Emerald sets 2020 meet dates; Hastings extends lease

Emerald Downs will have 63 days of live racing in 2020. The meet begins Saturday, April 18, and concludes Sunday, Sept. 20.

There will be just one day of racing the first weekend. Sundays become part of the regular schedule beginning April 26. Friday evening racing begins May 8.

Post times are similar to last year – first post on Saturday will be 2 p.m. Pacific through June 6; beginning on June 13 it moves to 5 p.m. First post will be 2 p.m. on Sundays and 6:50 p.m. on Fridays throughout the meet.

The stakes highlight is the Grade 3 Longacres Mile, which will be featured on Championship Day, Aug. 9. The 85th running of the Mile will be supported by three stakes. Emerald plans to release the full 2020 stakes schedule in January.

The 2019 Mile was a thriller, with Law Abidin Citizen and Anyportinastorm hooking up early and dueling to the wire. Ridden by Abel Cedillo for trainer Mark Glatt, Law Abidin Citizen got his head down at the right time.

Hastings signs new lease

Horsemen in British Columbia were pleased to hear Great Canadian Gaming Corp., which operates Hastings, has signed a five-year lease extension with the city of Vancouver. Hastings sits on the Pacific National Exhibition grounds, which is owned by the city.

The agreement calls for Hastings to spend money on improving the backstretch. There also is an option to renew the lease for another five years.

“We feel the lease extension is an important stepping-stone to ensuring the sustainability of the industry longer term,” said Raj Mutti, executive vice president operations west for Great Canadian.

The first thing Hastings plans to spend money on is replacing the rail, which has sunk below industry standards in recent years.

“While we haven’t seen the details which compose the lease, five years with an option for another five years is certainly a giant step in the right direction,” said Dave Milburn, president of the local Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. “Congratulations and thanks to all those who worked on and achieved this deal. The new lease provides the Thoroughbred racing industry in B.C. with much needed stability and hope for the future. We can continue to grow from here.”

Dates for the 2020 meet are pending.