7/26/2026

(Auburn, WA) Day 2 of Fiesta Premio Esmeralda celebrating the Hispanic culture in racing. The famous dancing horses performed as the highlight of the celebration. Check out the video of the dancing horses at the bottom of the page.

Sunday also featured 3 quarter horse trials for the John Deere-Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge. The top 10 fastest qualifiers will advance to the final on Saturday, August 15 on Championship weekend.

There were also 3 big carry-overs heading into Sunday with more than 30k in the Pick 6, more than 8k in the Pick 5 and the Super High 5 had more than 7k waiting on Sunday.

The Track Wire

Track Notes

1st and 1st

In the 1st race a triple of firsts with jockey Javier Matias getting his first win of the season as did trainer Debbie Van Horne and owners the WillWin Stable when former Stakes winner You’re the Cause ran down the field with a fierce move on the turn and a great surge to the finish line. Matias wasn’t done and nearly pulled off a stunning upset finishing 2nd in the 5th race on Illusion of Choice at 31-1.

The win was Matias’ 622nd victory at Emerald Downs. He’s 1-2-1 from 18 mounts this season.

1st 12 horse field

The 5th race was for 3-year-olds and up maidens and was the first 12 horse field of the season. It was a wide open field despite the 2-1 favorite winning, The other placers were 31-1, 10-1 and 28-1 triggering some big exacta, Tri’s and Super pays.

From the Saddle

Heading into Sunday’s races, Silvio Amador led the jockey standings with 45, defending champ Kevin Krigger was 5 behind with 40 followed by Adrian Castellanos in 3rd with 37 and Blake Nunnally at 26. 

After Sunday not much changed. Amador, Krigger and Nunnally all won 2 races. Castellanos was shut out and lost a little ground but his triple win night on Friday kept Castellanos right in the mix.

Allyssa Morales got a big win in the feature with a perfectly timed ride on Background the former Longacres Mile Champion. Morales picked up the mount when Isaias Enriquez had to take off his mounts on Sunday. It was Morales’ 1st time aboard Background.

From the Barn

Trainer Blaine Wright doubled on the day taking the 4th with Tiosimage then the 7th when Simply Gracious wasn’t gracious at all to the others rolling to a front running win.

Last year’s training champ Jorge Rosales also doubled taking the 3rd race with Bob’s Vai then the 8th with Honoring Autism.

Mike Puhich’s return continues to flourish with his 4th win of the season and 2nd win from former Longacres Mile Champion, Background.

Trainer Alan Bozell got his 3rd win of the season in the 2nd race with Cause for Divorce and Steve Henson won his 5th for owner Gary Williamson. Williamson is currently 3rd in the owners earnings standings.

The Betting Window

The “Cause” Double

To start the day off it was an all “Cause” Daily Double. 4-1 You’re the “Cause” won the opener followed by 3-1 “Cause” for Divorce winning the 2nd. Just sitting there for an easy double for all to take and you would have gotten 29-1 with the $1 double paying $30.74.

The Blake Double

The 2nd Daily Double of the day was another “double” this time the jockey. Blake Nunnally brought home Cause for Divorce in the 2nd at 3-1 the  won the 3rd on 3-1 Bob’s Vai. This double also pretty good at 27-1 paying $28.07.

The almost Bob Double

The duplicate Daily Doubles almost tripled in a row when Bobs Honey ran 2nd in the 4th. Had she won it would have been Bob’s Vai to Bobs Honey but instead a near miss.

Carry-over Central

The Pick 5, Pick 6 and Super Hi 5 all had carry-overs coming into Sunday. Two were hit and one has now topped $34,000. The 10-cent Jackpot Pick 6 was hit and there was a chance for a single unique winner to take the whole pot but when 7-2 Honoring Autism won the 8th race it triggered multiple winners and a carryover. Those with 6 winners each collected $547.17. The 40% carryover has pushed the pot to $34,102 on Friday.

Meantime, the Pick 5 had a $8,505 head start on Sunday and saw the pot balloon to more than $72,000. The 5 winners returned $861.94 for each 50-cent winning ticket.

The Super Hi 5 had a $7,045 carry-over from Saturday. The bettors added 13k and the 50-cent winning tickets returned a season Super Hi 5 return of $3,857.63.

6th and Feature Race
By Vince Bruun

In Sunday’s $18,000 feature for Thoroughbreds, 2021 Longacres Mile winner Background continued his 2026 resurgence with a hard-fought victory over Dirt Road Red in a $15,000 claimer for 3-year-olds and up.

Ridden by Allyssa Morales for owner/trainer Mike Puhich, Background ran the mile in 1:36.24 and paid $4.00 as the public betting choice.

Background now has two wins, two seconds and a fourth in five starts at the meeting, all at the distance of one mile. A 9-year-old Florida-bred by Khozan, Background has a life mark of 10-7-8 in 52 starts with earnings of $596,435.

