Horse Racing: Championship Sunday at Emerald Downs! Adios Jojo stuns in the 91st Longacres Mile

8/16/2026

(Auburn, WA) Championship Sunday arrived at the Auburn oval on this sunday afternoon and featured a massive 12 race card with half of those Stakes races. Topping the 6 Stakes races was the 91st Longacres Mile and it certianly was an unbelievable finish for the $125,000 purse.

Our coverage today will be focused on races recaps, pay-outs and race replays. News and notes will be added later this week in a separate story. Our coverage begins with the 91st Longacres Mile followed by the 89th Muckelshoot Derby, 47th Oaks, 31st Distaff and then the Lassies and Lads.

That is followed by re-caps of the 6 other Sunday races.

Special thanks to Emerald Media Director Vince Bruun and track photographers Reid and Erin Palmer.

9th Race the 91st Longacres Mile $125,000 Purse

This wasn’t the largest field or maybe the most prestigious but there were a pair of Emerald Downs’ blue-bloods who had to battle an impressive invader handled by a local guy.

Wesley Ward grew up in Selah and got his start to an impressive career as a jockey and then even bigger as a trainer. For everything he has accomplished the Longacres Mile had always evaded him. He decided this was the year to try and check off this must do item and brought in Touchy who has been running at higher classes at severeal other tracks but still was looking for his 1st Stakes win.

Ward brought along 18-year-old jockey sensation Yedsit Hazlewood to ride Touchy. Hazlewood is currently ranked 4th in the nation in wins with 194 for 2026. Hazlewood trails only Paco Lopez, Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz in wins.

The two most likely to pull the upset were Si That Tiger with current Emerald leading rider Silvio Amador and local fan favorite running in his 5th straight Mile Slew’s Tiz Whiz.

When the gates open 34-1 Adios Jojo was sent to the lead by Kevin Orozco and trainer Howie Gibson had been aiming at this race since Jojo won a mile race earlier in the season. Orozco didn’t think there woiuld be much pace and wanted to set the fractions which he did going 23.23, 45.65 and 1:09.54 for 3/4’s.

The odds-on invader Touchy had been keeping Jojo in range and at the quarter pole surged to engage Adios Jojo. But Jojo was not done and thise two threw down for the length of the stretch. As they neared the finish line Touchy just got his nose out to get the win over a massive effort from Adios Jojo.

Orozco had suffered a similar fate just a few years ago when he longshot Windribbon right on the line for the Mile only to get nosed out by Background.

But the Inquiry sign flashed and Orozco also claimed foul against the unofficial winner. Deep in the stretch run Touchy came in on Adios Jojo ever so slightly and there was some contact. As the stewards reviewed the tape they came to the decision that even though it was a minor bumping it was enough to be the difference in a win for Jojo and disqualified Touchy placing him 2nd and moving Adios Jojo up to 1st place. And for the first time in the 91-year history of the historic Longacres Mile, the outcome was decided by a disqualification.

“The horses were head and head and (Touchy) came over on Adios Jojo,” said Presiding Steward Vince Funk. “We felt the interference was enough to make the difference. It cost (Adios Jojo) the decision.”

Scoring his first Mile victory, Orozco said the verdict was just.

“Both horses were battling to the last jump and my horse was really digging in, and then what happened happened,” Orozco said.

Trained by 33-year-old Howie Gibson for Chad Christensen and Josh McKee of Enumclaw, Adios Jojo was timed in 1:35.29 and earned $68,750 for the victory. A 4-year-old Oregon-bred by Smiling Tige,

Adios Jojo has an overall mark of 5-2-4 in 15 starts with earnings of $142,821.

Wesley Ward, trainer of Touchy, said it was a blow to have his lifelong dream of winning the Mile lost via DQ.

“That was a tough one, but that’s racing” Ward said. “I’ve coveted winning this race as everyone knows. It’s a very tough way to lose.”

Owned by Three Chimneys Farm, Touchy was a strong favorite based on solid Midwest and East Coast races including stakes placings at Saratoga, Pimlico and Turfway Park. He earned $25,000 to move his overall mark to 3-4-2 in 11 starts with earnings of $383,767.

