BGLC Trophy to highlight August 1 10-race card

Power, speed, and victory unleashed will be the theme for the 19th renewal of the BGLC Trophy race, which is set for Tuesday, August 1, at Caymanas Park.

The race, which will be run over 1,100 metres, is expected to attract a top-quality field of three-year-old-and-up contenders on the festive BGLC Emancipation Day 10-race card.

The card celebrates the commitment of the Betting, Gaming & Lotteries Commission to the sport of kings.

“The Emancipation Race card,” Executive Director Vitus Evans said, “is a staple of the Betting Gaming & Lotteries Commission, with our team members coming out to join racing fans from all walks of life for an exciting afternoon at the track. Horse racing has a rich history in Jamaica, and it seems quite fitting to celebrate this alongside the observances of another milestone event in Jamaica’s history, Emancipation Day.”

A field of 10 is expected to face the starter for this important Grade Two sprint event of the racing calendar, offering a premium purse of $1.7 million with the winning owner, breeder, trainer, jockey, and groom receiving commemorative trophies, compliments of the BGLC. Rivalry is again expected to be keen, with the race won last year by MAHOGANY, first runner-up to Horse of the Year ATOMICA.

There is feverish anticipation as well for the secondary features of a race card marking the first race of the year for two-year-olds with the third running of the BGLC/TOBA (Thoroughbreds, Owners, Breeders Association) Juvenile Dash for two-year-old-maidens over 600 metres straight. Yet another event for main contenders, the race was won last year by LEGIT BOSS, voted the champion two-year-old filly.

Offering a purse of $1.5 million, the event also attracts an owner bonus of $2 million for the first to sixth-placed horses that is also shared with the breeder of the winning horse. This $2 million will be paid if 10 or more horses enter the race. For seven to nine, it will be $1.75 million, and for six or less runners, $1.5 million.

The other secondary feature is the annual renewal of the Emancipation Day Trophy for claiming horses ($750-$600,000) over 1300 metres. The purse for this key event, won last year by BATON ROUGE, will be $990,000 with a trophy also awarded to the winning owner.

Complimenting the race card’s theme - ‘Power, Speed, and Victory Unleashed’ - are the novel names of the other contending events, among them The Victory Sprint, The Golden Gallop, The Fast Lane Sprint and The Thundering Hooves.

This year’s event will also be marked by awards for unsung heroes of Caymanas Park with the commission also packaging a number of activities for event patrons – tokens for punters, community talent parade, and messages on responsible gambling throughout the day.

“The maintained mission of the BGLC,” Evans continued, “is one ensuring a safe, integral rules-based environment, where members of the public not only enjoy the ‘sport of kings’, but other wagering and gaming pleasures.”

Entries for the day’s card close today, with post time for the first race on August 1 set for noon.