Our Emerald Downs Super Stakes Day picks for Sunday, June 21, 2026, focus on one of the biggest early-season programs of the meet. Emerald Downs is promoting the card as Father’s Day / Super Stakes Day, with four stakes races anchoring the afternoon: the Seattle Stakes, Auburn Stakes, Hastings Stakes, and Budweiser Stakes.
First post is scheduled for 1:50 PM PT, and this card represents the first major stakes program of the Emerald Downs season. The championship day still comes later in August with the Longacres Mile Stakes, but this is the first true measuring stick for many of the top local divisions.
Below, we break down the full card using the Today’s Racing Digest race analysis, pace notes, contender rankings, and wagering strategy.
Emerald Downs Super Stakes Day Overview
The main theme is simple: speed matters. Emerald Downs dirt races, especially the sprint races, continue to reward horses that can break running, hold position, and avoid being left with too much to do. That does not mean every frontrunner wins, but it does mean deep closers need help.
Digest Pro Tip: When the Track Profile points toward speed or pressers, we want contenders who fit the race shape, not just horses with attractive late-running lines.
Race 1 – Baby Filly Sprint Analysis
Top Choice: Make Mo Mine
This opening baby filly dash leans heavily toward speed and debut readiness. In these short Emerald Downs dirt races, the filly who breaks cleanly and gets involved early often controls the outcome.
Make Mo Mine gets the call. The barn is strong, the recent gate work is sharp enough, and the Castellanos-Wenzel combination gives this debut runner the right look. She does not need to be spectacular. She needs to break, show speed, and keep going.
Main Threats: Playa Luna and Twitching
Playa Luna is the obvious stablemate danger. She has a similar profile and enough gate work to be involved immediately. Twitching looks like the best of the Lucarelli group, with steady drills and a rider-trainer team that can win locally.
Longshot Play: Eileen
Eileen has enough work quality to matter at a price. The barn does not dominate first out, but the gate move hints that she can leave there running.
Betting Takeaway
We want the Wenzel pair on top, with Twitching used prominently and Eileen as the price horse underneath.
Race 2 – Six-Furlong NW2L Claimer
Top Choice: Calmcoolncollected
Calmcoolncollected has done almost everything right at this level. He just missed twice, owns the best current figures in the field, and draws outside the other pace players. That gives Amador options.
Main Threats: Yeti Lute and Little to No Money
Yeti Lute is the main pace danger and exits the same kind of race that makes him a logical contender again. Little to No Money drops from tougher company and should be involved early from the rail.
Longshot Play: Whiskeythenwine
Whiskeythenwine is not as quick early, but that might help if the race heats up. He has enough finish to pick up pieces if the main speeds overdo it.
Betting Takeaway
Calmcoolncollected is one of the cleaner win candidates on the card. We are building around him while respecting Yeti Lute and Little to No Money.
Race 3 – Maiden Sprint Analysis
Top Choice: Three Putt
Three Putt exits the right race and ran well in his local return. He sat close, finished with purpose, and now gets the second-off-the-layoff angle. That combination fits this field.
Main Threats: Tiz Dynamic and Haka
Tiz Dynamic is dangerous because he is the main speed. His last race was better than it looks after a rough beginning. Haka is the late-running threat and can improve second off the bench.
Longshot Play: Stratojet
Stratojet is the live firster. First Lasix, a sharp work pattern, and a capable barn make him the kind of debut runner who can outrun his price.
Betting Takeaway
Three Putt is the most reliable option, but Tiz Dynamic’s pace role makes him a must-use.
Race 4 – $8,000 Claiming Route
Top Choice: My Vino
My Vino comes into this race in the right form. He rallied well at this level last time and had won his previous two dirt starts. The inside draw should let him save ground before tipping out.
Main Threats: Benny Buckets and Jullian in Paris
Benny Buckets fits the race shape better than his last finish suggests. His pressing style is exactly what tends to work in this kind of Emerald route. Jullian in Paris is logical on form, but his late-running style is the concern.
Longshot Play: Bak to Liberty
Bak to Liberty has a layoff to overcome, but the barn can get one ready and his better route races give him a puncher’s chance.
Betting Takeaway
My Vino is the right blend of form, trip, and class. Benny Buckets is the danger if he rebounds.
Race 5 – Route Race Analysis
Top Choice: Adios Jojo
Adios Jojo has already shown he fits this class and this track. He won at this level and came back with another strong try after doing the pace work. From the rail, he should make his own trip.
Main Threats: Atmospheric River and Seas of Normandy
Atmospheric River has route form that says the distance is within reach, and his sprint win gives him current sharpness. Seas of Normandy has comparable route form and enough tactical speed to avoid being left too far back.
Longshot Play: Jin Tong
Jin Tong has the late kick, but the race shape and track profile do not help him. He needs the speeds to soften each other.
Betting Takeaway
Adios Jojo gets the nod because he controls his own trip. We prefer him over the closers in this setup.