In this race hidden away was another big run from Slew’s Tiz Whiz who came running again under Frank Alvarado. He was well behind the 2 leaders at the top of the stretch but ended up just 1 1/2 lengths behind the duo at the finish line.

In the last 5 Mile’s Slew has won and placed 3rd three times.

He’s Not Talking, Kevin Krigger riding, finished fourth while Si That Tiger, J. B. Books, Executive Chef and Catch a Breeze rounded out the complete order of finish.

Adios Jojo is only the third Oregon-bred Mile winner, and the first since Praise Jay in 1969.

Gibson, the meet’s leading trainer, had three wins Sunday including two stakes and said winning the Longacres Mile is a dream, especially with a horse running for a $25,000 claiming price last Memorial Day.

“Even the experience of running in the (Mile) was great, just unbelievable,” Gibson said. “After the last win, I knew Chad (Christensen) would appreciate running in the Mile. It’s a great day.”

No Giveaway at $122 in 2005 holds the record for biggest payout in Mile history.

• $1.00 EXACTA 4-1 $103.96
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 4-1-2 $124.99
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 4-1-2-7 $148.30
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-4 $88.36
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-1,5-4 $133.97
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 1,4,6-5-1,5-4 $136.19

Race Replay

11th Race the 89th Muckleshoot Derby $50,000 Purse

In the finale of 6 stakes races the 89th Muckleshoot Derby going a 1 1/16 miles had 10 starters. Robin Racer was bet down to odds-on favoritisd and broke from the 1 hole. There was a scramble for the lead with Chase eventually grabbinbg it as Silvio Amador was pressing the pace along with Nightcap Recap and count dalia who would both tire and fade to the back of the pack. 

Chase set some fast fractions of 22.29, 45.34 and 1:10.54 for 3/4’s. Odds-on choice Robin Racer settled in well behind the pacesetters and Frank Alvarado knew patience was on his side. Alvarado sat back in 7th place and watched 12-1 Senor Tequilas and Adrian Castellanos make their move heading into the far turn. Alvarado waited and slowly began picking up Robin’s pace.

Turning for home Chase and Senor Tequilas were matching strides and Alvarado found a seem right between the two of them. They blew past the tiring Chase and then set their sights on Senor which they caught just inside the 16th pole to win by nearly 3 lengths in a final time of 1:44.15.

Robin Racer comes from the always dangerous Tom Wenzel barn and the Todaro racing empire. Robin Racer added another Stakes win after taking the Seattle Slew last month. This is Robin Racer’s 3rd stakes win all at Emerald Downs as they won the Gottstein last September on closing day.

Robin Racer is now 4-2-0 from 8 lifetime starts and picked up the $27,500 top prize in the Derby and pushed his earnings over 100k to $120,950.

Senor Tequilas ran a big race to take 2nd, Chase did well to holkd onto 3rd while 99-1 Al’s Big Boy under Alex Anaya closed to get 4th and complete the superfecta. 

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-6 $10.56
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-6-8 $20.11
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-6-8-10 $137.44
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 4-1 $9.78
• $0.50 PICK 3 4-4-1 $252.52
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 1,5-4-4-1 $382.39

Race Replay

10th Race the 47th Washington Oaks $50,000 Purse

Plenty of front speed in the 47th Oaks with Falling Leaves, Alluring Valentine and Mimi Kai. When that all fell apart at the top of the sdtretch, Bewitching Joy was the first of the first runs with Malibu Lady and Storm Harbor and then that would fall apart leaving a huge opening for a last to 1st run from a horse still looking for her 1st career win.

Tipitap with Blake Nunnally in the irons had a bit of a rough trip going the 1 1/16 having to check down the back stretch and then again on the turn but with the tiring pace and then a bit of a flat effort from the stalkers finally a hole opened up for Tipitap and she exploded. Nunnally says the issue during the race seemed to just make her madder and when she got her chance she took full advantage.

2-1 Storm Harbor and Silvio Amador did break free to run into 2nd place and Bewitching Joy with Isaias Enriquez looked like she might make a big move turning for home and may have had the lead foir a short time but flattened out and then came back on to hold the show while Malibu Lady ridden by Alex Cruz flattened out late for 4th place.

