Restaurant Associates Limited, local franchise operators of Burger King, has crafted a three-year, $18-million sponsorship deal with Caymanas Track Limited (CTL), it was announced yesterday.

The sponsorship, unveiled at a media briefing at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston, sees the international fast food chain partnering with the prestigious Superstakes Race Day, which is scheduled to be run on November 14.

The mega race day is dubbed ‘A Day With The King and His Horses’.

Burger King has made a whopping $6-million commitment to each race day, with $2.1 million going to purses this year and $3.9 million going towards promotions.

The main feature on the day will be the 37th running of the Burger King Superstakes, a Grade One event for native-bred three-year-olds and upwards going over 2,000 metres (10 furlongs) for a purse of $4.5 million (inclusive of $1 million from the sponsor).

Super Day will also be highlighted by the 28th running of the Caribbean Sprint Championship, to be named in honour of sprint coach Glen Mills, the man who trains the legendary Usain Bolt.

The 1,200-metre event is for native-bred three-year-olds and upward for a purse of $1.75-million (inclusive of $400,000 from the sponsor).

Also, the day will feature the second running of the Coca-Cola Grade One Invitational Mile for native-bred and imported three-year-olds and upward going over 1,600 metres (one mile) for a purse of $1.25-million (inclusive of $200,000 from the sponsor) and the ninth running of the Coca-Cola Grade Three Juvenile Sprint for native-bred two-year-olds going over 1,300 metres (six-and-a-half furlongs) for a purse of $1-million (inclusive of $100,000 from the sponsor).

Richard Lake, group chief executive officer of Restaurant Associates Limited, gave his company’s commitment to the Superstakes Race Day.

“The Superstakes is the most prestigious race on the calendar, it is one of the iconic brands of Jamaica and it is good that the ‘King’ be associated with an iconic brand. We are pleased to be a part of this exciting race day and I am looking forward to racing returning to being the number one entertainment destination come November 14,” Lake told the Jamaica Observer.

Sabrena McDonald-Radcliffe, Burger King’s sales and marketing manager, said that the day will be filled with giveaways and exciting promotions.

“Apart from sponsoring the day itself, Burger King will be transforming the reserved Old Box area at the track into a modern-day kingdom, complete with current kings and queens in business, fashion, lifestyle and media.

“We will also be having some exciting giveaways from Burger King and Coca-Cola as well as the King Deals enter-to-win promotion. The promotion will have three draws throughout the day and will see 10 persons getting the chance to win prizes such as blenders, microwaves and flat-screen televisions,” McDonald-Radcliffe said.

Four former pageant queens of Miss Jamaica World, Miss Jamaica Universe and Miss Jamaica Festival Queen will make some $200,000 in bets, and the winnings will go directly to their charities of choice as well as special awards for stakeholders.

The top jockey on the day who accumulates the most points will win $100,000; the top trainer and top groom will also win $100,000. Six points will be awarded for a win, three for second and one point for third.

Christopher Brown, chairman of CTL, welcomed the sponsorship from Burger King and encouraged everyone to come out to what is expected to be a very exciting day of racing.

“We sincerely look forward to seeing everyone at the races at Caymanas Park or any of our Off Track Betting parlours across the island as we partner with Burger King for a day with ‘the king and his horses'”, he said.