Dori Monson gets fashion advice before Emerald Downs’ opening weekend

It was a peek into a profitable corner of Washington’s past.

Emerald Downs’ former owner Ron Crockett visited KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson in the studio Friday to discuss the racetrack’s development and its place in Washington’s recent gaming history.

After gleaning knowledge of horses and tracks from Crockett, Dori tried his best to be cut in on a horse with the big-time better.

“If you wore a suit and tie today I would have considered it, but with the shorts, I’m not sure,” Crockett said behind a laugh.

Dori protested.

“The shorts, that makes me a common person,” Dori said. “A man of the people. Isn’t that what you want? Aren’t you sick of hanging out with your millionaire buddies? Wouldn’t you like to hang out with a schlub talk show host once in a while?”

“Absolutely,” Crockett responded. “But maybe next time, some pleated pants would be nice.”

Crockett partially stepped away from the racetrack’s operations this year after helming the business for a couple of decades.

“I had no idea how much casino gaming would catch on,” Crockett said of the early gaming industry in Washington.