Tipitap was running in southern California when she caught the eye of Ron Kalina who dropped a claim on her for $50,000 on April 30th. Kalina brought her north and teamed up with trainer Blaine Wright. They started her at emerald in the Seattle Stakes where she ran well back. They entered her in the kent Stakes in July and she ran a big 3rd for her best performance to date. 

That effort gave the team the confidence to take a shot in the Oaks and boy did it pay off. Nunnally did not over react to the issues he faced and was patient knowing he had a runb in her when the time was right and they did it in impressive fashion.

Tipitap earned $27,500 for the Oaks victory and more than doubled her bank account to $36,775. She is now 1-0-1 from 7 career starts.

• $1.00 EXACTA 4-7 $20.88
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 4-7-8 $39.00
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 4-7-8-1 $29.81
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 4-4 $132.97
• $0.50 PICK 3 1,5-4-4 $163.95
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 5-1,5-4-4 $425.12

Race Replay

8th Race The 31st Emerald Distaff $50,000 Purse

The 31st Emerald Distaff was set to go 1 1/16 miles and Aloha Breeze was the overwhelming favorite. However, A-B is best at sprinting and although has shown she can get 2 turns it’s certianly not as automatic as when she lines up to go 6 furlongs.

Stay Sassy was in the line-up who beat Aloha Breeze last year. Precise Timing just ran 2nd to Breeze and jockey Kevin Orozco was not happy with the trip hje got in that run and a clean trip may set this race up far differently than their last meeting.

Before the field broke under the watchful eye of starter Mark Gibson, there was a late scratch when Someday Lady broke free during the warm-up leaving 6 to run.

As expected at the bell Aloha Breeze went to the front and Adrian Castellanos got her to pace herself as no one put any pressure on the front runner. Aloha Breeze set fractions of 22.85 and 45.64 leaving plenty of gas in the tank.

6-1 Precise Timing broke well and got engaged much sooner than she normally does. Orozco knew he had to be closer and at the quarter pole was within 3 lengths.

But there was no stopping Aloha Breeze as Castellanos turned her loose to pull away and win by 6+ lengths in a final time of 1:42.09. Precise Timing ran a huge race for her connections but was clearly 2nd best, Saleen GT closed well to be 3rd for rider Isaias Enriquez with Young Life Laura and Silvio Amador running 4th.

This was the 10th stakes win for Aloha Breeze which makes her the all-time Stakes winner for fillies or mares at Emerald Downs. She is owned by George Todaro and trained by Tom Wenzel, the track’s all-time leading stakes trainer.

Aloha Breeze added another $27,500 to her career warchest now up to $416,400. Her career record is now an eye-popping 16-4-1 fromj 23 career starts for a 69.6 win percent.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-6 $4.62
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-6-2 $4.27
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-6-2-7 $8.19
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-5 $2.14
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-1 $2.85
• $0.50 PICK 3 1,4,6-5-1,5 $4.18

Race Replay

6th Race The WTBOA Lassies $50,000 Purse

The first Stakes race of Championship Sunday had two late scratches leaving just 4 juvenile fillies to go 6 furlongs. Saint Indie and Champagne Delight were the scratches.

That left two big favorites and two outsiders. Mattie Goincoastal made her 3rd start trying to remain undefeated but is facing an impressive maiden winner. The public agreed these were the two to beat.

When the gates opened Playa Luna got the jump with Frank Alvarado as mattie Goincoastal broke a bit sideways and was just a step behind Playa Luna. But it didn’t take Mattie and lokrolkzco to quickly recover and put her head in front down the backstretch.

From the start this was a match race between the two 4-5 shots and they blazed the first quarter in 21.77. Mattie kept the pressure on Luna as they slowed it down a bit hitting the half in 45.04.

Jockey Kevin Orozco siad after the race that he knew he had plenty underneath him and asked Mattie to go at the quarter pole and she let loose with a burst. Mattie pulled away and cruised to an easy win by more than 3 lengths in a final time of 1:11.01.

