For the Reporter

Breakfast at the Wire – where fans can enjoy a leisurely breakfast while watching Thoroughbreds training – returns for a third season beginning Saturday and continuing through Aug. 27.

The show runs from 8 to 10 a.m. ajacent to the finish line in front of Trackside Deli, where the public can view more than 1,000 horses racing and training at the track. Entry is through the Paddock Gate.

The $6 breakfast features a choice of scrambled eggs, bacon and hash browns, or scrambled eggs with biscuits and gravy, along with giant cinnamon rolls by Alki Bakery and gourmet coffee from Rad Roasting Company. The cost includes free parking and free entry to the track.

Hosted for a third straight year by Dean Mazzuca, Breakfast at the Wire 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. Impromptu visitors – like Larry Ross pointing out Longacres Mile winner Stryker Phd or Howard Belvoir identifying Barkley – also are regular features of Breakfast at the Wire.

Vicki Potter of Emerald Downs group sales has overseen Breakfast at the Wire since its inception, following the lead of Santa Anita’s famous Clockers’ Corner, where for decades fans have mingled with famous jockeys and trainers while enjoying a good breakfast.

“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 racing,” Potter said.

Here are just a few of last year’s guests: Longacres Mile winning jockeys Leslie Mawing, Gallyn Mitchell and Jennifer Whitaker; trainers Howard Belvoir, Frank Lucarelli, Jeff Metz, Vann Belvoir and Sharon Ross; and track officials Phil Ziegler, Joe Withee and Bob Fraser.