After rough winter, Hastings pushes opening day to May 4

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Opening day at Hastings Racecourse has been moved from April 20 to May 4. The 51-day meet also will close a week later than originally scheduled, with the final day now set for Oct. 27. The changes are due to the track not being open for training due to extremely cold weather in February.

”Excessive February freezing temperatures in Vancouver limited our opportunities to train at Hastings,” said Darren MacDonald, regional director of British Columbia Racing.

“It was the right move for the horses and the patrons,” said Dave Milburn, local HBPA president. “We missed a significant amount of training. We don’t want to push the horses to be ready, and we want to open the meet with strong cards.”

Because of the scheduling change there will be four $50,000 stakes on opening day – the Swift Thoroughbred Inaugural for 3-year-olds and up, Brighouse Belles for fillies and mares, Jim Coleman Province for 3-year-olds, and Ross McLeod for 3-year-old fillies.

The highlight of the meet is the Grade 3, $250,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 7. Peter Redekop, who owns Kentucky Derby hopeful Anothertwistafate, donated $100,000 to the purse of the Derby.

Is there another Victress in the fourth annual CTHS Horses of Racing Age sale that will be held in the paddock at Hastings on March 16? Purchased by Rob and Victoria Gilker for $3,500 out of the inaugural sale in 2016, Victress won the Grade 3 Ballerina last year and retired with $271,540 in earnings. She was bought back by her breeder, Judy Hicks, for $200,000 out of the Fasig-Tipton Winter mixed sale.

There are 31 horses cataloged for the sale.

The cold weather in the Pacific Northwest also hit Emerald Downs, but the Auburn track is on schedule to open April 20.

“We have 572 horses on the ground as of Wednesday morning, roughly the same as last year,” said Vince Bruun, director of media relations for Emerald. “Not bad considering the incredible weather we had in February.”

Riser, who prior to being injured dominated the older horse division last year, is among the horses currently in training. The Blaine Wright-trained 5-year-old has not raced since he won the Mount Rainier at Emerald on July 15.

Barkley, trained by Howard Belvoir, also is in training and is gearing up to defend his win in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile.

The Mile is the premier race at Emerald. It is scheduled for Aug. 11.