Playa Luna was clearly second best, 22-1 Dragonella closed to take the show with Pabli Castillo aboard and Melba’s Gold ridden by Adrian Castellanos faded a bit to finish 4th.

Mattie Goincoastal is owned by Nina and Ron Hagen and Gary Lusk and trained by Howard Gibson. Mattie Goincoastal is a Washington bred by Coast Guard out of Ms Moscow Mattie by Matty G and bred by the Hagen’s at El Dorado Farms.

Mattie GoinCoastal is now 3 for 3 and undefeated picking up her 2nd Stakes win after taking the Angie C in July. She earned $28,200 to push her earnings to $71,560.

• $1.00 EXACTA 4-2 $2.40
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 4-2-5 $5.66
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 4-2-5-3 $1.01
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-4 $5.99
• $0.50 PICK 3 1,7-5-1,4,6 $18.17

Race Replay

7th Race The WTBOA Lads $50,000 Purse

The WTBOA Lads stakes was a well matched field of 6 with Coal Front Kid from trainer Jack McCartney’s barn bet down as the 6-5 favorite, Diamond Dasher from the powerful George Todaro barn was the 2nd choice at 2-1.

The juvenile boys went 6 furlongs and as they broke from the gates Coal Front Kid from the 5 hole got the early jump but quickly taken up by Diamond Dasher along the rail. Jockey Frank Alvarado did not want to get stuck so felt he needed to dictate terms. This the pilot for Coal Front Kid, Blake Nunnally the option to go head and head or lay of just slightly.

Nunnally decided to just sit at Diamond’s neck as the duo carved out quick fractions of 21.77 and 44.58. Turning for home Diamond Dasher would not give in as Coal Front Kid engaged and they went nose-to-nose.

Then they had to deal with 9-1 Candy Charmer and Kevin Krigger as they came flying late and Ziwhat just behind as there was a 1/2 length separating the top 4 finishers.

Coal Front Kid would get the head in front for the win as Diamond Dasher ran a gutsy race to nose out Candy Charmer for 2nd and Ziwhat with Adrian Castellanos was also closing and looks to want more ground than the 6 furlongs. Nunnally said Coal Front Kid settled in nicely and was very patient but when it came time to ge to work he changed leads perfectly then showed his grit getting this win. This was Nunnally’s first stakes win at Emerald Downs.

Coal Front Kid stopped the clock in 1:10.37 and races for Tawnja Elison and trained by Jack McCartney.

Coal Front Kid is now is 1-1-0 from 2 starts and he earned $30,250 for the win to push his lifetime earnings to $40,150.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-2 $5.70
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-2-3 $11.80
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-2-3-6 $4.79
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 4-5 $6.96
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-1,4,6-5 $11.36
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 1,7-5-1,4,6-5 $38.92

Race Replay

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The rest of Sunday’s races

1st Race

After a late scratch just left 4 to go 6 furlongs and Miss Dynamic made quick work of her 3 challengers. Blake Nunnally sent Miss Dynamic straight to the lead from the 1 post and simply extended her lead with every pole winning by nearly 8 lengths in a final time of 1:10.88. I’m Telling Mom and Silvio Amador were a clear 2nd, betting favorite Sharp Ride and Jake Samuels took 3rd with Miss Union and Kevin Krigger in 4th.

Miss Dynamic is owned by Antonio Mendoza and trained by Jessie Velasquez. Miss Dynamic is a Washington bred by Dynamic Impact out of Miss Salome by Harbor the Gold and was bred by Antonio Mendoza.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-3 $8.63
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-3-4 $8.74
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-3-4-2 $1.51

Race Replay

2nd Race

The field of 6 going 6 furlongs was over at the break as the very sharp Taino House was pushed to the front by Kevin Krigger and he never looked back running the 3/4’s in a very fast 1:08.89. Taino House races for Laura Oatfield and Charlie Essex and trained by Essex.

