Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

PASSA PASSA, running at odds of 7-1, is pushed flat out by Dane Nelson to win the Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy open allowance feature over 1200 metres in a blanket finish at Caymanas Park last Saturday. ROMEZ (second right) was second, FREE FALL third and the favourite SUPER DAVE (nearest camera) fourth. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

A feast of racing is in store at Caymanas Park today, so much so that the 14-race programme is scheduled to start an hour earlier than usual at 11 a.m.

The mammoth programme is not surprising, as tomorrow marks the biggest raceday on the calendar. It's the bigger, better Digicel Derby Day, featuring the $5 million Digicel Jamaica Derby which marks it 88th running. The prestigious mile-and-a-half race is being sponsored by the communications giant, Digicel for the fourth consecutive year and apart from the on-the-track activities, a lot more will be in store. Dancehall artiste Mavado will provide the entertainment.

The large programme will facilitate two Super-6s (carryover $3.4m) and, of course, the Pick-9 which boasts a $7.1-million carryover, this embracing races six to 14.

We look at the second Super-6 which gets under way in the eighth race over 1200 metres for overnight allowance horses to be contested by 10 starters. Clearly, the one to beat must be the impressive American filly PURE SILK who is unbeaten in two starts.

Trained by 14-time champion Philip Feanny, PURE SILK, the mount of two-time champion Brian Harding, looked real smart when scoring over this trip on her debut in the smart time of 1:12.1 May 3. Despite the presence of MUCHO GUSTO and NASATOL, both proven campaigners, PURE SILK ought to be followed, as she has tremendous scope.

LADY RAKWALAAY (Harding again) has shown a particular liking for two-turn races and should reprise her February 2 success over the circular nine course when she takes on 11 starters in the ninth over same. MISS ROSE, LA'S DANCER and FIDDLE STICKS should ensure she is extended.

Take five again

TAKE FIVE, who won a fast-run 1100-metre race in clinical fashion last Saturday, is tipped to repeat over 1200 metres in the 10th race to be contested by 11 overnight allowance horses. Although up in class, the Ken Mattis-trained TAKE FIVE has never being better and with only 50.0kg and in-form Oneil Mullings again in the saddle, she is preferred to TOBAGO, CIRCLE DROME and GOOD CITIZEN.

The $1.5-million Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes (grade one) should resolve itself into a straight fight between the 2007 champion sprinter MUSICAL MAESTRO and the reigning 'Horse of the Year' DISTINCTLY IRISH who makes his long-awaited seasonal debut.

Preference is for the Dwight Chen-trained MUSICAL MAESTRO who ran a blinder on his recent seasonal debut in the Lotto Sprint Trophy over 1100 metres, when beaten a head by MEDICAL REPORT. Given the additional furlong, MUSICAL MAESTRO with Harding up should stave off DISTINCTLY IRISH.

REGAL SERENADE, now dropped in class, should return to winning form at the expense of SOY MUJER and COCK ROBIN in the 12th race over 1300 in which 13 gave been declared.

Digicel Derby

The Digicel Derby, to be contested by 14 native bred three-year-olds over 2400 metres, looks a straight fight between the respective 1000 and 2000 Guineas winners, ALSAFRA and ROYAL IMAGE, to be ridden by Brian Harding and Shane Ellis.

Both have been trained to the minute for this once-in-a-lifetime chance at Derby glory and it should be close between the exceptional filly and outstanding colt. The Anthony 'Baba' Nunes-trained ROYAL IMAGE is unbeaten in four races this season and is just preferred.

SECOND SUPER-6 FANCIES

(8) PURE SILK/MUCHO GUSTO

(9) LADY RAKWALAAY/MISS ROSE/LA'S DANCER

(10) TAKE FIVE

(11) MUSICAL MAESTRO/DISTINCTLY IRISH/MAJOR MAYER

(12) REGAL SERENADE/SOY MUJER/COCK ROBIN

(13) ROYAL IMAGE/ALSAFRA