SVL launches 2-y-o Triple Crown series
THE SUPREME Ventures 2-Y-O Triple Crown Series will kick-start an exciting last quarter of racing at Caymanas Park this Saturday with the first of the three races, the $2.95-million Cash Pot ‘Only One For Me’ Trophy over 1200 metres taking the spotlight.
Details for the $11.4-million series, which marks its 12th staging, were outlined by representatives of SVL and Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) at yesterday’s launch at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.
Denzil Miller Jr, CTL’s racing secretary, expects a field of 12 to face the starter, among them the unbeaten stable companions SHE’S A MAN EATER and ARMAGEDDON from the stables of 15-time champion trainer Wayne DaCosta; MONEY MAGNET, VERY CLASSIC, AWESOME SAUCE and a third DaCosta runner, MR UNIVERSE.
Paul Hoo, chairman of SVL, the company that will soon take over Caymanas Park – following approval of their divestment bid by government – said the series will continue on Saturday, November 26 with the $3.6 million Pick-3 Challenge Trophy over 1400 metres, culminating on Boxing Day, December 27, with the SVL Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes over a mile, with a purse of $4 million.
Any 2-y-o good enough to win all three races will receive a million-dollar bonus by SVL. Paul Hoo (right), chairman of Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL), presenting one of the trophies that will be competed for during the SVL Triple Crown Series, to Shane Dalling, managing director of Caymanas Track Limited. The presentation was made at yesterday’s launch of the 2016 series at the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.
Hoo added: “This year the 2-y-o series happens while other exciting things are taking place on the racing landscape, chief among them, for
us, our pending new role with Caymanas Track. The work continues in earnest to finalise that negotiation and the final takeover date,” he informed.
“It is our intention to continue in the future our investment in the series, as it reinforces our commitment to horse racing in Jamaica. It is our plan to revitalise racing for the benefit of all stakeholders through new marketing and markets, thereby increasing much needed revenues.”
OUTSTANDING FILLY
He was quick to add that SVL wanted to do something a little different this year, presenting special awards to the top trainer (Wayne DaCosta with 11 wins, including Fatty Bum Bum, Perfect Neighbour, Future King) over the past 11 years; Ruth Hussey (top owner), Shane Ellis (top jockey with five wins, including Miss Ruth, All Correct)) and Byron Murray of Princess Popstar fame (top groom) with all three wins by the outstanding filly when she swept the series in 2013.
Also speaking were Simone Clarke-Cooper, SVL’s assistant vice-president, corporate communications, who highlighted a range of promotional activities on the day, and CTL’s managing director, Shane Dalling, who hailed the contribution of SVL as the foremost sponsor in local racing, with five major races, including the Lotto Classic (Governor’s Cup) and the ultra-rich Diamond Mile to be run in December. PALLEKELE , Sri Lanka (CMC): JAHMAR HAMILTON missed a century, and Visual Singh is in sight of one as West Indies A dominated the opening day of their second four-day Test against Sri Lanka A at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Hamilton and Singh posted solid half centuries that allowed West Indies A to surge to 331 for five, after Sri Lanka A won the toss and asked them to bat.
Hamilton missed his century by a single run, while Singh continued his impressive form to be unbeaten on 81 as the regional side finished the day in a strong position after losing the first Test by seven wickets in Colombo last week.
STRUGGLING
The other batsman to score a half century was dropped Test opener, Rajendra Chandrika, who has been struggling to find form. He scored six fours in reaching 51, before he was forced to retire hurt.
Hamilton, the 26-year-old Leeward Island cricketer, was run out following a dominant batting display during which he counted 15 boundaries from his 141-ball occupation of the crease.
He amassed a solid fifth wicket stand of 188 with Singh, the prolific Guyanese batsman who missed his century by four runs in the opening fixture.
Singh has so far picked up nine boundaries and looked set to press on for a triple figure score.
There were other significant contributions from Kieran Powell and Shimron Hetmyer, who scored 29 and 48 before they were caught and bowled, respectively.