Owner Peter Redekop has kicked in $100,000 to the purse of the British Columbia Derby at Hastings Racecourse, boosting the value of the race to $250,000, according to a release from Hastings. The Grade 3 B.C. Derby, the richest race at the Vancouver racetrack, will be run for the 74th time on Sept. 7. Redekop, a member of the B.C. Horse Racing Hall of Fame, won the B.C. Derby three consecutive years – in 2012 with Second City, 2013 with Title Contender, and 2014 with Alert Bay. Hastings will have stakes purses totaling $2.27 million at its 2019 meeting, which begins April 21 with the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural and $50,000 Brighouse Belles. They will be the first of 36 stake races over the 52-day racing season, which concludes Oct. 20. :: WIN A TRIP TO THE QUEEN'S PLATE: Click here to cast your vote for the 2018 Horse of the Year contest, and be entered to win a trip for two to the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine!