Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission chairman, George Soutar (left), and Elaine Walters (second left), director of finance, jointly present the BG&LC Trophy to Veronica Warmington, a director of Caymanas Track Limited, at Tuesday's launch of the 2008 BG&LC raceday at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The valuable open allowance race for the Betting, Gaming & Lotteries Commission Trophy (Grade II) is scheduled for Caymanas Park on Friday, August 1 (Emancipation Day), and this, the sixth running, will be boosted by a $1 million purse - up from $850,000 last year.

Plans for the holiday meet, which offers three trophy races, were outlined by representatives of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BG&LC) and Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) at Tuesday's launch at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston.

According to CTL's racing secretary, Denzil Miller Jr, the total sponsorship of purses on the day will be $800,000, from which $540,000 will go directly to the BG&LC Trophy race.

As is customary, the secondary feature will be the Charles Randle Cup over 1820 metres for a purse of $470,000 (inclusive of $60,000 from the sponsor) in honour of the former general manager of both the BG&LC and the Jamaica Racing Commission. This race is confined to native bred four-year-olds and up non-winners of two lifetime.

Honour race

There will also be a race in honour of the late Albert Rose, a former team member of the Gaming Commission. This will be contested by native bred 5-y-o and up non-winners of three lifetime, going for a purse of $455,000, inclusive of $50,000 from the sponsor.

An additional $90,000 will be divided for purses of the remaining seven races, a move which BG&LC executive director, Derek Peart, said is important rather than channelling those funds to promotional activities.

Peart also disclosed that the gaming commission will, as usual, make its annual contribution of $100,000 to the Waterford Basic School to help with its library.

He said the commission places a lot of important on early childhood education, hence its ongoing assistance to the school. If that wasn't enough, the programme will again facilitate the annual Gimmick Race over 200 metres with a purse of $40,000.

Each of the 12 participating teams will comprise a man and a woman running for the major share of the purse, the man hooked up to a harness with the woman in the role of the jockey or driver. Win and place betting will be conducted on this race.

Competitive field

Miller, in providing raceday details, said the BG&LC Trophy race should be keenly contested by horses drawn from the highly competitive open allowance class. These include THE BOMBER, SMOOTHABILITY, FIRST IN THE SAND, CLASSY BOY PETE, GOOD CITIZEN, MUCHO GUSTO, ACCOMPONG, PRINCESS SHEILA, GRACE MARIE, ROMEZ, JACK SPARROW, SLOGAN and CHIPONYOURSHOULDER.

Punters at Caymanas Park will not be left out. Peart disclosed that the BG&LC will make a token contribution to the first 2,000 patrons, while there will also be spot prizes.

Meanwhile, BG&LC chairman, George Soutar, in his first policy speech since his appointment late last year, assured the racing fraternity that "there is no danger of this sponsorship not continuing".

He said given the expansion of the gaming industry, the commission will be embarking in new areas, having been engaged for the last six months in a number of matters to be out in place.

Following consultations with the minister responsible for the gaming commission, Don Wehby, Soutar said he was given a general direction and policy. He said the principal function of the BG&LC is the issuing of licences, location and control of persons who administer gaming.

Amendment

During the short life of his board, Soutar said the most important aspect so far is the pending amendment to the BG&LC Act. Currently with the legislation committee, it will soon return to the draftsmen and finally to Cabinet for ratification.

He said the proposals include provision for licences of new games, commercial bingo and greyhound racing, in addition to new methods of betting via telephone and Internet. Included are increased sanctions for unlawful gaming, i.e., increased fines of $500,000 generally for breaches, protection of minors, etc.

Soutar emphasised that in order to administer a $40 billion industry, "you have to upgrade the operations of the commission's staff with new skills, particularly on computer and financial auditing".

With the increasing volume of work due to the rapid expansion of the sector, he said this will require alternative accommodation, which is being sought.

"I don't want anyone to think that the commission is sleeping," declared Soutar.