Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, British Columbia, starts its 2020 live meet with an abbreviated racing schedule consisting of 25 race days, beginning Monday, July 6.
The race meet will be conducted with all areas of the facility closed to the public, and all racing participants will be adhering to strict health and safety protocol, as part of the ongoing effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hastings' live races will be available for viewing and wagering through the industry's simulcast network as well as at hpibet.com.
“Recognizing the hundreds of horse owners, trainers, grooms, jockeys and other support personnel who depend on racing for their livelihood, this abbreviated meet is critical to the ongoing sustainability of the industry,” said David Milburn, President of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of BC, the organization that represents thoroughbred racing participants in the province.
The 2020 live racing season at Hastings was scheduled to begin on April 26 and run through October 18 with 51 race days in total but was suspended due to COVID-19.
The schedule includes Monday and Tuesday afternoons in July, August and September with start times at 1:15 p.m. PT, as well as one Wednesday afternoon in August and another in September. The lone Saturday date at Hastings will be September 5 which is also the date of the 146th running of this year's Kentucky Derby.
“The BC racing industry, like so many other sectors, has been extremely challenged by the impact from COVID-19. Although we will greatly miss our on-track guests, we want to thank everyone that has worked so hard to prepare for the upcoming race meet,” stated Hastings general manager Michael Zerebeski.
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