STEVIE’S SONG surged clear in race 1 at Hastings Racecourse May 3 to become the first Thoroughbred winner in Canada of 2021. The 5-year-old BC-bred mare by Storm Victory was odds-on in her first race since Oct. 1 for MJD Stables and trainer Demetris Topouzis and kicked off a seven-race card for the first Thoroughbred track to begin its season this year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to rage on a year (plus) after horse racing was halted worldwide for several months and once again, racing has been negatively affected in 2021. While Assiniboia Downs is expected to begin its meet May 7 and Century Mile soon after, Woodbine Racetrack in Rexdale, ON remains on hold with no date for start-up in sight.

And Canadian horse racing fans greeted Hastings racing with enthusiasm, betting over $891,000 on the evening, up 77% from opening day one year ago.

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