Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL), the foremost sponsor of horse racing at Caymanas Park, has once again joined hands with Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) for the 69th running of the Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) over 2000 metres for native bred three-year-olds on Saturday, May 23.

Details surrounding the big race meet were outlined by representatives of SVL and CTL at Wednesday's launch inside the Trainers' Room at Caymanas Park.

Paul Hoo, chairman of Supreme Ventures Limited, said the company's sponsorship is $1.2 million - up from $.1.05 million last year.

"Additionally, the SVL Group is proud to be partnering with CTL for this major raceday on the horse-racing calendar for over nine years in succession," said Hoo.

$2.7 million purse

It was announced that $400,000 will be added to the purse of the Lotto Classic, making it a total of $2.7 million. If that wasn't enough, $150,000 will be added to the purse of the Lotto Sprint Trophy, a grade-one handicap race over 1100 metres worth $1.25 million, while both the Lotto Dash over 600 metres straight for native bred two-year-olds (purse $650,000) and the Lotto Rush Trophy for native and imported three-year-olds and up over 1100 metres (purse $650,000) will also see increase purse money of $100,000 each, courtesy of SVL.

In providing raceday details, CTL's racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr said the Lotto Classic should be an intriguing contest and could attract a maximum field.

The possible starters are MAN A YARD, POSEIDON, NAVAL COMMANDER, ANASTASIA, HE'S REALLY OK, PRINCE OF PEACE, BURNING CIELO, JAYLEN, SHE'S MAGIC, MY SPACE, THE REAL PRINCE, PATARA, THE RED SKULL, GO ROBIN GO, ETERNAL STAR, HE'S TRICKY, DARLINGFORD, PALATINE, REGGAE ROCK and FLAWLESS TALENT.

Notable absentees are the 1000 Guineas and Oaks heroine SAINT CECELIA from the stables of Spencer Chung, THE GUMMER and the 2000 Guineas winner BRUCEONTHELOOSE who, like MAN A YARD, is trained by Philip Feanny for the Three Amigos, a syndicate which includes the SVL chairman, Paul Hoo.

The purse of the Lotto Classic is supplemented by $400,000 from Supreme Ventures Limited. Among the six sponsored races on the programme are the $180,000 claiming for three-year-olds and up for the Lotto Championship Trophy over 1200 metres and the Lotto Challenge Trophy, a restricted allowance III for four-year-olds and up over 1500 metres. Both races will also receive $100,000 from SVL.

Meanwhile, the Lotto Sprint Trophy, the season's first million-dollar sprint, promises to be hot, what with the classy speed merchant OUTSTANDING, her recent Lady Geeta conqueror AHWHOFAH as well as SUPER DAVE, GOOD CITIZEN, THE GUARDIAN, HIGH ROLLER and RIGMAROLE expected to start.

The supporting card of five races (all offering trophies) will each receive an additional $50,000 to supplement purses, thanks to Supreme Ventures Limited.

- O.C.