Preparations for Derby on target - Miller

Orane Hart, Gleaner Intern

It's all systems go for the biggest and most prestigious event of all on the local racing calendar, the Jamaica Derby, which will be run at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Despite the heavy rain which has been pounding the island non-stop for almost a week, racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr said preparations for the big raceday are on target.

"We are going ahead as planned. There are no changes in regards to preparations for the derby on Saturday," Miller said on Monday. "The horses are exercising just the same as normal. The rain has not hindered this," Miller added.

A full field of 16 horses could face the starter on Saturday. This number will be confirmed by 1 p.m. today, Miller said

The field should include 2000 Guineas winner BIG MAN BOYU, Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner ERASMO, Oaks heroine CARIDAD, HERMOSA AMIGO, COLD GROUND, JET SETTER, TECHNOMOTO, RED FLAG and recent winners RIGHT MARKER and MAAS LAURIE.

The event recently received a new sponsor in Cal's Manufacturing Limited, which has contributed a total of $1 million to the purse of the Derby and two other sponsored races, on a day that offers a total purse money of $16.8 million for 11 races.

A bumper crowd is expected for racing on Saturday as, according to Miller, winning the Derby is the dream of every owner, trainer, jockey and groom, as this would cement their name in racing history at Caymanas Park.