Washington Thoroughbred Spring 2021

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The Inside Track Fans welcomed back for 2021 season! by Vince Bruun, Emerald Downs Director of Media Relations

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e are excited to welcome back fans for the 2021 racing season! The health and safety of our fans, employees and racing industry participants is and always will be our top priority! You are strongly encouraged to prepurchase tickets online. Tickets will be available at the gates only if availability remains. Daily attendance is limited as per protocols in place for spectator sports in Washington. A day at the track will look and feel different in 2021 but the thrills and fun of live horse racing will be the

same as always! Please read over all race day information before purchasing tickets. Emerald Downs follows all guidelines and protocols in the Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery plan. Face Masks: Required at all times for fans ages two and older, except when actively drinking or eating while seated. Masks are not permitted to be removed at any time while standing or walking throughout the track. Adult Ticket Prices: The $10 per person ticket now includes general admission

2021 Racetrack Protocol Questions and Answers Q. How many fans can attend a day at the races? A. Emerald Downs attendance is limited to 25 percent and is dependent on King County being in Phase 2 or 3 of the Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery plan. Q. Why is now an admission charge for children? A. With limitations on attendance, we need to account for everyone who attends the races. Q. Will you be having July 3 Fireworks and other popular promotions? A. No promotions are scheduled at this time, but we are hoping to add them as the season progresses. July 3 Fireworks, Corgi Races, Family Days, and Indian Relay Racing are all being considered. Q. Will you have any offers on Groupon? A. Dependent on availability we may offer a limited amount of daily general admission tickets on Groupon. Q. Where can I sit with my general admission ticket? A. Our benches will be clearly marked and blocked off in areas to maintain social distancing. Picnic tables will also be available. Q. Can I watch the horses in the paddock? A. Some high congregation locations near the paddock and winner’s circle will be blocked off but there are many places you can safely stand with views of these areas. Q. I always brought food to the track. Why can I no longer do that? A. As most fans arrive around the same time, we are doing our best to speed up the entry process, limit contact, and do it safely. This will also help us keep the track clean and sanitized. (Plus, we sell great food!) Q. Will you have an area for people to smoke? A. Until further notice there will be no smoking in any public areas of the track. Masks are required to be worn at all times except while actively eating or drinking while seated. Q. Will you consider adding more weekend race days? A. If restrictions are lifted as the season progresses, we will consider making changes to our schedule. Currently we have Sunday racing beginning on June 20. 34

and a race program. This is a $2 savings from previous years. The $13 per person ticket includes general admission, a race program, and a reserved grandstand seat. Reserved seats will be socially spaced between groups. Children Tickets: The price per ticket for children ages 12 and under is $5. ($8 includes a reserved seat.) Parking: Both free general parking and paid preferred parking will be available. There will be no valet parking service this season. Admission Policies: No outside food or beverages permitted with the exception of a sealed 32-ounce (or smaller) bottle of water per person. Seating: General admission bench and table seating is available throughout the track. All seating will be clearly marked to ensure six-foot separation between groups. For reserved grandstand seats, social distancing protocols have been built into the ticketing system. Smoking: There is no smoking in any public areas of the track. Food and Beverage Concessions: All bars and concessions are cashless with the exception of Quick Pix on Floor 5. If you do not have a debit or credit card you may purchase a gift card at Customer Service on track level or Floor 5. You may also use Apple or Google Pay. Menus will be streamlined with food packaged and ready to expedite your time at the concession stands. Wagering: A greater percentage of wagering machines will be self-service. Please follow the floor markers to maintain social distancing while waiting to bet. Contactless wagering is available using betemerald.com while at the track. See customer service for details. Racing Forms: Forms and simulcast programs will be sold at Customer Service. Gift Shop: The Gift Shop is currently closed. 5th Floor Dining Tables: A limited number of Rainier dining tables will be open on Floor 5. Each table has a television monitor. These will be first come, first served on each race day. There will be no Washington Thoroughbred


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