Horse Racing: Emerald Downs HOF Day and kick-off to Championship Sunday with 2 QH Stakes

8/15/2026

(Auburn, WA) The 2026 Washington Racing Hall of Fame inducted 4 new names on Saturday prior to the 11 race card. The ceremonies headlined by the 2009 Horse of the Year Reba is Tops.

The two Championship Quarter Horse Cahmpionships were also contested in the final two races of the day. The Emerald Downs Championship Challenge went as the 10th and the John Deere/Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge was the Saturday finale.

Special Thanks to Emerald ‘s Director of Media Vince Bruun and Track Photographer Reid Palmer.

2026 Hall of Fame

Reba is Tops

Topping the class of 2026 was 2009 Horse of the Year Reba is Tops. She won stakes races at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, and Bay Meadows, finishing with a 14 for 30 lifetime mark and earnings of $464,267. A 2004 Washington-bred mare by He’s Tops, Reba Is Tops was effective on dirt and turf, winning multiple races five consecutive years (2007-2011) for Washington Hall of Fame trainers Mark Glatt and Bud Klokstad.

Maxwell G

Maxwell G is among the sturdiest and winningest runners in North American history. A 1961 Washington-bred by Author, Maxwell G reeled off an incredible 99 exacta finishes—47 wins, 52 seconds—whilst developing extensive fan bases in Chicago, Phoenix, and Seattle. Richard Hazelton was the trainer for most of the gelding’s 233-race career, including an improbable victory at age 16 at Turf Paradise.

Mark Kaufman

As the esteemed Director of Publicity at Longacres from 1977-1990, Mark Kaufman’s impact on racing was such that he is honored annually with two major awards and events—WTBOA presents its Mark Kaufman Media Award for outstanding coverage while the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program holds a Mark Kaufman Workshop at its Symposium on Racing and Gaming.

In addition, Emerald Downs’ press area is named in Kaufman’s honor. A Seattle native who attended Garfield High School and Washington State University, Kaufman served as President of the Turf Publicists of America from 1984-1987, also assisting with media at the Breeders’ Cup and Kentucky Derby.

Lifetime Achievement Award Doug Moore

A native of Republic, Wash., Doug Moore rode over 1400 winners including a stakes victory aboard fabled Washington-bred Captain Condo before hanging up his tack in 1989 for a career in racetrack management.

Moore’s career spans five decades featuring a long stint for the Washington Horse Racing Commission including five years (2005-2009) as presiding steward at Emerald Downs. He later accepted the Deputy Secretary position with the WHRC and became Executive Secretary in 2013, a position he filled until 2023 when named Commissioner.

Moore is a benevolent force for Thoroughbred racing in his home state, spending countless hours with legislators helping secure the future of racing.

Lifetime Achievement: Joe Gottstein (2003), Ron Crockett (2004), Pete Pedersen (2008), James Seabeck (2010), Karen & Mickey Taylor (2011), Jack Hodge (2012), Ralph Vacca (2013), Robert Geller (2015), Dr. Mark Dedomenico (2017), Dr. George Todaro (2018), Aaron T. Van De Vanter (2019); Joe Withee (2021), Junior Coffey (2024), Doug Moore (2026)

The Track Wire

Silvio Amador rode four winners including three straight routes—races 7, 8 & 9—extending his lead to 59-49 over Kevin Krigger in the jockeys’ race. . .Kevin Orozco and Talliyah Timentwa rode two winners each. . .For the apprentice Timentwa, it’s her first multiple win day at Emerald Downs. 

Orting Mist ($11.82) prevailed in race five to give Dan Markle his 402nd victory at Emerald Downs, tying Bud Klokstad for 12th place on the track’s all-time list. . .Joe Toye was two for two Saturday, scoring with Five Twenty Sunset ($12.40) and I’m Noble ($14.10). .

Trainer Jorge Rosales and owners Gene Heredia, Eliesid Flores Sandoval and Eliana Thompson dominated the race eight, finishing first and second with Saint Mihiel ($4.32) and Platinum Diva. . .Rosales, Kay Cooper and Joe Toye each had two training wins Saturday. The Mutuel handle totaled $1,284,055 on an 11-race card.

Sundays 12-race card—Championship Sunday—features six stakes including the 91st renewal of the $125,000 Longacres Mile for 3-year-olds and up. First post 1:50 p.m.

QH Stakes Races

10th Race The AQHA Emerald Downs Championship Challenge

Bee a Freight Train outfinished heavily favored Mysterious Cartel and scored a one length victory in Saturday’s 16th running of the $52,731 AQHA Championship Challenge at Emerald Downs.

Ridden by Jose Guerrero, the second choice in the wagering ran 440 yards in :21.82 seconds, returning $9.06, $2.84, and $2.60. Mario Portillo is the trainer for owner Alberto Avila of Longview, Wash.

