Bruce Baylis (left), managing director of Book Empire Limited, distributors of Seek exercise books, presents the imposing Seek trophy to CTL's racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr at yesterday's launch of the Seek Champion Betting Back-to-School raceday at Caymanas Park this Saturday. Looking on is Chris Armond, a director of CTL and chairman of racing's advisory council. - Contributed

Book Empire Limited, distributors of Seek exercise books, has once again thrown its hat into the ring with sponsorship of the Seek Champion Betting Back-to-School raceday at Caymanas Park this Saturday, August 29.

Details were announced at yesterday's launch in the Trainers' Room at Caymanas Park by the managing director of Book Empire Limited, Bruce Baylis; Damian Chin-You, chief executive officer of Champion Betting Limited; CTL's racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr as well as Chris Armond, a director of CTL and chairman of racing's advisory council.

The meet, featuring the Seek Exercise Book Trophy race over 1300 metres for open allowance horses with a purse of $705,000, will also facilitate two other races sponsored by Seek.

These are the Seek Double Line Trophy over 1500 metres for native bred three-year-olds (non winners of two) for a purse of $600,000 and the Seek Employees Trophy (claiming $180,000) over 1100 metres for a purse of $415,000.

Spirit of cooperation

The day will also feature race No. 2 in the popular and very lucrative Champion/CTL Claiming Series ($220,000 - $190,000) over 1400 metres for a purse of $500,000.

Armond explained that the raceday was originally set aside for the monthly Champion Betting Claiming Series. But in a true spirit of cooperation, the management of the bookmaking company allowed Seek to share the day to coincide with its back-to-school promotion.

Miller Jr, in providing raceday details, said the Seek Exercise Book Trophy promises keen competition, as the racing office can pull from a pool of 30 horses.

These include BLUE MAGIC, SHANGHAI PASS, ALSAFRA, TOBAGO, THE GUARDIAN, HOMBRE, QUICK AND GRAY, WAP. MINISTEROFJUSTICE, WHEEL N DEAL, MR. SKILL, SAINT CECELIA, TRIPLE ACCOUNT, LADY HASTINGS. SLOGAN, HAIL THE GENIUS and COMMANDER ZERO.

In a brief address, Baylis whose 20-year-old daughter Kerry won the Miss Jamaica (World) title last Saturday night, said it was a pleasure to be back in the sponsorship ring.

He disclosed that Seek will give away 1,000 exercise books at the track as a way of saying thank you to its customers.

He further stated that there will be entertainment for the kids, including a Michael Jackson imitator, Menasse Hines who was on hand at the launch to strut his stuff, moonwalk and all, to the tune of 'Man in the Mirror'.

Also speaking were Chin-You who was happy with the positive response to the Champion Claiming Series which offers a $100,000 payday in the Lucky Losers competition, along with Chris Armond, who disclosed that there will be free admission to the grandstand and the ground floor of the clubstand on Saturday.