More money for Lotto Classic

SUPREME VENTURES Limited (SVL) will mark its 10th anniversary as sponsors of the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup, to be run at Caymanas Park on Saturday, May 21 with increased prize money.

SVL's contribution to the Lotto Classic raceday is a whopping $1.85 million - up from $1.2 million last year. This includes a contribution of $750,000 going directly to the purse of the Lotto Classic.

The prestigious mile-and-quarter race for native-bred three-year-olds offers a total purse of $3.55 million - up from $3.30 million last year.

Plans for the 15th running of the Lotto Classic (71st running of the Governor's Cup) were outlined by representatives of Supreme Ventures Limited and Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) at Thursday's launch inside the Portmore Acropolis Gaming and Entertainment Centre.

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Carlene Edwards, senior corporate communications manager, SVL, underlined the company's commitment to the gaming industry.

"SVL's continued partnership with CTL underscores our commitment and support for the development of the gaming industry, which pours millions of dollars into the Consolidated Fund through lottery and gaming taxes and the CHASE Fund, which now exceeds $6 billion.

"We have also strengthened our relationship with CTL through a unique collaboration, whereby 40 of CTL's Off-Track Betting Parlours are currently accepting bets on our weekly sports betting events," said Edwards, who also disclosed that SVL will fete 970 lottery agents and specially invited guests under the in-field tent.

In providing raceday details, CTL's racing secretary, Denzil Miller Jr, said in addition to the Lotto Classic, the programme will also feature five other races which will benefit from added money from SVL, including the 15th running of the $1.47 million Lotto Sprint Trophy grade one race over 1100 metres, which gets a $200,000 contribution from SVL.

formidable one

Despite the absence of 2000 Guineas winner BIG MAN BOYU, who runs tomorrow in open allowance company, and the recent Oaks winner CARIDAD, Miller said the field will still be a formidable one, with the likes of the 2000 Guineas runner-up JUSTIN ON FIRE, UNCLE KEN and HERMOSO AMIGO expected to run, along with JET SETTER, SWEET TRAIL, TECHNOMOTO, REGAL RUN, LUSCIOUS and COLD GROUND.

Also speaking were Sonia Davidson, vice-president, group corporate communications, SVL, CTL's Deputy Chairman Raphael Gordon and the company's acting CEO Camille Buchanan.

- O.C.