Another large crowd turned up at Caymanas Park yesterday to support the second Sunday meet ever staged in Jamaica, only this time it was not as intense as the first a fortnight earlier.

Although there were more attractions this time around, the excitement of people wanting to be part of history, which resulted in a record crowd of 17,000 for the first meet on November 29, wore off a bit.

This was reflected in the day's handle (sales) which came in at $15.3 million on eight local races as against $17.9 million for the first Sunday meet.

Lost money

Despite an expanded range of activities for families under the in-field tent and an entertaining goat race on which betting was conducted, indications are that CTL lost money on the meet as they had to pay out purse money on all races, not to mention overtime pay to its support staff.

Among those present at the track were Senator Arthur Williams, minister with portfolio responsibility for racing in the Ministry of Finance; the Minister of Water and Housing Dr Horace Chang and his wife, Paulette; former Government minister Derrick Smith, whose horse GOLDEN HARVEST finished third in the sixth race; CTL chairman, Tony Hart, along with other board members, including Councillor Camille Buchanan, who sponsored the goat race.

Senator Williams, who was also present at the first meet, said: "Today again proved that the public is in favour of Sunday racing and many of them, like myself, went to church before coming here.

"It does not conflict with our religious beliefs and judging from the response to Sunday racing we will have to take another serious look at it in 2010."

4-5 favourite

Meanwhile, the 4-5 favourite HEARTOFACHAMPION (Dane Nelson) and COUGWAY (5-2) won the co-feature races, the Richard Ashenheim Memorial Cup and for two-year-olds and Joseph Armond Memorial Cup, respectively, in fine style.

The Noel Ennevor-trained COUGHWAY (Andre Martin up) won in similar fashion, making a decisive move leaving the half-mile to circle long-time leader and evens favourite, GHOST RAPPER, entering the straight to win easily from the fast-finishing 4-1 shot RUNNING LOOSE.

At 59 years and 11 months, veteran jockey David 'Scorcher' McKenzie remains the oldest rider to win at Caymanas Park when booting home the 19-1 outsider CAJUN FIDDLER by 4 1/4 lengths.