By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport
Vancouver, B.C. (Nov. 8/18) – More Friday Night Live cards and earlier start times on two of the biggest days of the year: these are two major changes to the 2019 live thoroughbred racing schedule announced by Darren MacDonald, General Manager, Hastings Racecourse & Director, BC Racing.
“We’re excited about the adjustments” MacDonald said. “The 2019 season will encompass 52 live racing dates beginning Sunday, April 21, running through to Sunday, October 20.”
The popular Friday Night Live 7:00 p.m. cards have been increased to eight, beginning on July 19 and continuing on consecutive Fridays through August and concluding on September 6.
“It’s a concept that was introduced several years ago to attract a younger demographic and it has worked beyond our expectations,” MacDonald said. “Racing under the lights at Hastings has become a favourite destination on Vancouver’s entertainment scene.”
Historically, the two most popular dates on the local thoroughbred schedule are BC Cup Day and BC Derby/Oaks Day that stand out as “can’t miss” attractions when Hastings showcases the best of B.C. racing.
In 2019, start times for both will be moved to 12:50 p.m., one hour earlier than in past years. BC Cup Day is set for the Holiday Monday on August 5; BC Derby/Oaks Day goes Saturday, September 7.
Two Monday evening dates – August 19 and August 26 – will be part of the Hastings schedule on dark days during the 2019 PNE Fair.
A month-to-month breakdown of the 2019 race-day season includes three dates in April, eight in May, nine in June, July and August, eight during the month of September and six in October.
MacDonald said the 2019 stakes schedule will be released in January. The regular 2019 racing calendar is available on the Hastings Racecourse website at www.hastingsracecourse.com
For further information:
Darren MacDonald Greg Douglas
dmacdonald@hastingsracecourse.com drsport@telus.net
604.216.5234 604.736.4469