RJR Group saddles up for St Leger

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The RJR Communications Group, along with Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), have pooled their resources for the big St Leger Day race meet at Caymanas Park on Saturday, July 10.

The season's final classic, the Jamaica St Leger, to be run over 2000 metres, will mark its 84th running and once again, RJR Communications Group has come aboard as sponsors with a contribution of $1 million for the day's racing, including $500,000 to the St Leger's purse of $3.9 million.

MARK MY WORD, having won the 2000 Guineas in April and LIME Jamaica Derby on June 19, will take the spotlight for his connections as they go in search of racing's ultimate prize, the Triple Crown. The 3-y-o chestnut colt from the stables of Richard Azan is poised to become the 10th Triple Crown winner in over 50 years of racing at Caymanas Park.

According to CTL's racing secretary, Denzil Miller Jr, MARK MY WORD, who will again by ridden by the Panamanian Dick Cardenas, will have as his main rivals the Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner and Derby runner-up LIFEISJUSFORLIVING, who has been taken to task at exercise in preparation for the race; the Derby third-place finisher, GLOBAL WARMING; and the 1000 Guineas winner, AL FOUZIA, as well as PRINCE ROHAN.

long tradition

Speaking on behalf of the RJR Communications Group, Gary Cole, marketing director, noted that the group's association with horse racing goes back a long way.

"This year we celebrate our 60th anniversary of broadcasting, and for most of this period we have broadcast horse racing to the Jamaican radio audience.

"In 1998 when we ventured into television we expanded our coverage and horse racing has since been a consistent part of the local programming fare that we provide to our viewers.

"It was, however, in the year 2000 when we celebrated our 50th anniversary that our association and involvement deepened and we entered into the arena of sponsorship. Since then we have consistently sponsored race days.

"In keeping with the RJR tradition, for the punters at the track we promise a fun-filled day as we have partnered with the JCDC and Claro to have the finalists in this year's festival song competition perform at the track," added Cole, who was quick to add that the RJR Communications Group, through its Cable channel TvJ Sports Network, as well as Hitz 92FM, will provide coverage of all races on the card.

Most of the 10 finalists in the JCDC Claro-sponsored festival song competition were present at the launch, including the lone female competitor, Nikki Dillon, Winston 'Bello' Bell and the veteran Papa Whyte. According to David Reid, festival song coordinator at the JCDC, all 10 finalists will perform at Caymanas Park on St Leger Day.

Also speaking were Chris Armond, acting CEO and director of marketing at CTL and deputy chairman, Raphael Gordon, who moved the vote of thanks.