Title Contender returns to sprinting in George Royal

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – When the live Thoroughbred season begins at Hastings on Sunday, it will mark the 125th anniversary of horse racing in Vancouver. The first Thoroughbred race in Vancouver was dubbed the Vancouver City Stakes, and it was reportedly won by Mayflower, who earned $250. The race was held in 1889 in downtown Vancouver on Howe Street. Originally called East Park, Hastings opened for business the same year and is considered Vancouver’s longest continuously used professional sports facility.

Sunday’s opening-day card features the $50,000 George Royal for 3-year-olds and up and the $50,000 Brighouse Belles for fillies and mares. Both races will be contested at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Post time for the first of eight races is 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

There are 51 days scheduled, with the meet possibly closing on Oct. 13. However, if business warrants it, another four days will be added and the final day could be Oct. 26.

The most important race at Hastings is the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby, which will headline four stakes races including the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks on Sept. 14.

B.C. Cup Day, the second-biggest day of the year, is slated for Monday, Aug. 4. Headed by the $75,000 B.C. Cup Classic for 3-year-olds and up, B.C. Cup Day features seven stakes races restricted to British Columbia-breds. The unrestricted $32,000 Dave Forster for 3-year-olds and up also will be part of the card. The Forster is one of 13 new $32,000 stakes races that are named after British Columbia Horse Racing Hall of Fame members. The veteran trainer, who will soon be 78, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002. He is well represented in the George Royal with Grade 3 winner Senor Rojo, and in the Brighouse Belles with Madeira Park, who won the Grade 3 Ballerina on closing day last year.

The Ballerina will be part of a strong Oct. 13 card that includes the Grade 3, $100,000 Premier’s for 3-year-olds and up, the $75,000 Fantasy for 2-year-old fillies, and the $75,000 Ascot Graduation for 2-year-olds.

Trainer Anita Bolton likes the way Title Contender is coming up to the George Royal, which will be his first start since he finished second to Commander in the Grade 3 Premier’s on Oct. 14. Title Contender won the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby prior to his big effort in the Premier’s. Owned by Peter Redekop, who was inducted into the local Hall of Fame last fall, Title Contender also won the Grade 3 Ohio Derby prior to being purchased by Redekop.

“He’s doing real well, but he’s never won sprinting,” Bolton said. “Hopefully that will change on Sunday.”

Title Contender will be ridden by Rico Walcott.

Golden Triumph could be dangerous if he gets a clear lead early.

Success Rate is coming off a second in a $62,500 optional-claiming race at Golden Gate, and as the only horse with a race this year he could have a slight fitness edge.

Hollywood Miss looks like the one to beat in the Brighouse Belles.

Trained by Troy Taylor, Hollywood Miss earned a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure in a one-mile, $62,500 optional-claiming race at Golden Gate on March 16. She won a first-level allowance race going 5 1/2 furlongs in her previous start.

Aaron Gryder rides Hollywood Miss.

◗ Following the first race on Sunday, Hastings will hold a memorial ceremony for Melanie Walters, who died from injuries caused by a training accident at her parents’ farm in Langley, British Columbia. Walters, 37, was just starting to make her mark as a trainer with 15 wins from 58 starts last year.

◗ The third race is named the Patti Tubbs Sovereign Purse. Tubbs will be honored for winning the Sovereign Award in the photography media category. Her winning photo captured the look of joy displayed by muddy-faced jockey Frank Fuentes following a win at Hastings last year.