For the Reporter

Emerald Downs unveils its new jumbo-sized video screen for its live racing audience today.

Fire post is 4:$5 p.m.

Affixed behind the tote board and in front of the grandstand, the 25-by-47-foot video screen can be seen nearly throughout the entire facility. Viewing angles have already been tested from as far as south of the grandstand to more than halfway up the North Park.

Track President Phil Ziegler said the video screen is a “game changer” in how fans watch and enjoy the races at Emerald Downs.

“There are many families that enjoy being by the rail but they couldn’t see most of the race,” Ziegler said. “Now they will see all the action plus replays.”

During live racing, Emerald Downs will show its house feed on the video screen, which includes each race and replay, paddock analysis, produced features and horsemen interviews. However, Ziegler expects that there will be several other opportunities that come with the new screen.

In fact on Sunday, Emerald Downs will project a live broadcast of the 47th Running of the $1.75 Million Haskell Invitational (Grade 1) at Monmouth Park. Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, listed at 1-to-5 on the morning line, will break from post No. 4. Post time for the Haskell is at approximately 2:52 p.m.

Mile fever at Del Mar

In preparation for the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Grade 3) on Sunday, Aug. 16, Emerald Downs sent one of its top correspondents to spread word and recruit nominations for the Northwest’s richest and most prestigious race.

Director of Media Relations Vince Bruun made his annual two-day trip to Del Mar, where he’s been rubbing elbows with some of the top trainers at the San Diego racetrack.

Rumors are already starting to swirl of several possible nominations including last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern (Bob Baffert), Grade 1 winning mare Warren’s Veneda (Craig Lewis), graded-stakes placed Sammy Mandeville (Doug O’Neill) and recently-purchased Emerald Downs runner Prohibition (Vann Belvoir).

Nominations close for The Mile close Sunday, Aug. 2 and entries will close at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Inaugural Scottish Day on Sunday

Grab your kilt and celebrate the great country that gave us haggis and scotch.

Gates open approximately 30 minutes before the first simulcast race, with EmD post time of 2 p.m.

Free admission to those wearing authentic tartan kilts.

Adding a Scottish flair to the day will be Clan Gordon Pipe Band, along with adorable Aberdeen Scottish Terriers. Pony rides and bounce houses in the park as well.

Also on tap for Scottish day is Scotch Tasting in the Park. For $75 you get: Scotch-tasting six half-ounce pours (three ounces total); admission to a grandstand seat; official track program; and a Glen Cairn souvenir scotch glass from Scotch and Vine

Scotch and Cigar Tasting for $150: Six half-ounce pours; five premium cigars; admission to a grandstand seat; official track program; and a Glen Cairn souvenir scotch glass from Scotch and Vine.

Contact group events for tickets at 253-288-7700 or groupevents@emeralddowns.com

Finish lines

Weekly Honors #15 – Jockey: Jennifer Whitaker; Trainer: Manny Ortiz; Owner: Carol Dronen; Groom: Ladislao Caro (Blaine Wright); WTBOA Washington-bred – My Heart Goes On (Coal Creek Farm); Exercise Rider – Jose Saldivar. … Congraulations to jockey Joe Steiner and his wife Dagmar for the birth of their son Jonah Wednesday morning. Steiner, fourth in the standings with 29 wins, leads all riders in Gary Dougherty’s Betting Rank system. The Betting Rank is based on $2 win pays, win percentage and number of starters. … In the jockeys’ standings, Julien Couton holds a 62-to-51 advantage over 2012 riding champ Juan Gutierrez. Defending champion Leslie Mawing sits third with 49 wins. … Speaking of jockeys, Debbie Hoonan competes in her first Thoroughbred event at Emerald Downs, where she’ll ride in Saturday’s fourth race aboard Dehere Is Gone. Her last mount at Emerald Downs came aboard Strawberry Dawn in the Gottstein Futurity on September 29, 2013. Incidentally, Hoonan will reunite with Strawberry Dawn in Sunday’s fourth race. Hoonan, the second all-time leading woman rider with 426 Thoroughbred wins, did have two Quarter Horse mounts last Sunday. … On the trainer’s side, two-time defending champ Jeff Metz continues to extend his lead. His three wins last week puts him at 35 for the season and 14 ahead of Frank Lucarelli in second. Howard Belvoir, tied for third with Blaine Wright at 20 wins, is just two wins shy of 2,000 for his career. …

Saturday’s third race – a maiden allowance for 2-year-old fillies – features the unveiling of several regally-bred runners. Kentucky-bred Say It Slow (by Haynesfield – Chit Chatter ) is a half-sister to multiple graded-stakes winner I’m a Chatterbox , Washington-bred It’s My Knight (by Yes It’s True – Knight Raider ) is the first foal out of 2009 Top 2-Year-Old Filly Knight Raider and Kentucky-bred Sensible (by Street Sense – Point of Reference ) is the first foal out of 2011 Top Older Female Point of Reference. … Sunday’s third race is the meet’s first 2-year-old winners race and includes Emerald Express runner-up Gold Rush Dancer and Hey Ez Money, who’s 65 Beyer Speed Figure is the highest among juveniles this season. Also on Sunday, the state’s most prolific broodmare Peaceful Wings sends out another runner on Sunday. The Boss is Back, related to four stakes winners including last year’s Emerald Downs Derby winner Mebossman, looks to keep his dam’s perfect starter-to-winner ratio intact. To date, Peaceful Wings has produced an astounding 14 winners out of 14 starters in her broodmare career. … Emerald Racing Club and its 187 owners will be back at it again on Saturday when their 4-year-old Tribal Waters takes on five others in the ninth and feature race. Dancing Yodeler, Emerald Racing Club’s original racehorse, will have his retirement ceremony on Saturday and will parade out to the winner’s circle between races three and four. … In an effort to raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund, Emerald Downs will host a photo shoot throughout the racecard Saturday where race fans can take a “selfie” with jockeys for a $5 donation.