Hall of Fame raceday feature will be a cracker

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The annual pre-Derby 'Hall of Fame' raceday is scheduled for Caymanas Park this Saturday and in addition to 11 scheduled races, the card will also feature a Walkstackle over 200 metres, in aid of charity.

This was announced at yesterday's launch for the 15th annual Hall of Fame raceday at the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), Winchester Road, by Ruth Ann Smith-Sutherland, general manager of the commission.

"Thirty years ago in a visionary move, the commission established the Hall of Fame to honour outstanding individuals in five categories," recalled Smith-Sutherland.

"Today, that tradition continues to honour those who have excelled," added Smith-Sutherland on the same day Derby contender, JUNIOR MINISTER, collapsed and died on the exercise track after a one-mile gallop with stable companion PRINCE ROHAN.

Feature event

Feature event on the card will be the 15th running of the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy (Grade II), to be run over 1200 metres for open allowance horses, with a purse of $886,500.

This race could be worth going miles to see as it promises a mouth-watering clash between the crack imported horses DOUBLETHEHONEY, who is unbeaten, and old rival RONRON, who recently completed a hat-trick of fast-time runaway wins.

If that is not enough, the field should also include the vastly improved THE GUV, the improving American filly FLUFFY, 2007 Derby winner THE BOMBER, SHANGHAI PASS, PRINCE OF PEACE, HAIL THE GENIUS, ROMEZ and NEW KINGSTON, among others.

Smith-Sutherland said the other highlight will be the annual Walkstacle, to be contested by some staff members and friends, including JRC chairman Rudolph Muir, as well as some members of the media.

For the race, on which betting will be conducted, proceeds will go to Children First, a community outreach organisation on Monk Street in Spanish Town. Vandrea Thompson, administator of Children First, was on hand to receive a donation from the JRC.

Secondary feature on the card will be the Reynold 'Ren' Gonsalves Memorial Cup (overnight allowance) over 2000 metres. Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany and Howard Hamilton, respective owners of Hall of Fame inductees Miracle Man and A King Is Born, presented framed paintings of both horses to the JRC, to be included in the Hall of Fame building.

Chris Armond, acting CEO and marketing director of Caymanas Track Ltd, brought greetings on behalf of his company, then sounded an ominous warning.

"We are living in difficult times ... . We need people to come forward to set up a crime-relief fund. We looked after Haiti, it's time we look after ourselves."

Because of the recent social unrest, Smith-Sutherland said there would not be any inductees to the Hall of Fame this year.