The 95th running of the Cal's Jamaica Derby for native bred three-year-olds over 2400 metres promises to be an intriguing contest, and the sponsors have gone that extra mile to make the day an unforgettable experience.
Plans for Cal's Derby Day, Saturday, June 13 at Caymanas Park, were outlined by Cal's marketing manager Sabrina Thomas, CEO Carlton Watson, CTL's CEO, Cedric Stewart, and racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr at yesterday's launch on the front lawns of the park.
Cal's Manufacturing announced a whopping $7.5 million contribution to the derby promotion, including $1.5 million to the $7-million purse. In addition, there will be a number of activities associated with Derby Day, including a jockeys' challenge worth $100,000 based on points accumulated by the top four riders on the day, a grooms' race with prize money attached, as well as a male and female best dressed competition offering prizes of a Michael Kors and Anne Klein watches as part of the 'bringing back the elegance to the races' promotion. Thomas also disclosed that racing fans will be treated to a live after race show featuring Sizzla and Kiprich.
"This is the second time that Cal's will be sponsoring the derby, having done so for the first time in 2011 when Technomoto romped the event. We are a company that believes in giving back to the customers. It's against this background that we have returned to the Sport of Kings for 2015 and have invested more than $7.5 million inclusive of $1.5 million to the purse and more than $6 million towards promotions," she emphasised.
In his address, Miller said horses such as the Guineas winners ALI BABA and PUDDY POOH along with the recent Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner KRONUS, as well as POKER STAR, SIEMPRE BUENO, and SOUTHERN CRUISE should make it a very competitive race.
- O. C.