McKay

A DAY for 'small claimers' is how McKay Security Chief Executive Officer, Jason McKay, has described Thursday's New Year's Day race meet at Caymanas Park, when his firm will sponsor co-features for $180,000 claimers worth a combined purse of $1.13 million.

Sharing the spotlight with the traditional New Year's Day Trophy, the McKay Security feature races will each carry added purses of $565,000.

Maximum entries are expected for both races, a 1200-metre sprint and the other being a 1820-metre distance event, which starts in front the stands and takes the field around the full circuit of the nine-furlong track.

Both races are confined to four-year-olds and upwards, who have started for $180,000 since September 1, horses who have been exposed to the lowest level of claims, ruling out any plunderers dropping down in class to make a mockery of the events.

McKay said the $180,000 claiming level was targeted by his company as "a celebration" of the company's 13th year of working with stakeholders in the backstretch at Caymanas Park.

"Those horses make up probably the biggest group of runners at Caymanas Park and they also earn the most money for the tote," he said.

Giving back

"It's our way of giving back to the people, who we work with every day," he added.

McKay said his company originally wanted a million-dollar race but was persuaded by Caymanas Park's racing office to spread the cash around over two events at varying distances.

"Everybody, sprinters and stayers, would benefit that way," he said.

McKay Security have had various themes for its annual sponsorship on New Year's Day. 'Unity at the Track' was last year's theme and before that 2006 was used as a congratulatory recognition of the St Catherine South Police.