Vancouver, B.C. (Sept. 1/17) – Remember the “good ol’ days” in the 1980’s when going to a movie theatre cost $3 and you could dive into a big bag popcorn for 50 cents? A gallon of gasoline cost 59 cents; postage stamps were 13 cents and the average price of a new car was $7,200.

It was also a time when mid-week live thoroughbred racing was the norm at Hastings Racecourse.

With those wonderful memories in mind, a rare Wednesday evening seven-race card at Hastings is on the agenda next week (September 6) for a special “Throwback Race Night” saluting the 80’s & 90’s.

Soft drinks for a buck; $2.00 hot dogs; $4.00 burger; $1.00 racing programs and nostalgic music blasting between races will create the perfect ‘Throwback’ theme.

For those patrons who might prefer a more relaxed setting, Hastings’ creative Food & Beverage Manager Chris Bannister has put together a 1980’s-90’s-themed buffet in Silks Restaurant available at the ‘Throwback’ price of … wait for it … $19.80!

“Because we haven’t scheduled racing on the traditional Labour Day Monday this year we thought we would do something special on the following Wednesday night,” said Darren MacDonald, General Manager, Hastings Racecourse and Director, BC Racing. “It will also lead us into BC Derby/Oaks Day on Saturday, September 9, which is without a doubt our biggest and most exciting date on the 2017 racing calendar.”

MacDonald says the 2017 edition of the Grade 3 $150,000 BC Derby is promising to be one of the best in recent memory. “We’ll be making the draw next week and right now it is shaping up to be a great full field of 12.”

The top three finishers from the August 19 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park are expected to be at the post at Hastings for the 72nd running of the BC Derby for three-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles. Chief Know It All won the Edmonton race by a half-length with Double Bear and Trooper John finishing in a dead heat for second.

Also, the winner of this year’s Emerald Downs Derby – Riser – has been nominated for the BC Derby and is already being tagged by local racing analysts as the probable favourite.

The BC Derby is the showcase event of six major stake races on the 1:50 p.m. Sept. 9 card. It is supported by the 55th running of the  $100,000 BC Oaks for three-year-old fillies; the $100,000 Jack Diamond and Sadie Diamond stakes for two-year-olds as well as the $50,000 SW Randall Stakes and $50,000 Delta Colleen.

 

For further information:

 

Darren MacDonald

General Manager

dmacdonald@hastingsracecourse.com

 

Greg Douglas

Media Relations

drsport@telus.net