Breakfast at the Wire returns July 8

Breakfast at the Wire – where fans can enjoy a leisurely breakfast while watching Thoroughbreds train – returns for a fourth straight season beginning July 8 and continuing every Saturday through August 26.

Sponsored by Toscano’s Italian Grill, Breakfast at the Wire is located adjacent to the finish line and next to Trackside Deli – making it a perfect vantage point to enjoy breakfast while viewing the nearly 1,000 Thoroughbreds racing and training at Emerald Downs.

Breakfast at the Wire runs from 8 to 10 a.m. with entry via the Paddock Gate. The $6 price includes free parking and entry to the track, and a breakfast choice of scrambled eggs, bacon and hash browns, or scrambled eggs with biscuits and gravy along with giant cinnamon rolls and gourmet coffee from Rad Roasting Company.

Hosted by Dean Mazzuca for a fourth straight year, Breakfast at the Wire also features prominent guests from all facets of Thoroughbred racing, along with surprise visits from star jockeys and trainers at Emerald Downs. Other guests include veterinarians, stewards, assistant starters, association clockers, farriers and many others.

Following the lead of Santa Anita’s famous Clockers’ Corner, Vicki Potter of Emerald Downs Group Sales has developed Breakfast at the Wire since its 2014 inception.

“The idea is to generate excitement in a leisurely atmosphere with fans old and new, by giving them a glimpse into all the hard work and behind-the-scenes morning activity that goes into horse racing,” Potter said.

Here are just a few of last year’s guests: Longacres Mile winning jockeys Leslie Mawing, Gallyn Mitchell and Jennifer Whitaker, Washington Hall of Fame Trainers Howard Belvoir and Larry and Sharon Ross, and track officials Phil Ziegler, Joe Withee and Bob Fraser.