Pulsating Lotto Classic race day planned
The 78th running of what is popularly known as the ‘Poor Man’s Derby’, the Lotto Classic run for the Governor’s Cup, is set for May 26, 2018 at Caymanas Park.
Sponsored by Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL), who has committed $1,550,000 to purses on the day, the Lotto Classic for native bred three-year-olds over 10-furlongs (2,000m) with a total offering of $3 million is the last major preparation race for the Blue Riband Jamaica Derby, which is down for competition on June 30.
In announcing the racing details at a press conference on Tuesday last at the Spanish Court Hotel in St Andrew, director of racing at the promoting company, Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), Chris Armond, reminded those present that the Lotto Classic run for the Governor’s Cup is very special to him as it was his grandfather, Altamont Armond, who started the race.
“This race is near and dear to me and has always provided an opportunity for the three-year-olds to build on their stocks as they prepare for the Derby.
“The 2018 Lotto Classic will be no less exciting with the two-year-old champion of last year, the Michael Marlowe-trained Marquesas, heading the weights along with 2018 Oaks winner Fayrouz.
“Unfortunately, one of the leading contenders for the Lotto Classic and one of our top three-year-olds Western Legend died yesterday (Monday) but the race this year is not short of good and competitive horses.
“Apart from Marquesas and Fayrouz, expected to start are El Profesor, Without Exception, Drummer Boy, Outrageous Taj, Peking Cruz and Reigning King, among others,” Armond informed.
He then gave details on the supporting races on the Lotto Classic raceday programme, noting that a total of 11 races have been offered to stakeholders.
“On Lotto Classic race day the first two-year-old race will be run. There is always excitement in the air when the ‘babies’ take the track for the first time as immediately the watch is on to find the next Classic race winner.
“The Lotto Juvenile Stakes carries a purse of $1 million, of which $100,000 comes from sponsoring company, SVL, and will be run over three furlongs (600 metres).
“Then to make our Lotto Classic race day even more pulsating there is the Grade 1 Lotto Sprint Trophy which offers a total purse of $1.75 million, including $450,000 from SVL.
“In this clash of speed, expect to see Chace The Great, Siempre Bueno, Money Magic, Orpheus and maybe She’s A Maneater doing battle over five and a half furlongs.
“The Lotto Classic race day has always provided competitive and good racing for our patrons, and this year is going to be even better,” Armond promised.
In his contribution, executive chairman of SVREL Michael Bernard thanked the sponsoring company for their long and outstanding contribution to the sport of horse racing.
He then mentioned the passing of Western Legend.
“When I heard of the untimely passing of Western Legend, I was surprised and I offer my support to the connections.
“But further, I made a call to a trainer in Florida who operates at Gulfstream Park and asked him …what were the veterinary services available to a trainer when a horse gets something like colic in the middle of night. His answer: ‘We have to call the private vets.”
“It is the same here and while we sometimes take advice and recommendations from other racing jurisdictions, it would be good, in my opinion, if we here in Jamaica look at the possibility of establishing, over a period time, our own veterinary clinic at Caymanas Park.
“It is something we are going to be exploring,” Bernard said.