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     Four runnings of the World-Famous Suicide Race are planned for Aug. 7-10 during the Omak Stampede.
     Pre-race vet checks and practice sessions began in mid-July in anticipation for possible runoff races Sunday, Aug. 3, according to Pete Palmer of the Suicide Race Owners and Jockeys Association.
     A vet check is the first of three tests a horse undergoes for soundness prior to being allowed to compete in the race, she said.
     A veterinarian makes sure a horse is not lame or sore and is in sound condition for the race. Vet checks also are performed before each race during the event, according to Palmer.
     A swim test follows; a horse must demonstrate the ability to swim or cross the river without hesitation or panic.
     Finally, a horse and rider come off the hill, showing that they can run at a steady pace without bucking or turning back at the top.
     Practices start in earnest from 7-9 p.m. July 25-26, with entries being open that Friday, July 25.
     The last day to enter is Sunday, July 27, following practices set for 5-7 p.m.
     Final practices will be 7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, and 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. On Saturday, the practice will run 7-8 p.m., Palmer said.
     An annual owners and jockeys meeting will follow.
     That Saturday also will be the final opportunity for a team to have a horse pass all tests to qualify for racing.      If there are more than 20 entries, elimination races to whittle down the field are planned for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3. There will be a total of $1,000 price money split $500 for each race.
     If no elimination races are needed, there will be a practice race at 3 p.m. Prize money will be available for that race, too.
     A horse is not required to run in the practice race, if one is held, Palmer said.
     A Calcutta for the horses tentatively has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. the first day of Stampede Thursday, Aug. 7.
     Palmer says she expects many returning horses this year, including last year’s champion, Patch, and jockey Aaron Carden.
     During the races, money is paid to the top four finishers along with points. The horse with the most points becomes the overall winner and “King of the Hill,” according to an association race document.
     The overall winning horse receives money, two saddles — one for the rider and one for the horse owner — plus various prizes that usually are donated by families or businesses close to the race tradition.