Yakima Group Joins Scramble For Racing Dates

Fri., Nov. 15, 1996

Associated Press

A group tied to the Central Washington Fair Association plans to file an application for 1997 horse racing dates at Yakima Meadows.

The application to the Washington Horse Racing Commission will request 63 racing days in two meets. The first meet would start in January, and the second in October.

The Yakima Meadows application and developments affecting scheduled winter meets at Auburn and Spokane are among the likely topics when the WHRC meets today in Auburn. Emerald Downs winds up its inaugural season in Auburn this weekend.

Last Friday, the commission awarded winter dates to Emerald and Spokane’s Playfair Race Course in the absence of a licensee at Yakima Meadows, which has historically operated during the winter.

However, the commission indicated it remained willing to consider a license application for Yakima.

“We should have a very good chance, mainly because we have been here for so many years,” said Greg Stewart, Central Washington Fair Association president and general manager. ” We are not an unknown entity.”

Yakima was left without racing with the surprise announcement last month that Apple Tree Turf Associates would not conduct its meeting.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Yakima Group Joins Scramble For Racing Dates

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Updated: Mariners waste Logan Gilbert’s dominant outing in loss to White Sox

Updated: Kevin Fitzer homers twice, Spokane Indians down Tri-City in finale 8-3 | NWL baseball

Seahawks sale is likely inevitable. Here’s what fans should hope to avoid | Commentary