Elevado ran hard and held off Adios Nicanor for the place for Frank Alvarado. Alex Cruz ran an even 3rd with Adios Nicanor with 20-1 Mr Executive and Kevin Orozco wrapping up the superfecta.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-4 $5.01
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-4-5 $9.57
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-4-5-2 $5.34
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-1 $8.91

Race Replay

3rd Race

A late scratch of Pistol Power left 6 to go 1 mile and 70 yards. 4-5 odds-on choice Light the Beam got a perfect trip from jockey Kevin Krigger sitting in 4th place and letting the frontrunners to battle it out. Turning for home, Krigger angled Beam to the outside and pounced on Bert’s Prospect to pull away for the win in a final time of 1:40.16. Light the Beam races for Hern/LePley Racing and trained by Tim McCanna.

2nd choice Bert’s Prospect was the main pacesetter and Adrian Castellanos just couldn’t hang on long enough but was clearly 2nd best. Bourbon Dancer and Kevin Orozco also part of the pace scenario held well for the show with longshot Gordy’s Boy and Alex Anaya getting up for 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-3 $4.87
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-3-7 $5.46
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-3-7-1 $2.03
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-2 $4.93
• $0.50 PICK 3 1-1-2,5 $9.05

Race Replay

4th Race

6 went 6 1/2 furlongs and 8-5 betting favorite Bruce’s Moose first took some time to get in the gate and then at the break from the outside post broke oout and jockey Alex Cruz lost his stirrup only to get his foot back in and although 10 wide had plenty of time to get “the Moose” settled and back near the fence on the ,lead. Turning for home Cruz gave Bruce a reminder and he was gone to an easy win in a final time of 1:17.19. Bruce’s Moose races for Bruce Cudahy and trained by Dan Markle.

Bruce’s Moose is a Washington bred by Conveyance out of Bikini Beach by Harbor the Gold and was bred by Bruce Cudahy.

Silver Ice ran with speed and held well for Silvio Amador to place, Raven Rendezvous closed for Kevin Orozco for the show and Star Travel tired in the end under Adrian Castellanos for 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 7-3 $8.87
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 7-3-4 $15.07
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 7-3-4-5 $6.26
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-7 $4.93
• $0.50 PICK 3 1-2,5-1,7 $14.14
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 1-1-2,5-1,7 $33.08

Race Replay

5th Race

A field of 9 went 1 1/8 miles and 2-1 second favorite Creative Om went right to the lead as Adrian Castellanos hit the send button. Creative Om set some blistering fractions of 22. 86 and 46.66 for the longest race of the year so far. But Castellanos knew what he had as Creative Om never stopped and easily held off the favorite Brother O’Brien and Kevin Krigger for the win. Creative Om races for Tsujikawa racing and Miranda Gibson and trained by Howie Gibson.

Brother O’Brien was 2nd, 19-1 Jullian in Paris under Blake Nunnally got the show just over Afjan ridden by Alex Cruz.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-9 $8.97
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-9-3 $25.80
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-9-3-2 $16.03
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 7-5 $27.83
• $0.50 PICK 3 2,5-1,7-5 $16.67

Race Replay

12th Race

Guard your Spot went to the lead for Allyssa Morales when no one else seemed to want it and she was able to control the fractions and ended Championship Sunday with a nice win. Guard Your Spot races for Q Stable and trained by Doug McPhee. Guard Your Spot is a Washington bred by Coast Guard out of Find your Spoit by Nationhooid and was bred by Frederick and Debra Pabst.

Bobs Honey closed nicely for Kevin Krigger to run 2nd, Company Girl and Isaias Enriquez ran a solid 3rd, Tiger Lady and Alex Anaya took the 4th spot and completing the Super High 5 was Cape Blossom and Silvio Amador.

• $1.00 EXACTA 6-2 $22.24
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 6-2-9 $83.09
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 6-2-9-1 $76.36
• $0.50 SUPERHIGHFIVE 6-2-9-1-5 $606.59
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-6 $14.30
• $0.50 PICK 3 4-1-6 $45.57
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 4-4-1-6 $1,734.49
• $0.50 PICK 5 5 OF 5 1,5-4-4-1-6 $2,481.02
• – PICK 6 CarryOver $3,633.72
• $0.10 PICK 6 6 OF 6 5-1,5-4-4-1-6 $727.20

Race Replay

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