BIGGA Jamaica Limited in association with Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) yesterday announced the 71st running of the Bigga Jamaica Oaks for Caymanas Park on Saturday, April 24, with a total purse of $3,300,000 (inclusive of $700,000 from the sponsors) up for the taking.

Additionally, another $300,000 will also be divided among six other races on the card to bring the total sponsorship package to $1,000,000.

The Bigga Jamaica Oaks a Grade 1 event is for native-bred three-year-old fillies who will compete over 2,000 metres with a field of 11 — down from 13 who contested the 1,000 Guineas — likely to face the starter.

As is the custom, the event will be run in honour of Hilma Veira, a former general manager of the Jamaica Racing Commission and an inductee into racing’s Hall Of Fame who worked assiduously for more than a quarter of a century to preserve the integrity of horseracing in Jamaica.

Wisynco’s group marketing manager Karen Rosen made the announcement at a press launch at the Courtleigh Hotel & Suites in Kingston where CTL’s racing secretary Denzil Miller Jnr gave racing details.

Following the Jamaica 1,000 Guineas opening Classic season race on April 5, winner Alfouzia and runner-up Gabiwitzo will again renew rivalry and according to Miller, a competitive field of about 11 is expected to run.

Among those likely to join Alfouzia and Gabiwitzo in the second all-fillies Classic are third past the post in the 1,000 Guineas Excellence, fourth-placed finisher Regal Selection, Moment Of Hope, Soca Party, Herroyalhighness, Marhabba, Topless Angel, Eloping Emma and Flying Margarett.

So far since the running of the 1,000 Guineas, no new talent has emerged and the field will remain basically the same, but with a few expected to run better over the increased journey.

Other important races on the card include the $1,188,000 Lady Geeta Trophy dash over 1,200 metres for Grade 1 horses and the $715,000 Richochet Cup for native-bred three-year-old maidens and untried fillies over 1,000 metres round.

The Wisynco Group Limited, through its flagship brand, Bigga, who will sponsor Jamaica Oaks Day for the second year in succession, will honour 12 women who represent a variety of professions and backgrounds on the day when the best fillies in the land will have dominant presence at the Park.