The nine horses declared for the 10th race at Caymanas Park last Saturday leave the gates promptly in front of the stands, victory going to the 8-5 favourite ALLIEDFORCE (Oneil Mullings) coming from stall No. 3. The race was run over the circular nine course. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

As many as 13 races are on at Caymanas Park today, featuring the 67th running of the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup over 2000 metres.

Sponsored by Supreme Ventures Limited, the Lotto Classic, which offers a total purse of $2.25 million, has attracted 12 starters including the Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 2000 Guineas runner-up MUCHO GUSTO who, despite topweight of 57.0kg, could well start favourite.

Before looking at the feature, the mammoth 13-race programme which commences at 11:45 a.m., also features four other races sponsored by Supreme Ventures as part of its $1,050,000 sponsorship for the day.

These include the 11th running of the Lotto Sprint Trophy (grade one) over 1100 metres with a purse of $1 million and the season's first two-year-old race for the Lotto Dash Trophy over 600 metres straight with a purse of $600,000.

Strong pointer

Even in the absence of the 2000 Guineas winner RUM TALK, the Lotto Classic should still serve as a strong pointer to the Derby with the likes of MUCHO GUSTO, BLUE MAGIC, NATURALLY ROYAL, CHIPONYOURSHOULDER, IL CAIMANO, IVAN THE TERRIBLE and SIR KUNJABIHARI present.

MUCHO GUSTO, to be ridden by 'Hall of Fame' jockey Charles Hussey for trainer Anthony Nunes on this occasion, and the Feanny-trained BLUE MAGIC with five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson riding for 14-time champion Philip Feanny, should carry the bulk of the betting and I believe one of them will win.

MUCHO GUSTO, undoubtedly one of the classiest three-year-olds in training, lost few marks in defeat when caught close to home by the fast-finishing RUM TALK in the 2000 Guineas, but had the likes of CHIPONYOURSHOULDER (fourth), BLUE MAGIC (fifth), IL CAIMANO (seventh) and NATURALLY ROYAL behind.

BLUE MAGIC, however, was the hard luck story of the race, having been blocked on the inside by the stopping leader TOOT DI HOOT when full of running (closing rapidly) leaving the quarter pole and ended up 5-3/4 lengths fifth after having to be checked at a crucial stage.

Impressive exercise routines

Both BLUE MAGIC and MUCHO GUSTO have moved impressively at exercise in preparation for today's encounter. Both finished heads on in a fast seven-furlong workout (1:27.0) last Sunday morning, but reports indicate that MUCHO GUSTO was easier.

I see it as a toss up between the two, but the fact that BLUE MAGIC is in receipt of 3.5kg today could make all the difference in their quest for this lucrative prize.

A lightly raced bay colt by Outrigger out of the 2002 Triple Crown winner Simply Magic, BLUE MAGIC has won three races from five starts. He has tremendous scope and I expect him to give Simpson his fourth Governor's Cup winner behind RESTLESS GLEN (1990), SEALED ORDER (1992) and RUN PAPA RUN (2004).

I also like the recent Lady Geeta Trophy winner RAMPAGE to repeat at the expense of old rivals MUSICAL MAESTRO and CLOCK WORK in the Lotto Sprint Trophy, RUN ALDEENO to romp the War Zone Sprint over 1100 metres and the well-forward two-year-old SUPER DAVE from the Feanny stables to win the Lotto Dash Trophy.