Race 6 – Local Sprint Feature
Top Choice: Si That Tiger
Si That Tiger is the horse everybody has to beat. He beat many of these in the common race, did it on the engine, and owns a tremendous local record. His Emerald Downs profile is simply stronger than the rest.
Main Threats: Baladi and Executive Chef
Baladi is the late danger if the favorite gets softened up. Executive Chef is a proven local runner who fits underneath and can threaten with the right stalking trip.
Longshot Play: Tax Code
Tax Code gives the Wright barn another usable option and should get a sensible stalking trip behind the main speed.
Betting Takeaway
Si That Tiger is the most likely winner. If he runs his race, the others are chasing minor awards.
Race 7 – Hastings Stakes Picks
Top Choice: Aloha Breeze
The Hastings Stakes looks like Aloha Breeze’s race to lose. She has speed, proven class, and a strong local record. Emerald dirt sprints favor her running style, and if she clears without serious pressure, she may never come back.
Main Threats: Saleen G T and Sharp Ride
Saleen G T owns the best closing punch in the race and can make things interesting late. Sharp Ride has won three of her last four dirt starts and enters in sharp form.
Longshot Play: Ima Margarita Girl
Ima Margarita Girl has enough speed to stay involved early and enough Turf Paradise form to be considered at a price.
Betting Takeaway
Aloha Breeze is the key horse in the Hastings. We respect Saleen G T late, but the race shape favors the favorite.
Race 8 – Budweiser Stakes Picks
Top Choice: Ole’s Surprise
Ole’s Surprise has done very little wrong locally. He can press, finish, and adapt to the pace. That versatility makes him the right horse in a compact stakes field where position matters.
Main Threats: Now Cato and Crossbone
Now Cato already proved he belongs with this type and fought hard in his most recent stakes try. Crossbone exits a sharp local win and can threaten if he gets another honest setup.
Longshot Play: Chase
Chase has speed, the rail, and a local win. The class jump is real, but the profile gives him a chance to stick around at a price.
Betting Takeaway
Ole’s Surprise owns the strongest current local sprint profile. He is the preferred win play in the Budweiser Stakes.
Race 9 – Auburn Stakes Picks
Top Choice: Subtle Shimmer
Subtle Shimmer is already proven at this class, trip, and track. She won at this level and came right back with a good second. She does not need the lead, and that gives her a tactical advantage in a race that could become tricky.
Main Threats: Alluring Valentine and Bewitching Joy
Alluring Valentine was game through the lane last time and nearly stole it after doing work early. Bewitching Joy loves this track and brings a strong local record, though she may need more pace help than she gets.
Longshot Play: Falling Leaves
Falling Leaves is the pace wildcard. She has sharp local works and enough speed to get brave if the front end holds better than expected.
Betting Takeaway
Subtle Shimmer is the most dependable filly in the Auburn Stakes. We will use Alluring Valentine and Bewitching Joy as the main dangers, with Falling Leaves as the price spice.
Race 10 – Maiden Claiming Sprint
Top Choice: Doyou Hearyourself
Doyou Hearyourself already ran the best race in the field. She broke a bit rough in her debut, came running, and now gets natural second-start improvement. That makes her the one to beat.
Main Threats: Roxie’s Secret and Circle of Fire
Roxie’s Secret is the pace danger and has been caught late twice. Circle of Fire owns one of the better late runs in the race and becomes dangerous if the top pair hook up.
Longshot Play: Denada
Denada has a runner-up finish two back that makes her usable, and her stalking style fits the Emerald Downs sprint profile.
Betting Takeaway
Doyou Hearyourself is the right top pick. Roxie’s Secret is the main danger if she gets loose early.
Best Bets for Emerald Downs Super Stakes Day
- Best Bet: Calmcoolncollected – Race 2
- Most Likely Winner: Si That Tiger – Race 6
- Best Stakes Play: Aloha Breeze – Hastings Stakes
- Best Value Stakes Play: Subtle Shimmer – Auburn Stakes
- Live Longshot: Stratojet – Race 3
How to Bet the Card
This is not a card where we want to blindly chase closers. Emerald Downs dirt races continue to reward horses with tactical speed, especially in sprints. That makes horses such as Aloha Breeze, Si That Tiger, Ole’s Surprise, and Calmcoolncollected especially important.
Bettor’s Edge: In multi-race wagers, do not treat every top choice the same. Si That Tiger and Calmcoolncollected are stronger anchors. Races with first-time starters or pace uncertainty require wider coverage.
Final Thoughts on Emerald Downs Super Stakes Day
Emerald Downs Super Stakes Day gives bettors the first major stakes showcase of the 2026 meet. The Seattle Stakes, Auburn Stakes, Hastings Stakes, and Budweiser Stakes form a strong four-stakes program, and the supporting races provide several clear betting opinions.
Our strongest stance is that the card favors horses with early position and proven local form. That is why Aloha Breeze, Si That Tiger, Ole’s Surprise, Subtle Shimmer, and Calmcoolncollected all land prominently in the Today’s Racing Digest selections.
Get your Digest for Emerald Downs here: Complete Digest.