Seek raceday next Saturday

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

With back-to-school time fast approaching, Book Empire Limited will partner with Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) for the fifth running of the Seek Exercise Book Trophy race at Caymanas Park on Saturday, August 27.

The race will be run over 1200 metres and is confined to open allowance horses.

Plans for Seek Back-to-School raceday were outlined by Bruce Baylis, managing director of Book Empire Limited and representatives of CTL at Tuesday's launch in the Trainers' Room at Caymanas Park.

Baylis, accompanied by his daughter Katrina, emphasised that Book Empire Limited is committed to sponsoring the race for a fifth straight year as "this is our way of giving back".

He said people have often asked him why, as a book manufacturer, he chose to be associated with horse racing.

"I feel like everyone here is family for I am no stranger to racing," he confessed. "We have a product that is made in Jamaica, by Jamaicans for Jamaica," said Baylis, who was quick to add that Book Empire will give away 1,500 exercise books at the track, along with 1,000 pencils and sharpeners.

In providing raceday details, CTL's acting racing secretary, Kingsley Gentles, said the Seek Trophy will offer a purse of $1 million, inclusive of $213,500 from Book Empire.

Last year, the race was won by the outstanding American filly RONRON, and this year's renewal should be graced by the presence of the Wayne DaCosta-trained DOUBLE THE HONEY, who was second last year; stable-companions CASSANOVA BOY, FLUFFY, NEW KINGSTON and THE GUARDIAN, the Anthony Nunes-trained SARAGOSSA, MACHISMO and REGAL SENSATION (all winners last time out), as well as BRASH & SASSY, BOLDLY FORMAL, MINISTEROFJUSTICE, ROME and PRINCE THEO.

Names of products

Gentles further disclosed that the remaining nine races on the card will carry the names of products from Book Empire Limited. They include the Seek Employees Trophy, Seek Customer Trophy, Seek Double Line Trophy, Seek Scrapbook Plaque and the Seek 70 Sheet Plaque.

Speaking on behalf of the promoters, Sonia Rickards, corporate communications consultant, CTL, said "This sponsorship holds a special place in our hearts because this third-generation manufacturer has grown up in racing and, like his father before him, they have been passionate about racing.

"We at Caymanas Park are very proud to be associated with this product and this company, and we look forward to the many fans who will join us at Caymanas Park for a great day at the races."

CAPTION: Bruce Baylis (second right) and his daughter Katrina (right) jointly hand over the new Seek Trophy to CTL's acting racing secretary, Kingsley Gentles (left), and the company's corporate communications consultant, Sonia Rickards, at Tuesday's launch of the fifth annual Seek Back-to-School raceday to be held at Caymanas Park on August 27. The launch took place in the Trainers' Room at Caymanas Park. - Contributed