Star-Studded Lineup Ready For George Royal Stakes

April 14, 2006

Two sprint champions; two B.C. Premier’s winners; two Derby champions: all ready and eager for the opening-day feature at Hastings Racecourse this afternoon - Good Friday, April 14.

Parade to the post for the eight-race card Friday is 1:25 p.m. The same schedules is set for Saturday and please note, there won’t be any live racing at Hastings on Easter Sunday.

Former Sprint champions Quiet Cash and Lord Nelson will be facing former B.C. Premier’s winners Bull Ranch and Roscoe Pito as well as B.C. Derby winner Spaghetti Mouse and Canadian Derby champ Alabama Rain in the $50,000 George Royal Handicap.

Gary Demorest, last year’s leading trainer with 47 victories, says of his cherished four-year-old Spaghetti Mouse: “He has graduated nicely and we’re encouraged by his progress.”

Today’s opening ceremonies will include the singing of the National Anthem by Teresa Jukich, sister of Dan - the voice of the races at Hastings.

It will mark the beginning of this year’s 78-day meet where more than $2.8 million in total purses will be up for grabs in the 2006 Stakes schedule.

Racing Secretary Lorne Mitchell reports an overflow of horses in the barn area. Early closing nominations for Stakes races have set all-time records. “With every Stakes race now offering a minimum purse of $50,000, the $2.8 million figure is encouraging” says Raj Mutti, Director of Operations.

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