Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Musical Maestro ... with Wesley Henry aboard - File

The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BG&LC) sixth annual raceday is on at Caymanas Park today, the holiday card featuring the $1 million BG&LC Trophy race for open allowance horses over 1400 metres.

Ten races are scheduled with a post time of 12:30 p.m.

Also on the card are two other races sponsored by the commission - the annual renewal of the Charles Randle Trophy in honour of the former general manager of both the BG&LC and the Jamaica Racing Commission, this for four-year-olds and up (non-winners of two) over the circular nine course, along with the Albert Rose Memorial Trophy race for five-year-olds and up (non-winners of three) over 1100 metres.

Of course, the card will also facilitate the traditional holiday supporting feature for the Emancipation Day Trophy (claiming $470,000-$410,000) over 1300 metres, as well as the annual BG&LC Gimmick Race over 200 metres to be contested by 10 pairs, including defending champions Oliver Buchanan and Sasheena Stewart for a first prize of $18,000. Each team will represent a horse and rider, the male assuming the role of the horse and the female the jockey.

Classy six-year-old gelding

Meanwhile, the reigning champion sprinter MUSICAL MAESTRO is expected to start as firm favourite for the BG&LC Trophy race, despite joint top weight of 57.0kg. The classy six-year-old gelding from the stables of Dwight Chen has raced only three times this season, but is yet to win. He was installed a howling 1-4 favourite when stepping down in class for an open allowance straight five race on July 23, but after scoring by 2 1/4 lengths from stable-companion ASKAWOMAN, was disqualified and placed last for causing multiple interference.

Based on his form among the best horses in the country last year, which was good enough for him to be voted first runner-up to the 'Horse of the Year', MUSICAL MAESTRO will prove hard to deny.

Still, in a race this competitive, others such as the much improved American filly GOOD CITIZEN, the bang in form hat-trick seekers MUCHO GUSTO and SLOGAN, not to mention ACCOMPONG, IVAN THE TERRIBLE and especially the well drawn FIRST IN THE SAND, should ensure he is extended.

GOOD CITIZEN caught the eye when finishing second to RUM TALK in a fast-run 1600-metre race on July 12 and prior to that failed by a short head to stave off MUCHO GUSTO over 1200 metres. That's appealing form. But it all comes back to the proven class horse of the field, MUSICAL MAESTRO, who is not only used to carrying big weights but is at home over the distance as well.

In-form jockey Dane Nelson has the ride.Other firm fancies on the card are ROYALTY (working well) in the 2nd race, SMILE OUT to catch POWERFUL PROSPECT in the 5th, FIRST LADY in the 6th, NUMERO UNO over LATIN KING in the Emancipation Day Trophy and SONNY B GOOD in the 10th.