Breaking cleanly from the far outside in the 11-horse field, Bee a Freight Train led throughout the race, holding off Mysterious Cartel for the victory.

The first Utah-bred to win the race, Bee a Freight Train improved to 15-6-1 in 31 starts with earnings of $166,464. The 6-year-old son of Freighttrain B earned $23,730 for Saturday’s victory.

In the same race two years ago, Bee a Freight Train finished fifth when bet down to 4 to 5 favoritism, stumbling badly at the start as Jesstafiably Jess registered a $23.76 upset. Bee a Freight previously won the 2022 John Deere Juvenile Challenge at Emerald Downs.

Mysterious Cartel, the 3-to-5 favorite ridden by Cesar Moreno, finished second and paid $2.20 and $2.26. The 4-year-old Texas-bred was undefeated in three starts this year, including a 1 ½-length victory in a $114,000 race at Wyoming Downs.

Mysterious Cartel earned $10,546 for his runner-up effort, raising his life total to $267,382. His ledger is 9-8-2 in 21 starts.

Rtm Ginsburg, a 23 to 1 longshot ridden by Dakota Wood, finished third and paid $6 to show.

• $1.00 EXACTA 11-4 $8.82
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 11-4-10 $34.84
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 11-4-10-3 $22.06
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-11 $13.68
• $0.50 PICK 3 7-5-11 $16.87

Race Replay

11th Race The John Deere/Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge

In the $70,307 John Deere Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge for 2-year-old Quarter Horses, Mysterious Hero would not be denied the victory, holding off 4 to 5 favorite Tomatito for a half-length victory in :17.99 seconds for 350 yards.

Ridden by Cesar Moreno, Mysterious Hero returned $6.42 as the second choice in a field of 10. Jose A. Rosales Gomez is the trainer for owner Luis Gonzalez of Salt Lake City. Mysterious Hero, younger brother of AQHA Challenge runner-up Mysterious Cartel, earned $32,343 for the victory, boosting his life total to $76,908. By Tarzanito-Mysterious Night, Mysterious Hero is 3-2-0 from six career starts.

Tomatito, the 4 to 5 favorite, earned $14,062 for finishing second. His career mark is 3-2-0 in five starts with earnings of $25,737.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-8 $7.35
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-8-10 $23.92
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-8-10-7 $32.08
• $0.50 SUPERHIGHFIVE 1-8-10-7-5 $581.28
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 11-1 $15.31
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-11-1 $38.36
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 7-3,5,7-11-1 $60.49
• $0.50 PICK 5 5 OF 5 3-7-3,5,7-11-1 $704.28
• $0.10 PICK 6 6 OF 6 7-3-7-3,5,7-11-1 $402.80
• – PICK 6 CarryOver $658.99

Race Replay

The rest of Saturday’s Card

1st Race

A field of 5 went 6 furlongs and Kir Royale stalked and pounced under pilot Kevin Orozco to win by more than a length in a final time 1:11.64. Kir Royale races for Pat Crow, Jill Fabulich and Debra Pabst and trained by Kay Cooper. Kir Royale is a Washington bred by Atta Boy Roy out of Magical Spell by Include and was bred by Frederick and Debra Pabst.

Bumping River held on well to be 2nd with Silvio Amador, Savita and Alex Cruz ran 3rd with Jenay taking 4th with Adrian Castellanos in the saddle.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-1 $4.07
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-1-4 $3.65
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-1-4-3 $1.33

Race Replay 

2nd Race

Favorite One Phil and Alex Anaya left little doubt who won this one as Phil and Alex went straight to the lead in the 1 mile run and turning for home had a 6 length lead and by the end had more than doubled it to a 12 1/2 length win in a final time of 1:38.94. One Phil races for White Diamond Syndicate, Gary Crandall and Gary Lusk and trained by Vince Gibson.

22-1 Big Wheelz was clearly 2nd best handled by Javier Matias, Betterletitride and Frank Alvarado ran 3rd and Another Lifer with Blake Nunnally took 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 6-2 $16.19
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 6-2-3 $40.40
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 6-2-3-5 $16.71
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-6 $3.32

Race Replay

3rd Race

5 went 6 furlongs in the 3rd and Five Twenty Sunset with Silvio Amador closed strongly to grab the win by just a neck. 2nd choice Handsome Ticket with Talliyah Timentwa just missed to settle for 2nd, Nation of Faith was closing but ran out of track for Adrian Castellanos for a nice 3rd and completing the superfecta was Y Vee R and Allyssa Morales.

Five Twenty Sunset is owned by Rage ‘n RYDRX and Terra Firma Farms and trained by Joe Toye. Five Twenty Sunset is a Washington bred by Coast Guard put of Crafty Diva by Crafty Prospector and was bred by Jean Welch.

