For the Reporter

A 70-day live racing season – Saturday, April 18, through Sunday, Sept. 27 – has been announced for 2015 at Emerald Downs.

Racing will be on Saturday and Sunday only the first two weeks, with Friday racing beginning May 1 and continuing through the season.

Post time remains 6:45 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Exceptions are 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, and tentative 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 3. Holiday racing is offered Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

The confirmation of live racing dates follows recent announcements of higher purses and horsemen incentives for Emerald Downs.

In December, Emerald Downs announced a 20-percent increase in average daily overnight purses. In January, the track followed with an announcement of horsemen incentives aimed at lowering horsemen’s out of pocket expenses.

The 2015 stakes schedule featuring the 80th running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Grade 3) will be released in February.

The stable area opens Saturday, Jan. 31 and training begins Monday, Feb. 2, allowing horses over 10 weeks to prepare for the season.

Stall applications are available at emeralddowns.com in the horsemen’s section.