Start of Training Season at Emerald Downs

On Monday at the famed Emerald Downs racetrack in Washington state, the first day of spring training for Thoroughbreds kicked off. Trainers, including Vince Gibson, who was working with his horse Secret Hottie, began preparing the horses for the upcoming season. Most horses that were turned out for the winter will need about 60 days of intensive training before they are ready for the official season opener scheduled for May 2.

A rider leads a young horse onto the track at Emerald Downs in Auburn on the first day of the 2026 training season, March 2 — a clear day with Mount Rainier watching over everything. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)

Trainer Vince Gibson tends to one of his horses, Secret Hottie, while horses wait in their stalls at Emerald Downs on Monday, the track’s opening day for the first day of training. Most horses that didn’t work over the winter need about 60 days of training before the official season start on May 2. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)

As trainers, jockeys and others look on, Aloha Breeze, Emerald Downs’ 2025 Horse of the Year, ridden by exercise rider Juan Madrigal, finishes a lap around the track as the ceremonial first horse on the track on the first day of the 2026 training season at Emerald Downs. Aloha Breeze, a six-year-old mare, is owned by Dr. George Todaro of Seattle and trained by Tom Zenzel. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)

Ice Tower, one of many horses trained by Vince Gibson, bides its time waiting with other horses in the stalls for its turn to go out and train at Emerald Downs on March 2, 2026. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)

After Aloha Breeze, Emerald Downs’ 2025 Horse of the Year, circled the track as the ceremonial first horse on the first day of training at Emerald Downs for the 2026 season, it was hosed down and then covered by groom Fernando Ochoa. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)

Aloha Breeze cools off on a mechanical walker after running around the track as the ceremonial first horse on the first day of training at Emerald Downs for the 2026 season, March 2. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)

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Based on: Sun, speed and Aloha Breeze: First training day at Emerald Downs