One of the richest and most exciting stakes schedules ever presented at Hastings Racecourse launches with the Sir Winston Churchill and Brighouse Belles on opening day, Sunday, April 17.
The two $35,000 Allowance Stakes mark the beginning of a 41-stake schedule with purses totalling $2.6 million over the course of the 2016 season, up $100,000 compared to last year.
“The fact we were able to increase purses in some races for older horses means a better product for the wagering public,” said Darren MacDonald, Hastings General Manager and Director, BC Racing. “We have also worked together with Emerald Downs to stagger our schedules, giving horsemen in the Pacific Northwest more opportunities to participate in stake races.”
MacDonald noted that there will be 10 stakes at Hastings this year with purses of $75,000 for three-year-olds & up, beginning with the Longden 6000 and Strawberry Morn on Saturday, June 4.
“We’re very excited about coordinating our stakes schedules with Hastings Racecourse in 2016,” said Phil Ziegler, Emerald Downs President. “This will give our owners and trainers more opportunities plus it will help attract more stakes horses to both tracks.”
The complete 2016 schedule at Hastings encompasses 53 race days from April 17 through Oct. 16. On 14 of those dates there are stake races, including holiday cards on Canada Day (Friday, July 1), BC Day (Monday, Aug. 1) and Thanksgiving Day (Monday, Oct. 10).
Two of the four stake races on Canada Day – the Lt. Governors and Monashee – have increased purses of $75,000 with the Supernaturel and Chris Loseth remaining at $50,000.
BC Cup Day will have seven stake races on the Aug. 1 program with the B.C. bred or B.C. owned Classic and Distaff offering purses of $75,000, both sponsored by Pacific Customs Brokers. The Debutante and Nursery have been written as B.C.bred or B.C. owned.
The jewel of stakes attractions at Hastings – BC Derby/Oaks Day – goes Saturday, Sept. 10. The Grade 3 Derby ($150,000) for 3-year-olds is traditionally the main attraction, supported by the Oaks ($100,000), the S.W. Randall Plate and Delta Colleen, each with increased purses of $75,000.
The $100,000 Sadie and Jack Diamond Futurities are set for Sunday, Sept. 18, followed by two more Grade 3 stakes with $100,000 purses: the
Premiers and Ballerina on Saturday, Oct. 1, supported by a pair of $50,000 CTHS Sales Allowance Stakes.
Thanksgiving Monday on Oct. 10 features a pair of $75,000 stakes for two-year-olds: the Fantasy and Ascot Graduation.
The 2016 stakes schedule concludes with the BC Cup Classic and Distaff for B.C.-breds, both with $50,000 purses, on closing day, Sunday, Oct. 16.
The entire 2016 Hastings Racecourse Stakes Schedule is available at www.hastingsracecourse.com
FINISH LINES: MacDonald says there will be further initiatives between Hastings and Emerald Downs introduced prior to the start of the thoroughbred season April 17 …
The backstretch at Hastings will open on Saturday, Jan. 30 for setting up stalls. Horses will be allowed to arrive on Monday, Feb. 1 with the track opening for training on Wednesday, Feb. 3 …
The Hastings Paddock Sale is set for Saturday, March 26 in the paddock area. Entry forms and further details are available at www.hastingshorsesale.com.
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