Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Paul Hoo (left), chairman of Supreme Ventures Limited, hands over the Governor's Cup to Lee Clarke, a director of Caymanas Track Limited, at yesterday's Lotto Classic race day launch.
- Contributed
Racing's biggest sponsor, Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL), has donated $1,050,000 to purses for the Lotto Classic race day at Caymanas Park on Saturday, May 24, featuring the $2.5 million Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup over 2000 metres for native bred three-year-olds.
Plans for this the first of four major race days sponsored by Supreme Ventures on the calendar, were outlined by representatives of the company and the promoters, Caymanas Track Limited (CTL), at yesterday's launch in the Somerset Room of Courtleigh Hotel, New Kingston.
Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Paul Hoo, chairman of Supreme Ventures Limited, said, "This sponsorship underscores SVL's commitment and support for the development of the gaming industry, not only with lotteries and local communities, but also horse racing. Our sponsorship is predicated on the benefits we hope will be accepted as a significant boost for the gaming industry."
Alsafra out
Although the Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 1000 Guineas and Bigga Oaks winner ALSAFRA will miss the Lotto Classic, CTL's racing secretary, Denzil Miller Jr, said the field could include the 2000 Guineas winner, ROYAL IMAGE, and the runner-up, COMMANDER ZERO, both of whom have looked razor sharp at exercise.
Miller said other probable starters are EVANDER, MACHISMO, LEONIDAS, MINISTEROFJUS-TICE, GOOD HOPE, PRIDE 'N' GLORY, Oaks runner-up IT IS I, GAMBOA, REGAL SELECTION, LOVINGGOOD, GABROUSHE, RAHMAN and JOSIE WALES, who won the prestigious Supreme Ventures Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes last Boxing Day, but is yet to race this season.
Supreme Ventures Limited has contributed $350,000 to the purse of the Lotto Classic in addition to over $650,000 to purses for other races on the programme.
These include the 12th running of the Lotto Sprint Trophy (grade one) over 1100 metres.
