Hastings opens April 21 with change to B.C. Cup Day

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The 2018 stakes schedule at Hastings has six fewer stakes than last year and there is a major change to B. C. Cup Day, one of the highlights of the year.

Opening day for the 52-day meet, which runs through Oct. 14, is Saturday, April 21.

The 36-race stakes program worth $2.175 million begins April 22 with the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbred Inaugural for 3-year-olds and up, and the $50,000 Brighouse Belles for fillies and mares.

Originally the races on B. C. Cup Day were restricted to horses bred in British Columbia. For the first time the six $50,000 stakes races will be unrestricted. B.C.-breds will receive a $25,000 bonus for winning a stakes race.

The B. C. Cup Classic, for 3-year-olds and up, anchors the stakes-rich card on Monday, Aug. 6. Supporting the Classic are the Distaff, Nursery, and Debutante, Hong Kong Jockey Club for 3-year-old fillies, and Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial.

The Churchill serves as the final prep for the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby.

The six-stakes Derby card, on Saturday, Sept. 8, is the richest of the season. It includes the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks, $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity, $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity, $50,000 S. W. Randall Plate for 3-year-olds and up, and the $50,000 Delta Colleen for fillies and mares

The Grade 3, $100,000 Premier’s for 3-year-olds and up, and the Grade 3 $100,000 Ballerina for fillies and mares will share the spotlight on Monday, Oct. 8.

The barn area opens Feb. 1 with training beginning Feb. 3.