Sorry for the delay in the wrap-up of this year’s season, it has been so HECTIC around here!
Preston and I elected again this year to join the Emerald Racing Club. If you have EVER wanted to see what it’s like to be a racehorse owner, and you live in the Great Seattle area, I highly, and I MEAN HIGHLY recommend taking part in the Emerald Racing Club. The camaraderie and experiences I have gotten to have the last couple of years have been some of the most fun I have gotten to have.
Throughout the season Emerald Racing Club 2023 owned 3 horses; Scatalicious (CA) (Majestic Gold x Miss Scatalicious [Scat Daddy]) 2020 bay filly; Warren’s Memorable (CA) (Misremembered x Warren’s Amber [Broadway Moon]) 2018 chestnut mare; and Rekleining (CA) (Curlin to Mischief x Romancingthecrown [Good Journey]) a 2020 chestnut gelding. Again, all of these horses were a joy to own and interact with in the barn.
This year ERC had 15 starts with only 1 win, 5 places, and 6 shows. Of our 3 horses this year only one was able to bring us home a win, but sometimes it’s not about the wins, it’s about the fun of cheering them on.
Our first official horse was Scatalicious aka Scatty claimed on 4/19/2023 in race 3 for $15000 at Turf Paradise. Born in CA she was taken to auction in Arizona as a yealing and unfortunately did not draw a bid. Prior to running for ERC Scatty ran 8 times with 1 win and 2 thirds. Scatty ran 8 times for us in the ERC and won ZERO times, but here’s the kicker, she never placed worse than 3rd. She was actually the ONLY horse of the meet to NEVER win and never place worse than 3rd. We LOVED Miss Scatty. She was super sweet and loved snuggles. She has been purchased by a group of ERC members to continue to run her next season after winter lay-up.
Our second ERC horse, also claimed on 4/19/2023 in race 4 at Turf Paradise, was Warren’s Memorable for $4500. Warren, as we so lovingly called her, was also a Cal-bred horse. She was never sold at auction and made her way to us through being claimed. Prior to becoming an ERC horse, Warren ran 25 times with 1 win, 2 seconds, and 3 thirds. Warren ran for the ERC 6 times before getting claimed away on 8/4/2023. In her tenure with us she picked up another win on her card, and a second place and 2 third places. After being claimed she went on to win another race and come in 3rd another time on Closing Day at the track. I think it is fair to say that Warren really seemed to excel racing at Emerald Downs and I hope we get to see her next season.
Our third horse for the ERC was Rekleining. He was a sweet boy but somewhat of a failure. We purchased him in a direct sale for $7500. Prior to being owned by ERC he had one start at Turf Paradise. He had been sold at auction in California as a two-year-old for $6500 at the Winter Mixed Sale in 2022. Unfortunately, Rekleining only had one start with ERC and then ended up with chips in his knees. Some horses are just not able to hold up to the hard track at Emerald Downs. Thankfully we were able to find him an AMAZING home as a therapy horse where he gets to help teenagers process trauma. A special thing about Rekleining is that he was bred by a farm that is near and dear to my heart. He was the biggest ham and SO LAZY. I found him passed out in his stall on more than one occasion, but he did always enjoy a snuggle.
Overall, I was SUPER happy with our season and we will continue to participate in subsequent years. Its a great way for us to keep a pulse on the local racing industry.
As always, if you ever have questions about the industry, owning racehorses, or the Emerald Racing Program, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask!
Thanks for stopping by!
A