IT is ladies day at Caymanas Park today and the second leg of the all-fillies Classics will see the top horses competing for racing glory in the 71st running of the $3,300,000-Bigga Jamaica Oaks.

Other major events up for grabs are the $715,000-Richocet Cup in two divisions, and older horses will compete in the $1,188,000-Lady Geeta Trophy (Gr 1) event.

And being a day devoted to ladies, 11 with exemplary performances in varying professional occupations will complement the 11-race programme by being honoured in a special ceremony. First post is 12:15 pm.

The Jamaica Oaks, a futurity race for native-bred fillies, will be run over 2,000 metres and has attracted a near-full field of 13, but with no real outstanding filly unearthed since the staging of the Jamaica 1,000 Guineas a few weeks ago, it is again expected to be a straight between established major foes, Guineas heroine Al Fouzia and runner-up Gabiwitzo.

Both fillies hold a victory over the other — Gabiwitzo, who won the Guineas Trials and Al Fouzia, the Guineas. However, for their third clash it is still anybody’s guess which one will eventually prevail. From all indications of breeding, style of running and preparation Gabitwitzo, again to be ridden by overseas-based Andrew Ramgeet, looks to have a slight edge.

According to trainer Rowan Mathie, Al Fouzia, a bay filly by Legal Process out of Lady Bakul (Liver Stand), owned by Farasfhal Farm, “will not be bothered by the trip. She is really a good filly with a lot of determination, and as you saw in her last race, even though Gabiwitzo was gaining ground and looked threatening, my horse kept finding extra. She is that type of horse. She never gives up in a fight”.

Jockey Dane Nelson, who was aboard the filly in her Guineas triumph, will again ride.

Fitznahum Williams, who conditioned 2008 Horse-Of-The-Year Alsafra to win both the Guineas Classics, the Jamaica Derby and the Jamaica St Leger events, feels that although losing the 1,000 Guineas, he could rebound with Gabiwitzo and go on as “she is well suited to the longer journeys”.

Gabiwitzo, a bay filly by Pat N Jac out of Royal Grind (Artic Groom) will report better prepared for the longer journey and is expected to be closer to the pace than on last which will not leave her with too much to do in the closing stages.

Despite the foregone conclusion that the race is between Gabiwitzo and Al Fouzia, the fact that these runners are attempting 2,000 metres for the first time could see any number playing when it really matters, hence horses such as Excellence, Heroyalhighness and Regal Sensation could come into their own and snatch the lion’s share of the purse.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Raise A Ruckus (Allen Maragh)

Race 2 That’s My Market (Omar Walker)

Race 3 Reggae Princess (Omar Walker)

Race 4 The Gummer (Omar Walker)

Race 5 Honeyofalady (Doushane Gordon)

Race 6 Adanna (Allen Maragh)

Race 7 Quiet Knight (Andre Martin)

Race 8 Cherriondez (Donovan Thampson)

Race 9 Lady Ajiban (Kareem Richardson-Garvey)

Race 10 Excellence (Omar Walker)

Race 11 The Greyt Doctor (Paul Francis)