With more than 300 thoroughbreds galloping in the early morning mist, the backstretch at Hastings Racecourse these days has taken on the look of a bustling community at the break of dawn.
Under constant surveillance of owners, trainers, jockeys and gallop riders, the horses appear from their stalls in an orderly fashion to begin exercising in preparation for the 2016 live racing season that launches Sunday, April 17 featuring two $50,000 stakes: the Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural and the Brighouse Belles.
Clockers arrive on the scene Tuesday, March 1 to begin recording workout times and on Thursday, March 10 the starting gate will be rolled out for gate training Thursdays through Sundays.
“It’s an exciting time of the year,” says Racing Operations Manager Joe Gray. “We’re all looking forward to a banner season.”
Hastings Racecourse General Manager Darren MacDonald has had a busy off-season working closely with horsemen on several new concepts and initiatives.
He is particularly pleased with the progress of the Hastings Paddock Horse Sale that takes place on Saturday, March 26. Under the direction of Sales Manager Mike Heads, two-year-olds and horses of racing age will be part of the auction, including some purchased by the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (HBPA) and B.C. Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association (BCTOBA).
“All horsemen are invited to enter a horse in the sale,” Heads says. “The whole idea is to keep as many horses in B.C. as we can, giving breeders a second chance to sell their product that might have been scratched or didn’t sell at the 2015 CTHS Yearling Sale last September.”
Heads and track announcer Dan Jukich will host a special Preview Day on March 19 open to the public at Hastings Racecourse. Further information is available at www.hastingshorsesale.com
HASTINGS & EMERALD DOWNS INTRODUCE BONUS FEATURE
MacDonald, in concert with Emerald Downs Director of Racing Bret Anderson, announced a new bonus structure for horses that win both of their respective track’s signature races for 3-year-olds in 2016.
“If the same horse wins the Emerald Downs Derby (July 13) and our BC Derby (Sept. 13) there will be a $25,000 (Cdn.) bonus awarded,” MacDonald said. “The same $25,000 bonus applies if the winning connections sweep the Washington Oaks (July 24) and our BC Oaks (Sept. 10).
“It’s a continuation of the hands-across-the-border synergy our racing industry has been developing with Emerald Downs. Having the best horses in the Pacific Northwest running in our marquee races is great for the industry. I can’t thank enough the HBPA, TOBA and CTHS for their efforts.”
MacDonald also announced that four stakes races at Hastings will be restricted this year to BC-bred or BC-sired and Washington-bred or Washington-sired 3-year-olds. The four stakes are the BC Cup Stellar’s Jay and BC Cup Dogwood on August 1 as well as the BC Cup Classic and BC Cup Distaff on October 16.
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