JRTA to honour four on trainers' race day tomorrow

The Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association (JRTA) will mark its annual race day at Caymanas Park tomorrow, with a well-supported nine-race programme on which four trainers will be honoured.

They are second-generation trainer Gary Subratie, Fitzroy 'Pumpkin' Glispie, Victor Williams and Randolph Scott, who is the current secretary of the JRTA.

Feature event on the nine-race programme is the annual renewal of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association Trophy (restricted allowance II) for native-bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two) over 1200 metres, to be contested by 12 starters. This offers a total purse of $715,000.

The feature aside, the remaining races are named in honour of former presidents of the association, including founding member Roderick 'Pilot' Francis, Ren Gonsalves, Norris Scully, Delroy Wallace, Philip Feanny, Percival 'Burt' Tomlinson and Lee Clarke, the immediate past president. Clarke was succeeded by current president Vin Edwards.

Both Glispie and Subratie, son of retired trainer Errol Subratie, made the transition from jockeys to successful trainers. During his heyday in the saddle, Glispie rode three Derby winners in LEGAL LIGHT (1977), ZELL (1978) and BLACK KNIGHT (1980).

Interestingly, Glipsie not only saddled three winners as recently as September 24 (Rum Fire Race day), but capped a memorable day by booting home the winner of the Charity Race for ex-jockeys and equestrians.

As is customary, this meet is a prelude to the Super Weekend of racing which commences with a race meet on Friday, November 11, followed by the big Superstakes meet on Saturday, November 12, culminating in the annual TOBA yearling sale in the official car park at Caymanas Park on Sunday, November 13, commencing at 9 a.m.