Big fields as shortened meet begins

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Live racing returns Monday at Hastings. The abbreviated 25-day meet runs through Sept. 28. All areas of the facility will be closed to the public.

The meet begins with full fields. Barring scratches and not counting horses on the alsoeligible list, the average field size Monday is 9.0. Most of the races on Tuesday are oversubscribed, with no fewer than 10 horses entered in each race.

Racing will mostly be conducted on Mondays and Tuesdays with post time at 1:15 p.m. Pacific. There are a couple of Wednesday cards on Aug. 5 and Sept. 9. Hastings also is scheduled to run on Kentucky Derby Day on Sept. 5.

The original schedule called for 51 days beginning April 26.

“The abbreviated meet is a response to the pandemic,” said David Milburn, president of the local Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. “We’re fortunate to be able to run at all. The meet is critical to the ongoing sustainability of the industry.”

Milburn said with most of the betting sites across British Columbia closed there has been a substantial jump in wagering in British Columbia at Horse Players Interactive, the internet wagering site for Canada.

“With TVG hopefully carrying us, we are also hoping for a lot of action from the United States,” Milburn said.

“We will greatly miss our ontrack guests,” said Michael Zerebeski, Hastings general manager. “I want to thank everyone, especially the horsemen, that have worked so hard to prepare for the upcoming race meet. With all of the restrictions due to the pandemic it has been a real challenge for everyone.”

Zerebeski is hopeful the casino at Hastings will open soon.

“We’re being patient and working with the government to meet all their demands regarding safety,” Zerebeski said. “We know B.C. is in a real good spot with the pandemic, and understandably they want to keep it that way.”

The stakes schedule took a big hit with the loss of the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby. The richest races are the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity and Sadie Diamond Futurity. They will share the spotlight Sept. 28.

The 14-race stakes schedule, worth a total of $710,000, begins with the $40,000 Chris Loseth for 3-year-olds and up on July 20.

Last year’s co-leading riders, Enrique Gonzalez and Antonio

Reyes, head a strong jockey colony that includes 2018 leading rider Amadeo Perez.

There will be a new leading trainer. Phil Hall, who topped the standings the previous three years, has a string of horses at Woodbine, where he is off to a good start. Through Friday, he had a win and a second from three starters.

The opening-day feature marks the return of Capilano Canyon in a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds and up or British Columbia-bred nonwinners of three. Based on his win going 1 1/16 miles in the $75,000 Ascot Sophomore, Capilano Canyon was voted the champion 2-year-old in the province last year.

Trained by Dave Forster, the British Columbia-bred son of Abraaj romped going 3 1/2 furlongs in his debut, so he can sprint and fire fresh.