Dirt Road Red, also 9, dug in bravely to just miss the victory under Alex Cruz. A Kentucky-bred by Clubhouse Ride, his career ledger is 15-18-11 from 72 starts.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-1 $3.33
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-1-5 $2.60
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-1-5-6 $0.79
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 9-2 $6.22
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-9-2,3 $45.22

Race Replay

The rest of Saturday’s card

1st Race

A field of 6 went the mile and the public was split with the favorite at 2-1 and the longshot 6-1. There was a 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1 and two 6-1’s in the opener. The winner was of course right down the middle with 4-1 You’re the Cause running them all down in the stretch to win going away with a perfectly timed ride from veteran Javier Matias. You’re the Cause stopped the clock in 1:37.14 and races for the WillWin Stable and trained by Debbie Van Horne.

El Joy and Silvio Amador ran 2nd, Drive Train with Frank Alvarado finished 3rd and Alex Cruz got the front speed Owhatarush to hold for 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-3 $16.56
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-3-6 $35.92
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-3-6-4 $22.95

Race Replay

2nd Race

Cause’s were hot, following You’re the Cause in the 1st was Cause for Divorce and Blake Nunnally near the front end for the 6 1/2 furlong run. Cause for Divorce dispatched all contenders down the stretch for the clear win in a final time of 1:17.21. Cause for Divorce races for Jim Nunnally and trained by Alan Bozell.

At the Cross with Pablo Castillo threatened but did well to hold 2nd. Hatagasal and Alex Cruz also made a move and looked like a winner at the 1/8th pole but flattened out to finish 3rd while Aloha Chrome under Adrian Castellanos closed from far back to take 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 6-3 $51.58
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 6-3-2 $168.12
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 6-3-2-4 $69.25
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-6 $30.74

Race Replay

3rd Race

The field of 7 went 6 furlongs and Bob’s Vai with Blake Nunnally popped out of the gate and went straight to the lead and set reasonable fractions of 22.12 and 45.26. This left plenty for Nunnally and Bob’s Vai to deny any latecomers winning by 4 lengths in a final time of 1:10.43. Betting favorite Bakburner with Silvio Amador and 3rd choice Libby’s Gambit under Kevin Krigger both chased to finish 2nd and 3rd while Shanghai Barbie and Kevin Orozco ran an even 4th.

Bob’s Via is owned by Emilie Kubinova Rosales and trained by Jorge Rosales.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-5 $11.89
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-5-3 $21.61
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-5-3-7 $9.86
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 6-2 $28.07
• $0.50 PICK 3 2-6-2 $104.01

Race Replay

4th Race

6 went 6 furlongs and Tiosimage got a patient stalking ride from Silvio Amador sitting 3rd while Company Girl blazed to a 21.42 quarter and 44.47 half time which did her in. Tiosimage followed by Bobs Honey with Kevin Krigger roared past the tiring speed with Tiosimage much the best winning by at least 6 lengths, Bob’s Honey ran a solid race but was clearly 2nd best while Cape Blossom closed well from last piloted by Alex Cruz for the show and 3-5 odds on choice Empirical ran a flattened out 4th with Kevin Orozco aboard.

Tiosimage stopped the clock in 1:09.32 and is owned by William Hedrick and trained by Blaine Wright.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-4 $42.56
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-4-6 $105.71
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-4-6-1 $53.48
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-5 $23.48
• $0.50 PICK 3 6-2-5 $84.37
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 2-6-2-5 $692.00

Race Replay

5th Race

In the 1st 12 horse field of the season if you were looking for a price then you had a shot even though the 2-1 favorite Midnight Tiger rolled to an easy win for Kevin Krigger in a final time of 1:10.38 for the 6 furlongs. This handed Gary Williamson another win along with trainer Steve Henson.

The prices stacked up behind the winner with 31-1 Illusion of Choice with the suddenly hot Javier Matias aboard followed by 10-1 Favored Son and Jennifer Whitaker with 28-1 I M Coasted and Blake Nunnally completing a healthy superfecta paying $7,664.10 on the $1 bet to lead great vertical returns in the 5th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 9-10 $75.80
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 9-10-11 $257.71
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 9-10-11-5 $766.41
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-9 $39.63
• $0.50 PICK 3 2-5-9 $74.82

Race Replay

7th Race

After a late scratch the field of 6 went 6 furlongs and the track seems to be tightening up and getting faster with Simply Gracious being sent to the lead by Kevin Krigger and they never looked back winning easily in a time of 1:09.66. Simply Gracious races for Mischief Racing and gave trainer Blaine Wright his 2nd win of the day. Simply Gracious is a Washington bred by Stanford out of Joyce and Me by Discreet Cat and was bred by Bar C Racing Stables.

Bobby’s Genie ran hard to hold 2nd for Kevin Orozco while Ms Flashy Harbor and Alex Cruz closed along the rail for 3rd with Creme de Menthe under Adrian Castellanos completing the superfecta.

