It has been quiet out in British Columbia since horses were allowed back on the Hastings Racecourse backstretch on May 1 (horses had shipped in earlier, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic had to leave the track).
But an opening day has finally been announced, Monday July 6, subject to approval from the British Columbia Horse Racing Industry Management Committee GPEB (Gambling Policy and Enforcement Branch) and the Health Department for Final Approval. More at the BC HBPA site.
Racing is scheduled to be held Mondays and Tuesday and 25 dates are set through September 28. No spectators will be allowed.
This is half of the dates originally scheduled for the Vancouver track, which was originally scheduled to run April 28 through late October.
And the track’s biggest race, the Grade 3, $250,000 British Columbia Derby, is not on the re-vamped stakes schedule (see below).
Entry day will be on Thursdays for both racing days which are Monday and Tuesday with the first post time at 1:15pm.
Training and workouts has been continuing since May and owners are allowed to watch horses train on the grandstand side of the track (no backstretch admittance) while adhering to social distancing protocols.
The CTHS Yearling Sale is scheduled for September 8.
The CTHS Breeders’ Incentive Program, introduced to try and help alleviate some of the pain currently being endured by breeders in the region during these difficult times, was very well received, with 190 applications made to the CTHS by the June 1st deadline.
NEW STAKES SCHEDULE – HASTINGS RACECOURSE
DATE STAKE PURSE CATEGORY DIST
Jul-20 CHRIS LOSETH $40,000 3 YR OLDS 6.5
Jul-21 SUPERNATURAL $40,000 3 YR FILLIES 6.5
Aug-04 MONASHEE $40,000 3 &UP F&M 6.5
Aug-05 LT. GOVERNORS $40,000 3 & UP 6.5
Aug-10 HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB $50,000 3 YR FILLIES 8.5
Aug-11 SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL $50,000 3 YR OLDS 8.5
Sep-05 CTHS SALE STAKE $50,000 3 & 4 YR OLDS 8.5
Sep-05 CTHS SALE STAKE $50,000 3 & 4 FILLIES 8.5
Sep-05 CTHS SALE STAKE $50,000 2 YR OLDS 6.5
Sep-05 CTHS SALE STAKE $50,000 2 YR OLD FILLIES 6.5
Sep-28 SADIE DIAMOND FUTURITY $100,000 2 YR OLD FILLIES 6.5
Sep-28 JACK DIAMOND FUTURITY $100,000 2 YR OLDS 6.5
Sep-28 S.W. RANDALL PLATE $50,000 3 & UP 8.5
Sep-28 DELTA COLLEEN $50,000 3 &UP F&M 8.5
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