2012 stakes schedule at Hastings Racecourse features 40 races and $2.5 million in purses

BC Premiers on Oct. 8 Upgraded to Grade 3 Status

VANCOUVER, Feb. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Hastings Racecourse has released its 2012 stakes schedule that includes 40 races with a total of $2.5 million in purse money.

Raj Mutti, Regional General Manager, BC Racing, also announced that the $100,000 BC Premiers has been upgraded to Grade 3 status, joining the $200,000 BC Derby and $100,000 Ballerina in that category. "Several winners of the Premiers in the past have gone on to be named Horse of the Year at Hastings," Mutti said. "We are very pleased to have it now recognized as a Grade 3 race."

The BC Premiers will share the stakes spotlight with the Ballerina on the Canadian Thanksgiving Day holiday card on Monday, Oct. 8.

The richest single day of stakes racing in 2012 at Hastings will be on Sunday, Sept. 9 with the headline attraction being the $200,00 BC Derby.  Five additional stakes boost the total purse money to $700,000: BC Oaks ($100,000), SW Randall Plate ($50,000), Delta Colleen ($50,000), Jack Diamond Futurity ($100,000) and Sadie Diamond Futurity ($100,000).

BC Cup Day, with six stakes totaling $325,000 in purses, is set for the Aug. 6 Holiday Monday.  Reserved for B.C.-bred horses, the feature attraction is the $75,000 Peter Redekop Classic for 3-year-olds and up. All six other stakes races come with $50,000 purses:  BC Cup Debutante, Nursery, Dogwood, Stellar's Jay and Distaff.

As has been the tradition at Hastings Racecourse, the Stakes Schedule begins with the $50,000 George Royal on Sunday, April 15 as part of opening weekend.  The 71-day meet goes from Saturday, April 14 to Sunday, Oct. 14.

The complete 2012 Hastings Racecourse Stakes Schedule is available at: http://www.hastingsracecourse.com/racing/schedules/

Hastings Racecourse & Casino is located in Vancouver, B.C. and features live and simulcast wagering, a vibrant gaming floor, numerous dining options, private and public event facility rental opportunities, spectacular views of the North Shore Mountains and outstanding guest services.

For racing related inquiries:  Raj Mutti - 604.216.5245
For media & entertainment inquiries:  Howard Blank - 604.303.1000