BETTER known for his sprinting exploits, talented three-year-old, Lifeisjustforliving made good claims for top honours in the upcoming Jamaica Derby with a rousing length-and-a-quarter win in the $3.3 million Lotto Classic for the Governor’s Cup (Gr.1) at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Ventures Labour Day Lotto Classic programme which was rescheduled from last Monday also witnessed Jamaica 1,000 Guineas and Oaks heroine Saint Cecelia, trained by Spencer Chung and toting top weight of 60.5kg, romp the $1,470,000 Lotto Sprint Trophy (Gr.1) secondary feature by 5 1/2 lengths in Stakes record time.

The American-bred Honeyofalady who was allowed 3.5kg, was second ridden by Doushane Gordon.

Installed the 6-5 favourite in the five-horse field and ridden by Allen Maragh, Saint Cecelia ran 1,100 metres in 1:04.2 to eclipse the old mark of 1:04.4 set by A King Is Born five years ago.

Earlier, six-year-old bay gelding Romez, the even money favourite, came running on under Wesley Henry to win the $620,000 Labour Day Trophy claiming race by 1 1/4 lengths. Grace Marie, a 3-1 bet ridden by Dane Nelson, was second in the field of nine.

In the day’s feature, carrying top weight of 56.0kg and Omar Walker, Lifeisjustforliving, installed the 3-2 favourite, broke on top front post 14 but was quickly kept in check as his 73-1 stable mate Trial Lawyer ridden by Allen Maragh hopped to the front and lead for the first 1,200 metres .

Stalking splits of 24.1, 49.4 and 1:14.0 and never worst than second, the speedy Lifeisjustforliving took over from Trial Lawyer at the 8,000 metres marker and took command from then on to win the event with much in hand.

Trained by Wayne DaCosta, who was not present to savour the victory, Lifeisjustforliving ran 2,000 metres in 2:09.4 in the 15-horse field for native-bred three-year-old.

Prince Rohan, a 26-1 bet ridden by claiming apprentice Aaron Chatrie and one of two runners trained by Anthony Nunes to finish in the top three, came from last charting his course along the rails to be second with highly fancied stablemate Junior Minister, the 2-1 second favourite ridden by Shane Ellis, finishing third 2 1/2 lengths farther back.

Excellence, the other of the DaCosta trio ridden by Wesley Henry, was fourth well fancied at odds of 5-1.

“It was a victory which was never in doubt,” Walker declared after the facile win. “After failing to win the 2,000 Guineas the trainer corrected some problems he had added the figure of eight and from then on he began to work well and this is the result of the trainer’s efforts.”

With this performance under his belt there is no reason why he should not stay the Derby distance, Walker believed.

“I held him up in this race before releasing him and the same thing came be done in the 2,400 metres longer distance. He has good ability and as long as he is ridden with restraint anything is possible,” Walker said.

Owned by Church Pen Farm, Lifeisjustforliving, a bay colt by Region Of Merit out of Bold Queen (Cannon Shell), was bred at Orange Valley Estates and was winning his fifth race from six career starts.

He pocketed $1,782,000 as he winner’s share for a bankroll of $4,533,000 lifetime.