Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

The sparingly used jockey Gary 'Ginger' Santos brings 3-1 chance HAILSTORM (left) with a well-timed run to win last Saturday's opening race over 1100 metres in a driving finish from ABHIRAJ (Richard Mitchell) and the favourite DOLLAR WIN (Clice Lynch) at Caymamas Park on Saturday. The winner was saddled by Jamaica's lone female trainer, Margaret Parchment. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Sixteen entries were received last Saturday for the 88th running of the Digicel Jamaica Derby over 2400 metres, the list including Guineas winners ROYAL IMAGE and ALSAFRA, both still in line for Triple Crown glory.

In a directive, the Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) racing office said owners and trainers wishing to enter the Derby may still do so by 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. It is unlikely there will be a new addition to the original nominees.

$2 million donation

Offering a total purse of $5 million - up from $4.25 million last year - the race is confined to native bred three-year-olds. Digicel, sponsors of the Derby for the fourth straight year, has donated $2 million to the purse.

A magnificent silver trophy donated by Digicel will go to the winning owner, along with the Sir John Moredcai Derby Trophy which traditionally is presented every year.

ROYAL IMAGE, winner of the Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 2000 Guineas on April 5 and the ultra-talented filly ALSAFRA, winner of the 1000 and Bigga Jamaica Oaks, are the leading contenders for top honours.

Trained by Fitznahum Williams who controls a small string of horses, ALSAFRA is an exceptional filly. Two-time champion jockey Brian Harding, who guided her to victory in both the 1000 Guineas and Oaks, will fly in from his base in Trinidad to partner the daughter of Legal Process - Tee Gee Vee, who is co-owned by Sherman Clachar and Norman Gordon.

ROYAL IMAGE, on the other hand, will again have the services of the 2000 champion jockey Shane Ellis. He rides the bay colt by Image Maker out of the 1993 Harry Jackson Memorial Cup winner Royal Grind for topline trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes and Barbadian owner Elias Haloute.

Lotto Classic winner

Also in the line-up is the recent Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner, the filly IT IS I, who is also owned by Haloute and trained by Nunes. IT IS I will be ridden by Florida-based Jamaican jockey Allen 'Bungo John' Maragh.

Other horses nominated and jockey riding plans are as follows: the Lotto Classic runner-up MINISTEROFJUSTICE to be ridden by Richard Mitchell once again; COMMANDER ZERO (blinkers off) by champion jockey Omar Walker; LEONIDAS by leading all-time classic winning jockey Winston Griffiths; JOSE WALES by five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson; WHEEL N DEAL by title-chasing jockey Dane Nelson; STAR OF THE SEA by apprentice Andre Martin; EVANDER by visiting American jockey from Calder in Florida, Leroy Nelson; POORLITTLERICHBOY by Larris Allen; REGAL SELECTION by Everton Miller; as well as GAMBOA, GOOD HOPE, MR BLAIR and PERFECT CIRCLE.