This Sunday's B.C. Derby is one of Western Canada's richest horse races and a crowning point to the province's racing season with a purse of more $600,000 spread over a 10-race card at Hastings Racetrack.

This year's Derby, the ninth race starting at 5:10 p.m., has all the makings of a classic event. Horses have been shipped in from Alberta (Doug's Buddy), Washington State (Italian Boy, D'Honorable One) and the eastern United States (Hoist, Second City).

Runners boasting speed, class and stamina will compete, and with so many fast three-year-olds in the race there's the promise of a new stake record - the mark to beat is one minute, 0.4 seconds, set by Celtic Dreaming in 2008.

B.C. also boasts some of the best riders in Canada. The highlight of this year's Derby will be the appearance of fan favourite and Kentucky Derby/Preakness Stakes winning jockey Mario Gutierrez who will ride Taylors Deal.

With favorable weather in the forecast and Hastings Racecourse becoming the go-to destination for the 'in' sport of the season, the day should be fun and the race electrifying.

Parade to the post for the first race is 12:50 p.m.

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