Saturday, September 8th, 2018 was BC Derby day at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, BC. The richest day of the season with $550,000 in stakes money on tap including the $150,000 purse for the BC Derby itself. Both the 2-year-old Futurities went to BC-breds, as well as, the British Columbia Oaks for 3-year-old fillies and BC bred, Weekend Wizard, was very close to winning the BC Derby but was caught by a fast closing Sky Promise.

The Sadie Diamond Futurity for 2-year-old fillies went as the 3rd race at Hastings, going 6 1/2 furlongs. It was won, in impressive fashion, by second time starter and odds on favourite, Dancin Shoes. The gray or roan filly looked very impressive as she raced in a wide position for the first half of the race, behind the leaders, until jockey Antonio Reyes turned her loose and she passed her fellow juveniles fairly easily to win by 8 1/2 lengths. The BC bred Dancin Shoes is by Kentucky sire Cross Traffic (Unbridled's Song) and out of the Gone West mare, Andtheliviniseasy. This filly was bred and is owned by David Pihl and Delaurlyn Pihl, she was trained to stakes triumph, by Barbara Heads. Andtheliviniseasy has also produced stakes placed winner Rockport Dancer. It is interesting to note that Dancin Shoes was born on June 21. Who says late foals can't have success as 2 year olds?

The BC Oaks, with a purse of $100,000 is the premier race for 3-year-old fillies at Hastings, was the 7th race of BC Derby Day, they were traveling 1 1/8 miles. The incredible BC bred filly, Here's Hannah, showed us, once again, just how good she is and that she hasn't reached a distance limitation at 1 1/8 miles. Jockey Richard Hamel had the filly break quickly from the gate and they controlled the pace from there on to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:52.77. This jockey / horse team has never been defeated. This fine filly by the A. P. Indy sire, Numaany, and out of Dreams Start Here is trained by John Morrison and owned by B C Stables and Paul Caravetta, she was bred in BC by B.C. Stables.

Two-year-old maiden and just 3rd time starter Dat Day ran them all down in the Jack Diamond Futurity, $100,000 stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings running 6 1/2 furlongs around the Hastings oval. Dat Day, ridden by Antonio Reyes and trained by Craig MacPherson, got a dream stalking trip and rallied to past the front running, very game Arranger just before the wire to win by 1/2 length. The gelding Day Day was bred in BC by his owners Canyon Farms who not only collect the winners share of the $100,000 purse but also the owner and breeders’ bonuses awarded with his maiden breaking win. Makes for a very lucrative pay day for Canyon Farms. Dat Day is by Kentucky sire, New Year's Day and out of the French bred mare, Datura. Datura has also produced eight-time winner, Malibu Skyline.