EMERALD DOWNS LOCAL TRIP GOES EXTRA MILE

By Abbey Jorstad

KTTC members have just returned from the third annual KTTC Longacres Mile Trip to Emerald Downs, and, once again, have rave reviews. About 20 young race fans from Washington showed up for the Mile, which is the highlight of racing in the Pacific Northwest.

We all showed up at the track at 10 am (not too early) and watched workouts with Paul, our tour guide for the day. We then took the tram to the backside and had a tour of the on-site veterinary facilities. Emerald Downs is one of only two tracks west of the Mississippi with full surgery capabilities, so it was interesting to see the X-ray machines, and surgery rooms close up. The veterinarian who gave us the tour (a.k.a X-ray Jim), gave us a comprehensive explanation of the process a horse experiences. He also took about half an hour to answer our questions about such topics as West Nile Virus, navicular disease, colic, Coggins disease, and bone plates.

After the veterinary tour, we hopped back on the tram and drove around the barns (we weren't allowed to walk through the stables during workout hours), however it still proved very educational. We then stopped at the Quarter Chute Cafe, where we learned how programs are made, and how posts are drawn. Everyone was quite interested in the small bean like things that the numbers are printed on.

Next, the group walked back to the grandstand, where we met with one of the Northwest's top jockeys, Gallyn Victor Mitchell. He gave us some tips about who to bet for on the card, and told us about how he first got interested in racing (somehow his interest sprung from the family rodeo business--I'm still lost). He also told us about his stunt work in such movies as Planet of the Apes, and Seabiscuit.

After Gallyn granted everyone autographs and pictures, we went to our seats, and received free lunches and gift bags full of tee shirts, hats, pens, and other goodies, compliments of Emerald Downs. Everyone was surprised and amused to see American Idol's A.J Gil (whose real name we discovered is Abner!) sing the national anthem. Several members went down and got pictures and autographs with Gil.

The third race on the card was the Kids to the Cup Purse, so some of the people got to go in the winner's circle to watch the race, and pose in the win picture.

For the fourth and fifth races, Ryen and I divided members into two groups to visit the stewards, and announcer Robert Gellar, for one race each. The stewards talked to us about how they call a race, and about the different types of fouls they regulate. They also clued the group in about how to get a license if you want to work at the track. My groups watched the Pacific Classic with the stewards, who were all very impressed with Came Home's victory, and had much praise for him. We then switched offices, and went to visit Robert. We stayed with him while he called a race, and added money to a pool of who would win the Longacres Mile (Melissa eventually won all ten dollars). After these visits, we all went back down to watch the races, and cheer for our favorites.

The Longacres Mile was upon us before we knew it, and everyone had their picks. In the end, longshot Sabertooth pulled through to a victory over such horses as Futural and Prodigious. Ryen and I watched sadly as they painted the colors of Sabertooth's silks over our lovely whitewashing job on the paddock jockey (whom we named Cletus). At the end of the day, everyone went home, tired, but hopefully content. We learned a lot throughout the day, and met many interesting people, and horses. Ryen and I would especially like to thank Emerald Downs, Kerry Dalton, Susie Sourwine, Robert Gellar, Paul, and X-ray Jim for all of their help in planning and executing another fantastic trip.