BC DERBY DAY ON TRACK TO DRAW A HUGE CROWD AT HASTINGS RACECOURSE SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Vancouver, BC – With a rare ‘Free Admission” policy in today’s sports and entertainment circles, it is impossible for management at Hastings Racecourse to estimate attendance figures.

But with Saturday’s 76th running of the Grade 3, $125,000 BC Derby, Director of Operations Ryan McCartney is confidently forecasting one of the largest Hastings gatherings in recent local thoroughbred racing history.

“All of our guest patios, private boxes and event spaces are completely sold out,” McCartney says.  “The BC Derby and BC Oaks have traditionally been premier events during the racing season and with fantastic weather forecasted, we’re expecting a huge, happy crowd.”

Even retired BC Horse Racing Hall of Fame jockey Richard Hamel – a three-time BC Derby winner during his illustrious career – had to scramble to arrange a location for Saturday’s card. As part of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Jockey Club of Canada, Hamel is hosting a group of former Hastings’ riders and had to settle for sharing the Jack Short Media Lounge high above track level.

The six-horse BC Derby, race number eight on a bountiful nine-race card with a 5:40 p.m. PDT start, is being referred to by a panel of Hastings’ handicapping experts as “wide open with no clear favourite”. That theory surfaced when Canadian Derby winner Abeliefinthislivin, trained by Hastings’ leading trainer Barbara Heads and owned by Peter Redekop, pulled out due to a foot injury.

The Canadian Derby at Century Mile on August 26 was the second leg of this year’s new Western Canadian Triple Crown that wraps up with Saturday’s BC Derby. Winner of the Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs August 7 was 15-1 long shot Mano Dura.

The Emerald Downs invader, Jamies Inheritance, a three-length winner over Air Force in the Century Mile Casino Oaks August 26, is the early favourite to win the 57th running of the $75,000 BC Oaks for three-year-old fillies, with Air Force considered a serious threat.  Jamies Inheritance also won the Washington Oaks.

Saturday’s card also includes the $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity and the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity. The $20,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 will cover races 6 thru 9. Watch for special offers on HPIbet.com, Xpressbet, 1/ST Bet and Twinspires.com.  Start time Saturday is 2 p.m. PDT / 5 p.m. EDT.