• $1.00 EXACTA 4-3 $19.78
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 4-3-1 $19.55
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 4-3-1-5 $11.46
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-4 $10.22
• $0.50 PICK 3 9-2,3-4 $19.18
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 5-9-2,3-4 $195.56

Race Replay

8th Race

In the final thoroughbred race of the day Honoring Autism and All About Babes hit the stretch heads apart but Honoring Autism, eventually pulled away for a clear win. In a well judged ride from leading rider Silvio Amador, Honoring Autism stopped the clock in 1:11.59 and races for Taboada Racing Stables and trained by Jorge Rosales.

All About Babes was a clear 2nd with Kevin Krigger aboard, Glory Sunday and Blake Nunnally ran 3rd, Hillbilly Hot Rod with Adrian Castellanos took 4th and completing the Super High 5 was Sonoma Sam under Allyssa Morales.

• $1.00 EXACTA 6-3 $13.57
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 6-3-9 $45.76
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 6-3-9-5 $48.52
• $0.50 SUPERHIGHFIVE 6-3-9-5-1 $3,857.63
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 4-6 $40.40
• $0.50 PICK 3 2-4-6 $32.41
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 9-2,3-4-6 $63.97
• $0.50 PICK 5 5 OF 5 5-9-2,3-4-6 $861.94
• – PICK 6 CarryOver $34,102.11
• $0.10 PICK 6 6 OF 6 2-5-9-2,3-4-6 $547.17

Race Replay

Quarter Horse Trials all 350-yards

The top 10 times all advanced to the final on August 15 at Emerald Downs. The first trial there was a malfunction with the timing system but after replaying and catching all the timing the numbers were rolled in with the other trials to complete the final 10 competitors. 

Here are the individual re-caps of each race and is followed by the top 10 qualifiers and we have a compilation video of the races from the view of the Winners Circle.

9th Race The John Deere Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge Trials

In the 1st trial for the John Deere-Emerald Downs Challenge One Fabulous Cartel got the first jump and Jose Guerrero was able to hold off all challenges to get the win. One Fabulous Cartel is owned and trained by Diego Guerrero.

Favorite Miss Royal Hawk and Mark Jasso nosed out Heza Runaway Wagon and Cristofer Ochoa for 2nd and Miscalculation ridden by Blake Nunnally finished 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-7 $11.09
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-7-8 $18.54
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-7-8-5 $26.23
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 6-2 $36.17
• $0.50 PICK 3 4-6-2 $64.46
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 2,3-4-6-2 $84.74

Race Replay

10th Race The John Deere Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge Trials

The times were much slower in the 2nd trial with the winner more than a second slower than the 1st trial and the winner also blew up the toteboard when 25-1 Winter Hawk Cartel caught 5-2 All Gussyed Up on the wire in a final time of 18.39. Winter Hawk Cartel was ridden by Cristofer Ochoa and races for Warlock Stables and trained by Hector Magallanes.

Blake Nunnally just missed with All Gussyed Up for 2nd, BSS Ghost Pepper and Jose Guerrero ran 3rd and Iza Diva under Mark Jasso took 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-6 $207.82
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-6-4 $275.91
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-6-4-8 $238.43
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-1 $150.32
• $0.50 PICK 3 6-2-1 $623.15

Race Replay

11th Race The John Deere Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge Trials

The largest field of 10 was dominated by Tomatito who started fast from the 7 hole and maintained the 1/2 length lead setting the fastest qualifying time and only sub 18-second time of the day at 17.947. Jose Garcia-Segura got the ride and was the first time to ride the Oregon bred gelding. Garcia-Segura did everything right to get the win. Tomatito is owned by Leobardo Bernai and trained by Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mysterious Hero and Cesar Moreno ran 2nd followed by Survivor T and David Martin and taking 4th was Ima Flyin Fool ridden by Blake Nunnally.

• $1.00 EXACTA 7-2 $2.68
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 7-2-8 $6.22
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 7-2-8-1 $4.21
• $0.50 SUPERHIGHFIVE 7-2-8-1-3 $49.03
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-7 $131.18
• $0.50 PICK 3 2-1-7 $142.81
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 6-2-1-7 $668.32

Race Replay

The John Deere-Emerald Downs Top 10 Juvenile Challenge Finalist

1: Tomatito, 17.947
2: Mysterious Hero, 18.062
3: Survivor T, 18.380
4: Winter Hawk Cartel, 18.391
5: One Fabulous Cartel, 18.423
6: All Gussyed Up, 18.453
7: Bss Ghost Pepper, 18.512
8: Iza Diva, 18.520
9: Ima Flyin Fool, 18.522
10: Jbc Jet One, 18.551

Compilation Quarter Horse races from Winners Circle

The Famous Dancing Horses

Photo Gallery

Fiesta Premio Esmeralda and the Dancing Horses

Race Pics

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