SUPREME Ventures Limited (SVL) will once again open its four-race sponsorship season of local thoroughbred racing with the 14th running of the Lotto Classic in joint partnership with Caymanas Track Limited on Labour Day, Monday, May 24, at Caymanas Park.

The 70th Lotto Classic for the Governor’s Cup (Gr.1), a futurity race for native-bred three-year-olds over 2,000 metres for a purse of $3.3 million, is the first of four racing spectacles offered by SVL and the promoting company for the year and a new trophy for the Governor’s Cup is on offeR as the current trophy was retired.

The three other races sponsored by SVL are the ultra-rich native-bred two-year-old Triple Series, which begins on October 18 and continues on November 27 and is highlighted by the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, (Gr 1) culminating race on Boxing Day.

SVL will sponsor Lotto Classic Race Day in the sum of $1,200,000, which will go to purses of the 11 races offered, with the bulk of the sponsorship of $400,000 going to the main event where the likes of Asantewa, Classy Prospect, Excellence, Colonel Wales, Heartofachampion, Lifeisjustforliving, Prince Rohan, Mister Information and Trial Lawyer are among 18 whose entries have been so far submitted.

SVL’s board chairman Paul Hoo made the announcement at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel yesterday where CTL’s racing secretary Denzil Miller Jnr outlined racing details.

Hoo said: “It’s over 13 years since the Lotto brand has been associated with racing at Caymanas Park and it is a ‘Supreme’ pleasure to do it all over again with our sponsorship of the Lotto Race Day.

“The sponsorship underscores SVL’s commitment to and support for the gaming industry which pours millions into the Consolidated Funds, the BGLC and the Chase Fund.”

He said from past ventures it was a pleasurable experience to announce “our sponsorship of $1.2 million to purse money for Lotto Day and look forward to the energy created by this well-marketed raceday which results in bumper crowds and heavy wagering at the track”.

There will be five other trophy races on the card, including the 14th Lotto Sprint Trophy (Gr 1) a handicap race for native-bred and imported three-year-olds and upward to be run over 1,100 metres for a purse of $1,470,000 with a top-up of $150,000 from the sponsors.

This is the first major sprint race for the season and will pit last year’s Jamaica 1,000 Guineas and Oaks heroine Saint Cecelia, the imported Honeyofalady and the versatile Ministerofjustice.

Among the other trophy races that will receive an additional $100,000 to purses from the sponsors are the Lotto Championship Trophy, the Lotto Challenge Trophy and the Lotto Dash.