By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Bolt... confirmed for Walkstackle. - File
THE FAMILY of the late Melvin "Babu" Chin, co-founder of Track Price Plus Limited, will join forces with Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) to stage a very special race meet on Saturday, October 26, featuring a Celebrity Walkstacle over 200 metres (one furlong).
Details for the race day were outlined at yesterday's launch at the Hilton Hotel, New Kingston, by representatives of CTL, the Kidney Support Foundation of Jamaica and Xavier Chin, son of Melvin "Babu" Chin, and CEO of Track Price Plus.
In addition to the Celebrity Walkstacle, the other highlight of the day will be the annual renewal of the Melvin "Babu" Chin Trophy race over 1200 metres (Starter Handicap 1 & 11) which offers a total purse of $370,000.
There will also be a Health Fair while CTL will simulcast all seven Breeders Cup races from Arlington Park in Chicago for wagering purposes as well.
Millicent Lynch, CTL's executive manager - marketing, said the entire proceeds of the Walkstacle would go to the Kidney Support Foundation of Jamaica.
The Health Fair, on the other hand, will embrace various booths in the stands for patrons desirous of checking their blood pressure and undergoing sugar tests. The Health Fair, or Medical Product Fair, is co-sponsored by Lascelles Pharmaceuticals and Grace Medical Division (Medi-Grace).
In closing, Lynch jokingly remarked "Don't go betting on the race and take your blood pressure. Give yourself some time".
In his turn, Xavier Chin had this to say:
"We have provided $100,000 to fund the day's activities, a substantial portion of which will supplement purses for the day. The Kidney Foundation will again benefit from the usual walkathon which will involve celebrities from all walks of life ...
"On behalf of my family and the management and staff of Track Price Plus Limited, a company which "Babu" co-founded and which is now Jamaica's leading bookmaking company, I ask that all concerned work towards making the day a most successful event in memory of one who was so close to racing", he concluded.
Among those already confirmed for the Walkstacle are Usain Bolt, the recent World Junior 200-metre champion, Simone Facey, another World Junior champion, former Olympians Juliet Cuthbert, George Kerr and Neville Myton (last year's winner), former Jamaica and West Indies cricketer Maurice Foster, dub poet Jonah, Man Talk host Christine Hewett, entertainers Tony Rebel (a former winner), Lady G, Lady Junie, Junie Star, radio personality Dennis Howard and journalist Earl Bailey.
Also speaking were CTL's racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr. and Lester Woolery, chairman Kidney Support Foundation of Jamaica. Miller listed some of the probable starters for the Melvin "Babu" Chin Trophy as King Al, Goingtokansascity, The Sandman, Preach Preacher (all trained by Wayne DaCosta) along with the vastly improved Spirit Of Jamaica, Phareal, Ruckus and Dr. R.S.F.
Meanwhile, today's nine-race programme at Caymanas Park, featuring the Lester Saunders Memorial Trophy for two-year-olds over 1400 metres, should see OUTSWINGER toppling his five opponents in the feature, with MEZZALUNA (first race), HONEY BEE (sixth), TIME AND AGAIN (seventh) and MEADOW STAR (ninth) joining him in the winners' enclosure.
