$6.55m for SVL 2-y-o series

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) has contributed a whopping $6.55 million to purses for the prestigious Triple Crown series for native-bred two-year-olds, which kicks off at Caymanas Park on Saturday, October 15.

The series, which marks its seventh running, commences with the $2.95 million Cash Pot 'Only One For Me' Trophy (Grade 3R) over 1200 metres on Heroes Saturday, and will be followed by the $3.6 million Pick-3 Super Challenge Trophy (Grade 2R) on Saturday, November 26 over 1400 metres. It culminates on Boxing Day with the 99th running of the Supreme Ventures Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes (Grade 1) over 1600 metres, with a purse of $4.25 million.

Supreme Ventures Limited has put up $5.55 million to purses for the three races, in addition to a $1 million bonus to the owner of the horse good enough to win all three events.

Interestingly, no horse has ever won all three races in the series which started in 2005.

Three, however, have won two of the three races - RAMPAGE (2005), THE REAL STREAM (2007) and MISS RUTH (2008).

Details

Details for the 2011 renewal of the series were outlined by representatives of SVL and Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) at yesterday's launch in the Negril Suite of The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.

CTL:'s acting racing secretary, Kingsley Gentles, said that with a number of two-year-olds having impressed so far, race one in the series promises keen competition among the likes of AWESOME WILDCAT, EL PATRON, POOCHIE LIU, CANTARE, POTCHEEN, LADYLIKE, ALL CORRECT, ROYAL BUD and AQUAMOTO.

In her address, Sonia Davidson, SVL's vice-president group corporate communications, reminded the gathering that this series is the first of its kind in Jamaica, the English-speaking Caribbean and possibly the world.

"Our company's partnership for this horse racing series is borne out of a long-standing relationship with CTL and extends way beyond the four meets we sponsor annually (including Lotto Classic/Governor's Cup raceday in May) at Caymanas Park each year," she said.

"Our relationship was further cemented last year when, through CTL's off-track betting parlours (OTBs), customers began wagering on international sporting events with our sports betting brand JustBet," she added.

Continuing, she disclosed that punters at the track who purchase a Cash Pot ticket for $100 or more at the SVL promotional booths will get a coupon to enter the 'Dip In The Cash Pot', each getting a chance to win from $1,000 to $36,000 based on the Cash Pot numbers.

Camille Buchanan, CTL's chief executive officer, spoke of the solid partnership between CTL and SVL, while the company's deputy chairman Raphael Gordon and Paul Hoo, chairman of SVL, also addressed the function.