MIchael Smith (left), information technology manager at Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL), hands over the Governor's Cup for the Lotto Classic to Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) racing secretary, Denzil Miller Jr., at the recent launch at The Acropolis, Barbican. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) has donated $1,050,000 to purses for this Saturday's big Lotto Day programme at Caymanas Park, featuring the 67th running of the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup.

Details were announced by representatives of the sponsors, SVL, and Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) at last Thursday's Lotto Day launch at the Acropolis Gaming and Entertainment Centre, Barbican, St. Andrew.

SVL has contributed heavily to the purses of five sponsored races on the 12-race programme.

In addition to the showpiece event, the mile-and-quarter Lotto Classic for native bred three-year-olds, this offering a total purse of $2.25 million, including $300,000 from the sponsors, the card will feature the 11th running of the Lotto Sprint (graded stakes) over 1100 metres for a purse of $1 million, including $150,000 from SVL, as well as the season's first two-year-old race, the $650,000 Lotto Dash over 600 metres for native-bred juveniles, with $100,000 from SVL.

According to CTL's racing secretary, Denzil Miller Jr., the Lotto Classic should be very interesting as the Triple Crown aspirant and champion 2-y-o of 2006, RUM TALK, may start.

Possible competition

"If he starts he will have to face MUCHO GUSTO, BLUE MAGIC, RUN ALDEENO, NATURALLY ROYAL, IL CAIMANO, CHIPONYOURSHOULDER, GEISHA'S ART, IVAN THE TERRIBLE, I'M D'MAC, SIR KUNJABIHARI and MAGNIFICO," he stated.

The two remaining races are the Lotto Challenge Trophy (restricted allowance III) over 1500 metres for three-year-olds and up with a purse of $450,000; Lotto Championship Trophy over 1200 metres for $170,000 claimers which offers a purse of $390,000, both supplemented by contributions from SVL.

If that wasn't enough, the card also features the War Zone Sprint Trophy (Grade III) over 1100 metres for native bred three-year-olds with a purse of $475,000. This is run annually in honour of the 1996 Triple Crown winner, War Zone, who has not only won the Lotto Sprint on three occasions, but became the first local horse to earn $10 million in stakes some years ago.

The supporting card of six races will receive an additional $50,000 to each of the purses, compliments of Supreme Ventures.

Saturday is in fact the first of four major racedays sponsored by SVL on the calendar. The others are October 13, November 24 and Boxing Day, December 26, when the lucrative 2-y-o series of three races comes to an end.

According to SVL's vice-president of group corporate communications, Sonia Davidson, the off-the-track activities include the spinning of the Lotto Mega Wheel for a top prize of $100,000 and the Wheel of Fortune which also offers lucrative prizes. To be eligible, punters are required to purchase lotto tickets from promotional terminals at the track.

- O.C.