Playfair Gets Ok To Open Winter Season On Jan. 3

The Washington Horse Racing Commission on Friday approved a newly installed safety rail at Playfair Race Course in Spokane and authorized the delayed experimental winter season to begin Jan. 3.

The winter meet had originally been approved to begin in early December, but was postponed by the commission after jockeys complained that a temporary inside safety rail was substandard.

A new rail was then installed.

The approval means Playfair and Emerald Downs in Auburn will conduct racing simultaneously. Each track will post races on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. All races will be available for wagering at both tracks, as well as all satellite locations in the state.

The commission also approved a request to cancel racing at Emerald Downs this weekend because of the winter storm. Racing will resume Jan. 3.