Emerald Downs in Auburn has announced a 10% purse increase on overnight races for the 2022 horse racing season.

This is the second consecutive year that purses have increased 10% for overnight races, which is a race in which entries close a specific number of hours before running as opposed to a stakes race for which nominations close weeks and sometimes months in advance.

The 2021 season marked the return of fans after running in front of an empty grandstand in 2020. Track President Phil Ziegler was pleased to have the fans back.

“Our race fans came out to enjoy the beautiful weather, great racing, and popular promotions,” Ziegler said. “Revenue from admissions, food and beverages, and wagering were all better than projected. That enables us to put more money towards purses in 2022.”

Each season the track receives a purse supplement from the Muckleshoot Tribe, which own and operate Emerald Downs.

The purse increase announcement comes after the track met with representatives from both the horsemen and breeders’ group. Incentive programs including the popular shipping bonus will return. The 2022 Longacres Mile will have a purse of $150,000, a $50,000 increase from the past two years.

Emerald Downs’ stable area is scheduled to open at the beginning of March. Details of the 2022 season along with stall applications will be available later this fall.

The 2021 season wraps up Sept. 25-26.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the correct closing weekend dates.