New four-stakes series seeks corporate funds

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Hastings has added four stakes races to its previously released stakes schedule. The four races, with a total of $195,000 in purses, have been dubbed the Corporate Series. Hastings is actively seeking corporate sponsorship for the races.

The first, second, and fourth races of the series will carry $40,000 purses, with the third worth $75,000. Three-year-old fillies start the series June 17, and older fillies and mares will run July 30. Three-year-olds and up will run on July 31, with 3-year-olds going Aug. 14.

"We're hoping to fill the void for open horses," said Lorne Mitchell, racing secretary at Hastings. "New money came available, and we thought the additional stakes would enhance the stakes schedule."

Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, which owns Hastings, is putting up an additional $1.5 million to this year's purse account.