In a historic win, the front-running favourite DIXIE CHICK, ridden by top apprentice Doushane Gordon for trainer Heaton Thomas, staves off the fast-finishing FLORENCE (Dane Nelson) to win the first race on a Sunday, over 1100 metres, at Caymanas Park yesterday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
SUNDAY racing proved a phenomenal success at Caymanas Park yesterday!
Crowds flocked to the 50-year-old racetrack in record numbers to support the historic first-ever Sunday race meet to be held in Jamaica.
The eight-race programme attracted a record crowd estimated at 17,000 by Caymanas Track Limited's (CTL) officials, many punters coming back to the track for the first time in years to be part of history.
The CTL Off-Track betting parlours were barred from opening on a directive from the government, and the bookmakers were prohibited from opening on Sundays under the law, hence the pilgrimage to Caymanas.
From an hour or so before the 1:10 p.m. post time, racing fans from near and far began to converge on Caymanas Park. And by 12:45, vehicular traffic leading into the main road of the track - from the Independence City end of Portmore - began to back-up.
After the first race, getting into Caymanas Park proved difficult due to the build-up of the crowd. The vast car park to the west of the clubstand was soon full to capacity, so was the other on the opposite side of the track from the Meadowvale gate.
Stranded at the gates
Pretty soon, punters wishing to enter were left stranded at the gates, as tickets ran out by the second race. CTL took a decision to fly the gates by the fourth race and Caymanas Park took on a carnival-like atmosphere with jam-packed stands, large crowds converging on the Parade Ring to see the horses prior to each race and in-field activity under the tent to host families.
The crowd far exceeded Superstakes Day on November 14 and even Boxing Day last year.
From a personal perspective, I would rank it with the record Boxing Day crowd of 1982 which marked the triumphant return to Jamaica of the legendary jockey George HoSang, who proceeded to win the feature aboard I SHALL RETURN in a stirring last furlong duel with Emilio Rodriquez aboard SPECTACULAR ONE.
One old-timer who is a regular at the track, said he has never seen anything like this since the opening day of Caymanas Park on Saturday, August 22, 1959.
Basking in the glory of the first Sunday meet, which saw win ticket sales on the first race moving from $401,000 to $1 million by the fourth race, the management of CTL was the toast of appreciative turfites. Sales totalled $17.9 million, pretty good for eight races.
Among the officials present were Senator Arthur Williams, the Minister with responsibility for racing in the Ministry of Finance, CTL chairman Tony Hart, along with fellow directors Raphael Gordon, Howard McKenzie, Ian Parsard and Chris Armond.
Overwhelmed
Senator Williams said he was overwhelmed by what he saw.
"It terms of crowd it tells me it could be a record turnout," said the Minister.
"I think we'll have to take another look at it," he was was quick to add.
Armond was over the moon at the response and between congratulatory handshakes, had this to say: "This is a tremendous response. We will assess it as a responsible board and management team and will make our decision on how best to move forward to the next scheduled Sunday meet on December 13".
This view was echoed by the chairman as well.
Meanwhile, the even-money favourite PRIME MINISTER, ridden by Shane Ellis for trainer Richard Todd, outstayed rivals to win the Jamaica Racehorse Owners' Association Trophy race over 2000 metres by 4 1/2 lengths.
Top apprentice Doushane Gordon rode two winners, while trainer Gary Subratie posed two as well.