Amador had plenty in reserve aboard Sing a Happy Song for a clear win in a final time of :57.35. Sing a Happy Song races for Rage ‘n RYDRX, Rusty George Warwick and Terra Firma Farm and trained by Joe Toye.

Bourbon Tiger ran a big race and was a clear 2nd. Mischievous Emma with veteran pilot Connie Doll rolled home 3rd at 28-1 while Bacalar and Kevin Krigger finished 4th.

The Winner’s Circle was filled with people remembering the Jenne’s who were beloved by all. Their daughter Kandie Jennings was in the Winner’s Circle along with ownership partner Craig Fredrickson. There were lots of hugs and smiles remembering the Jenne’s. If there was a perfect name to win this race, Sing a Happy Song was pretty good.

• $1.00 EXACTA 3-4 $2.66
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 3-4-1 $15.56
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 3-4-1-7 $8.16
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-3 $8.94
• $0.50 PICK 3 1-5-3 $18.50

Race Replay

7th Race the Muckleshoot Casino Resort Purse

By Vince Bruun
Elder Mack held off Golden River in a driving finish and scored a half-length victory in Friday evening’s $23,000 Muckleshoot Casino Resort Purse for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs.

Winning his fourth race in 14 lifetime starts, Elder Mack ran six furlongs in 1:09.28 and paid $9.38 to win. The winner, a 5-year-old Lord Nelson gelding out of the Mineshaft mare Promise to Peg, races for Blaine Wright and Chappell Alpine Farms.

Elder Mack and Golden River battled virtually gate to wire, dueling though fractions of :22.09, :44.44, and :56.31, with Elder Mack holding sway in an elongated stretch drive.

Sergio Perez, owner/trainer of Golden River, lodged an objection against the winner alleging interference in the stretch, but the stewards disallowed the claim and allowed the order of finish to stand.

Golden River, the 5-2 public choice, held second and has a win and two seconds from four starts at the meet.

Elegant Boy was a length back in third place while Counteract, El Bromista, Stanford bay and Smiling Goodbye, completed the order of finish.

Elder Mack earned $13,110 for the victory, boosting his career total to $73,820.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-7 $11.92
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-7-3 $15.39
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-7-3-4 $10.43
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-5 $53.24
• $0.50 PICK 3 3-1-5 $28.75

Race Replay

The rest of Friday Night’s races

1st Race

2nd favorite Kyalam and Silvio Amador went straight to the lead in this 1 mie run. Odds-on choice Aloha Chrome and Adrian Castellanos sat back in 4th waiting patiently to make his run. On the far turn Chrome began to move but with some tepid fractions for Kyalam it wouldn’t be easy to get by the pacesetter and it wasn’t. At the 16th pole it looked like Aloha Chrome was going to roll on by but Kyalam fought back. In the end Aloha Chrome got the win by a 1/2 length in a final time of 1:38.04. Aloha Chrome races for Robert Hunter, William Madden and Brian Richards and trained by Francisco Rodriguez.

Go Lent Go with Alex Cruz ran a solid 3rd with Fae Allannah and Kevin Orozco finishing 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-5 $3.93
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-5-3 $6.72
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-5-3-2 $4.11

Race Replay

2nd Race

Sailing Force got bet down to 6-5 favoritism and Alex Cruzx made a big move at the 1/4 pole to sling shot into the lead. The early favorite in this one was They See Me Do It under Adrian Castellanos who followed Sailing Force and engaged at the 1/8th pole to pull away for a 3/4 length victory in a final time of 1:40.43. Sweet Shoppe and Frank Alvarado finished on well to take 3rd and Smoothie Ryder with Talliyah Timentwa completed the superfecta.

They See Me Do It gave Castellanos his 2nd win and the opening daily doubled. They See Me Do It races for Eliska Kubinova and trained by Jorge Rosales.

• $1.00 EXACTA 3-5 $5.69
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 3-5-2 $5.44
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 3-5-2-1 $4.64
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-3 $5.41

Race Replay

3rd Race

9-5 Storm Harbor with Blake Nunnally aboard hooked 5-2 Empirical and Kevin Orozco as those two laid down fractions of 21.58 and 44.54. Turning for home the pair were well in front of the rest and battled to the 16th pole where Storm Harbor had more in the tank and pulled away for a 3 length win. Empirical was tiring at the end but held 2nd, 8-5 favorite Southern Anton ran on for 3rd with Kevin Krigger and Tiosimage under Silvio Amador ran 4th.

Storm Harbor races for Gold Coast Racing IV and trained by Steve Bullock. The 3-year-old Washington bred by Barkley out of Harbor the Storm by Harbor the Gold was bred by George Gilbert.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-4 $8.89
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-4-2 $5.99
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-4-2-3 $2.11
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 3-1 $19.28
• $0.50 PICK 3 1-3-1 $8.19

Race Replay

6th Race

A field of 8 went 6 furlongs and two 3-2 shots were right there at the end but 5-1 Army Knife with a heads-up ride from Blake Nunnally scored the mild upset at 5-1. Army Knife was trying to take the early lead on the rail but 3-2 Dixie’s Delight wasn’t having it with Lenny Seecharan. Nunnally backed off a bit as longshot Cheekwood with Silvio Amador challenged on the outside. Nunnally and Army Knife clung to the rail and it stayed wide open as they closed up the inside to pull off a half length win in a final time of 1:12.02. The other 3-2 shot Booster Club closed from the back to grab 2nd under Pablo Castillo, Dixie’s Delight held 3rd and Cheekwood ended up 4th.

Army Knife is owned by Doug A Carlson and Doug C Carlson and trained by Doug A Carlson. The 4-year-old is a Washington bred by Lutes Gift out of Knife River by Smole Glacken and was bred by Horse Haven Creek Farm.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-3 $23.64
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-3-6 $27.07
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-3-6-9 $61.25
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 3-1 $12.24
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-3-1 $37.06
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 1-5-3,5-1 $116.99

Race Replay

8th Race

A field of 9 went 6 furlongs. 3-1 Gary’s Echo with Kevin Krigger sat just off the pace and blew by them all in the stretch to win by nearly 3 lengths in a final time of 1:12.23.  Gary’s Echo races for Wolberts’ One and Done Stable and trained by Charlie Essex. 

7-2 My Eliana with Adrian Castellanos ran on for 2nd, taking 3rd was 22-1 Pretty Roxs and Lenny Seecharan, 4th went to Spicy Rosso under Blake Nunnally and completing the Super High 5 was 5-2 Circle of Fire and Silvio Amador.

• $1.00 EXACTA 3-9 $15.32
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 3-9-4 $95.74
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 3-9-4-6 $81.92
• $0.50 SUPERHIGHFIVE 3-9-4-6-5 $2,232.41
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-3 $26.63
• $0.50 PICK 3 1-5-3 $93.49
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 3,5-1-5-3 $144.62
• $0.50 PICK 5 5 OF 5 5-3,5-1-5-3 $734.80
• – PICK 6 CarryOver $2,826.30
• $0.10 PICK 6 6 OF 6 1-5-3,5-1-5-3 $404.73

Race Replay

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