Abandoned races cause uproar at Caymanas Park

FURIOUS TRAINERS attempted to storm one of two stewards’ rooms and the Jamaica Racing Commission’s (JRC) box at Caymanas Park yesterday following the abandonment of a second event on the 10-race card.

Incensed by the JRC’s April 1 Rule 44 amendment, giving the stewards ‘discretion’ to abandon races which do not go off within five minutes of advertised post time, the irate trainers decided they had had enough after the opening event and sixth race were called off by the Winchester Road regulators.

The JRC and promoting company Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) have been at loggerheads over the off-time of races, resulting in the regulator issuing its decree, effective April 1.

SVREL contends that its analyses point to a betting pattern, showing increases of up to $8 million dollars in its opening sales whenever the start is delayed to facilitate last-minute bettors.

However, the JRC countered, positing that SVREL should not allow the tail to wag the dog and ought to start races as advertised, to which bettors will eventually conform.

The stewards flexed their muscles in the first race, followed by the sixth, after which things came to a head, led by champion trainer Jason DaCosta, who led a march to the boxes on the third floor housing JRC Director of Racing Antoine Nembhard and Chairman Clovis Metcalfe.

Whereas Nembhard stayed put while the door to the stewards’ room was being banged on, JRC General Manager Richard Longmore, followed by Metcalfe, emerged from their box to assure the throng that there would be no further abandonment of races and the amended rule would be revisited, a fine on the promoter being suggested, after a meeting with SVREL to discuss the burning issue.

Meanwhile, RHYTHM BUZZ outstayed FURTHER AND BEYOND to complete a hat-trick by landing the Legal Light Trophy at nine furlongs and 25 yards, pulling away by nine lengths in the stretch run after chasing to the top of the lane.

DaCosta saddled three winners, powered by his importees, FUNCAANDUN and FRED THE GREAT, whereas his local-bred CALIFORNIA CROWN made a decisive move a half-mile out to win on debut at five and a half furlongs in a maiden event for three-year-olds.

Leading rider Tevin Foster moved his tally to 45 with a two-timer, gate-to-wire winner BENSON in the fifth and FRED THE GREAT in the nightpan, 13 clear of Raddesh Roman, who booted home KING PYE for Anthony Nunes in the Jamaica Equine Veterinary Association Trophy at nine furlongs and 25 yards, celebrating World Veterinary Day, which the race meet honoured.

Caymanas action continues this afternoon with another 10-race card.