Members of NVC and other community members recently enjoyed an excellent opportunity to visit Emerald Downs and get to know the close-knit racing community. The event was hosted by Howard Belvoir (a horse trainer at Rising Star Stables) and Sally and Joe Steiner (owners of Quarter Chute Café) to reach-out to the Seattle’s Japanese business and cultural community. The tour was guided by Vicki Potter, Rob Miyahara, his wife Theresa Miyahara, and Keith Yamaguchi. The Seattle Japanese delegation included Seattle Japan Consul General Inagaki and wife Yuki, Deputy Consul General Sumi, Japan Business Association members and family members, and Bellevue Children’s Academy members and family. 
Although Japanese horse racing activities are ratcheting up in popularity, the participants were new to an American horse racing venue like Emerald Downs. Of course, the “best breakfast in town” at Quarter Chute Café was a treat. We enjoyed a memorable tour of the clean and well-maintained barn, as well as the acceptance of visitors bearing peppermint candy treats by all the elite and beautiful racehorses.
Thank you’s were exchanged at the end. No one wanted to end the tour, but each one promised to come back.
