Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The $2.7 million Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup is the big feature at Caymanas Park today and indications are that the progressive three-year-old colt, POSEIDON, under Hall of Fame jockey, Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths, will win and send his stocks soaring for the June 13 Jamaica Derby.

Punters should get a clearer picture of what to expect in the Derby following today's event, this being the major prep for the premier classic. Numerous winners of the mile and quarter race have gone on to win the Derby, notably RECA (1976), Triple Crown winner ROYAL DAD (1981), THORNBIRD (1984), Triple Crown hero THE VICEROY (1989), DORVAL (1995), TERREMOTO (1998), GOOD PROSPECT (1999) and MIRACLE MAN (2005).

Sponsored by Supreme Ventures Limited, the Lotto Classic has attracted 13 starters and with neither the 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner SAINT CECELIA present, nor the 2000 Guineas winner BRUCEONTHELOOSE and runner-up THE GUMMER, it should still provide some strong pointers.

classic winners

The Dwight Chen-trained POSEIDON, who finished a close third to BRUCEONTHELOOSE in the April 4, 2000 Guineas, will more than likely start favourite in the absence of the classic winners. This being a condition race, POSEIDON can expect worthwhile competition from top weight NAVAL COMMANDER, HE'S REALLY OK, JAYLEN, PRINCE OF PEACE, GO ROBIN GO and the Oaks third-place finisher, PATARA, now lightly weighted.

All of the abovementioned should stay 10 furlongs but there is a strong consistency of backers for the lightly-raced POSEIDON, who dons the familiar maroon and gold silks of owner Howard Hamilton.

There was a lot to like about the manner in which POSEIDON stayed on from below the distance to finish on the heels of BRUCEONTHELOOSE and THE GUMMER in the 2000 Guineas. The son of Law Of The Sea-Melissa's Song won his subsequent race by a wide margin.

Chen is upbeat about his chances.

"He is working well and will be ready to give it his best shot," disclosed the trainer. "I was particularly pleased with his last gallop on Monday morning when he breezed six furlongs in 1:13.2.

"You should remember that he has beaten nearly all of his opponents already and, in light of this, I'm pretty confident in his ability to win this race," added Chen.

handicapped horses

However, POSEIDON could be extended by the three most leniently handicapped horses in the race, namely HE'S REALLY OK under title-chasing jockey Paul Francis, PRINCE OF PEACE with back to form five-time champion Trevor Simpson and PATARA, with last year's winning rider Carlton Malcolm aboard.

HE'S REALLY OK and PRINCE OF PEACE were not beaten far in fourth and fifth places, respectively, in the 2000 Guineas. PATARA wasn't disgraced by SAINT CECELIA over the distance in the Bigga Oaks. POSEIDON has so much going for him that he can only beat himself.

Other firm fancies on the well-supported Lotto Day programme are the fleet-footed OUTSTANDING to rebound in the $1.25 million Lotto Sprint Trophy (grade one) over 1100 metres, HONEYOFALADY to repeat in the first race, ALLORA in the eighth, THE GREY DOCTOR over STAR OF THE SEA in the ninth and down in class MAGNIFICO in the nightpan.