B.C. BREEDERS’ CUP OAKS & B.C. DERBY HIGHLIGHT A HECTIC HASTINGS WEEKEND

Vancouver, B.C. (Sept. 19/06) – It’s the biggest back-to-back extravaganza on the Hastings Racecourse thoroughbred calendar: the $150,000 British Columbia Breeders’ Cup Oaks Saturday, Sept. 23 followed by the $250,000 British Columbia Derby on Sunday, Sept. 24.

The British Columbia Breeders’ Cup Oaks is also Ladies Day at the Races and Hastings is proud to have as its special guest the lovely and talented Tamara Taggart from CTV Channel 9. Voted three consecutive years as Vancouver’s top television personality, Tamara will decorate the winner of the B.C. Oaks Saturday.

And if the racing analysts are correct, Tamara could be in the winner’s circle with Emerald Downs phenom Chestnut Lady who will be ridden by the leading jockey at Hastings, Pedro Alvarado. Chestnut Lady won the Kent Handicap this year at Emerald Downs by seven lengths and came up short by head to She’s All Silk in the Washington BC Oaks.

The 61st running of the British Columbia Derby on Sunday is shaping up as one of the most competitive ever with 12 starters to be named at the post position draw in the Hastings Racecourse Paddock at noon on Thursday (Sept. 21). The B.C. Derby Garden Party in the George Royal Room at Hastings will be a video showcase of the Derby entries at 7:00 pm on Friday evening.

Woodbine’s leading jockeys - Emma-Jayne Wilson and Justin Stein - have committed to the B.C. Derby with Wilson scheduled to ride Ok Nothanksforaskn and Stein aboard Head Chopper. Stein was the leading apprentice and leading rider at Hastings in 2005. Emma-Jayne Wilson won the Eclipse Award as North America’s leading apprentice last year.

Racing starts both Saturday and Sunday at 1:25 p.m.


For Hastings racing related inquiries: Raj Mutti 604 - 251-0445
For further media inquiries: Howard Blank 604 - 512-6066

HASTINGS ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Hastings Racecourse, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5K 3N8
Tel: (604) 254-1631 – Fax: (604) 251-0411