Hastings Racecourse returns to live racing schedule today
Track fully operational with 45 race days this season that will stretch into October
Nichelle Milner is glad all the quiet at Hastings Racecourse is coming to an end.
She's the regional manager of racing operations there. Hastings is opening its 2022 live racing schedule today, beginning a 45-race-day slate that runs through October.
It's the first time Hastings has been fully operational in two years. Small crowds were permitted last July, but the majority of racing done the past two seasons was for simulcast with the stands empty.
“I swear, our equine athletes were looking up where the people normally are and were wondering where their adoring fans were,” said Milner, a former jockey as well as a race secretary at Hastings and Fraser Downs.
“The horses respond. They know when they're being cheered. I swore there were some horses who were like, `Where's my fanfare?' The last two years have been surreal. So much goes into putting a race day together and it was always silent. It was really something.”
Opening day features a seven-race card beginning at 2 p.m.
The afternoon will include live coverage of the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs at around 3:55 p.m. on the giant infield video screen. There are wagering facilities available throughout Hastings with free admission for all racing fans.
There will also be a tribute to Glen Todd, the noted breeder, owner and trainer who died in March. He was 75.
In July 2021, Todd extended an interest-free $1-million loan to fund purse money and keep races going while the industry continued to battle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The money was administered by the B.C. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders and the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective associations. None of it went to Great Canadian Casino, which owns Hastings.
Todd was also a key figure in women's softball in this province. He founded the Canada Cup, the international tournament designed to help the Canadian national team.
He spearheaded the building of Softball City, the four-field complex in Surrey where the Canada Cup is held.
“His presence is going to be felt. Glen was such a huge advocate for our B.C. racing industry,” said Milner.
“His shoes cannot be filled. It's a great loss to our industry. But we're very resilient. You pull up your boot straps and you keep moving on. We have to keep going. If you know anything about people in the horse racing industry you know that. And it's exactly what Glen would want.”
Ryan Mccartney, Hastings director of operations, added: “He had been involved in this industry forever. He put in his time and he put in his money just to grow the sport and try to keep it going. He's going to be really sadly missed. I don't know how we're going to fill his shoes.”
There is a strong roster of jockeys ready for the 2022 season, said Milner, with favourites Antonio Reyes (last year's leading rider), Amadeo Perez, Scott Williams, twins Lenny and Learie Seecharan, Silvino Morales and Efrain Hernandez all returning to ride at Hastings.
And Mccartney promises there's a push to “freshen up the site” and make it more social media friendly.
“We're doing some cool stuff up in the grandstand. I'm liking the look of it,” Mccartney said.
“People are going to have a great time Saturday. The racing is going to be great. But when we get all the things done we want to get done, it's going to be even better. It's going to be a really cool spot.”