For the Reporter

Even a steady rainfall couldn’t dampen the spirits last Friday as Emerald Downs opened its 18th season of live racing with an eight-race card under the lights.

It was the first of 75 live racing days in 2013.

In the feature race for older fillies and mares, Stephanie Plum overtook odds-on favorite Way to Go Lo into the lane and held off long shot Jadey Baby for a 1½-length victory in 1:03.38 for 5½ furlongs on a sloppy track.

Racing on Friday begins with at 6:45 p.m. A full card of Thoroughbred racing is on tap for Saturday and Sunday, with first post at 2 p.m. both days.