By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Gillings...marketing director Pepsi Cola (Ja) Bottling Company Ltd. Forbes
PEPSI RACE Day Magic II will embrace two glorious days of racing at Caymanas Park on Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28.
Details were announced at yesterday's launch at the Courtleigh by representatives of the sponsors, Pepsi-Cola (Ja.) Bottling Company Limited and the promoters, Caymanas Track Limited (CTL).
To begin with, the two days will be highlighted by the second running of the $800,000 Pepsi Challenge Cup (invitational) for top class horses over 1500 metres, this on the Saturday.
According to CTL's racing secretary, Denzil Miller Jr., this handicap event will see last year's winner I'MSATISFIED, along with 'Horse of the Year' MENUDO, MILLIMETRE, METEOR MAN, NEFTENGA, OWEN TAYLOR, FROMRUSSIAWITHLOVE, AWESOME POWER, SIR MOHANDAS BABA, ALEXDIMASTER and RESTLESS WARRIOR as notable contenders.
In addition, the Saturday programme will facilitate three other sponsored races as supporting co-features. These are the $275,000 Ting Classic Restricted Allowance V over 1500 metres, 7 Up Sprint (overnight allowance) over 1300 metres for a purse of $390,000 with horses such as recent winner SPIRIT OF JAMAICA, TOCUMEN, BLACK THATCH and DIXIE FLYER hunting the major share, as well as the Aquafina Rush over 1300 metres for $100,000 claimers.
Two trophy races are lined up for Friday, September 27 -- the round five Steward's Cup for native bred two-year-olds and the Royal Crest Trophy for native bred 4-y-o and up (non winners of three) over 1200 metres.
The racing aside, Friday's programme will facilitate a live entertainment package dubbed "Vintage at Caymanas Park II" featuring the legendary U-Roy, Ken Booth and Brent Dowe,
No major race day would be complete without the popular Kiddies Stables. According to CTL's executive manager marketing, Millicent Lynch, kids from the Portmore community will be entertained this time around.
Lucky punters at Caymanas Park over the two days will also benefit greatly, said Patrick Gillings, marketing director Pepsi Cola (Ja.) Bottling Company Limited.
Among the spectacular prizes to be won are a television set with home theatre system (30 inch screen) from Viewer's Choice, a trip for two to Beaches Cuba courtesy of Air Jamaica Express, free bets to the first 2,000 patrons and three one year's supply of Pepsi to three lucky patrons at Caymanas Park, not to mention free admission for ladies.
As Gillings puts it: "This is our way of saying thanks to the thousands of Jamaicans that help make Pepsi the preferred soft drink in Jamaica". Also present were Andrew Reid, general manager Pepsi and Nadine Johnson, the company's Key Account manager.
Meanwhile, two trophies are at stake on today's moderately supported 10-race programme at Caymanas Park which commences at 1:00 p.m.
These are the Restricted Allowance I (non winners of three) for the Mark Twain Trophy over 1600 metres, a race in which HAPHAZARD should use his superior pace to best advantage and lead home his four opponents, and the $330,000 - $290,000 claiming for the Cecil C. Charlton Trophy over 1300 metres to be contested by seven starters.