• $1.00 EXACTA 4-5 $22.76
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 4-5-6 $18.57
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 4-5-6-1 $6.32
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 6-4 $12.78
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-6-4 $15.70

Race Replay

4th Race

9-2 Orting Mist pulled a minor upset with a dominating performance going gate to wire for Talliyah Timentwa pulling away for a 6 length win. Orting Mist races for Bruce Cudahy and trained by Dan Markle. Orting Mist is a Washington bred by Conveyamce out of Bikini Beach by Harbor the Gold and was bred by Bruce Cudahy.

Obsessed with You and Alex Cruz was a clear 2nd, Shady Creek with Adrian Castellanos was 3rd and Big Brother Ron under Kevin Orozco took 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 6-2 $22.18
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 6-2-3 $24.12
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 6-2-3-7 $19.74
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 4-6 $41.76
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 4-4 $5.66
• $0.50 PICK 3 6-4-6 $82.66
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 5-6-4-6 $132.44

Race Replay

5th Race

Apprentice jockey Talliyah Timentwa liked the front end and answered with a 2nd straight gate to wire clear win this time by 6 3/4’s lengths aboard Oneonta in a 6 furlong sprint with a final time of 1:11.07. Lord of Light and Silvio Amador chased the whole way and was a clear 2nd, At the Cross with Pablo Castillo took the show and Gentleman’s Club ridden by Adrian Castellanos finished 4th.

Oneonta is owned by Chad and Josh and Howard Gibson and trained by Gibson. Oneonta is another Washington bred getting their picture taken on Saturday and is by Accelerate out of Madame Marini by Marino Marini and was bred by Chad Christensen.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-1 $10.04
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-1-2 $17.97
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-1-2-4 $7.74
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 6-5 $20.50
• $0.50 PICK 3 4-6-5 $88.00

Race Replay

6th Race

Big front end wins were in style on Saturday and Magic Jewel ran her oppoenents off their feet with an easy 5+ length win going 6 furlongs in 1:12.66. Jockey Kevin Orozco had Magic Jewel in charge every step of the way and is owned by Blue Ribbon Racing #25 and trained by Kay Cooper. Magic Jewel is another Washington bred winner by Hit it a Bomb out of Magical Spell by Include and was bred by Frederick and Debra Pabst, their 2nd bred win of the day.

Da Bel Fiore ridden by Allyssa Morales grabbed the place, Melidous Sonnet and Alex Cruz was 3rd and Helen Gone took 4th with Alex Anaya.

• $1.00 EXACTA 7-2 $7.83
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 7-2-1 $10.72
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 7-2-1-5 $7.10
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-7 $8.05
• $0.50 PICK 3 6-5-7 $41.67

Race Replay

7th Race

Leading rider Silvio Amador timed this one perfectly as he and I’m Noble went the one lap mile run. Stalking in 4th rolled up on the outside of the tiring front speed to pull ahead and win by more than a length in a final time of 1:38.69. I’m Noble is owned by Rusty George Warwick and a 2nd training win for Joe Toye.

Counteract and Frank Alvarado ran a hard 2nd, House of Lords under Adrian Castellanos took 3rd and Lucky Code piloted by Kevin Krigger was 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 3-4 $19.86
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 3-4-6 $29.83
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 3-4-6-7 $28.31
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 7-3 $22.64
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-7-3 $35.85
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 6-5-7-3 $256.04

Race Replay

8th Race

A field of 8 went the 1 mile and betting choice Saint Mihiel was never far behind and took over with a strong move at the top of the stretch by Silvio Amador to win by 2 lengths in a final time of 1:39.01. Saint Mihiel is owned by Gene Heredia, Eliesid Flores Sandoval and Eliana Thompson and trained by Jorge Rosales.

Platinum Diva and Alex Cruz ran 2nd also trained by Rosales while Zippin Sevenz led early under Jose Rodriguez held on for 3rd and Roses R Blue ridden by Kevin Orozco closed from far back to be 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 7-1 $5.32
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 7-1-6 $7.32
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 7-1-6-3 $10.28
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 3-7 $31.57
• $0.50 PICK 3 7-3-7 $28.80
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 5-7-3-7 $69.36

Race Replay

9th Race

El Joy got a patient ride from Silvio Amador who finally found room to get to the outside and then ground out a hearty win by nearly a length over Winds of Freedom and Alex Cruz.  Winds of Freedom got up to nip Lil Richards Bello and Adrian Castellanos by a nose for the place and You’re the Cause with Javier Matias closed from far back to grab 4th.

Taboada Racing Stables were the winning owners of El Joy and trained by Jorge Rosales for his 2nd win of the day.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-1 $8.88
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-1-8 $20.73
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-1-8-2 $17.79
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 7-5 $6.95
• $0.50 PICK 3 3-7-5 $30.12
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 7-3-7-3,5,7 $80.66

Race Replay

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