St Leger winner headlines 22 eligible horses for Jamaica Derby

Jamaica St Leger winner CALCULUS and FURTHER AND BEYOND headline a record number of 22 eligible horses entered for next month's 101st running of the Jamaica Derby at Caymanas Park.

The much anticipated race, which will be contested on Independence Day will be run over 2,400 metres (12 furlongs) and carry a purse of $7.5 million. CALCULUS, trained by Gary Subratie and ridden by Shane Ellis, pulled off a 7-1 upset win in the July 3 Jamaica St Leger. He finished ahead of FURTHER AND BEYOND (Dane Nelson) and SHE'S A WONDER (Ryan Lewis).

Among the other entries in the Derby are SHE'S A WONDER, MINIATURE MAN, BILLY WHIZZ, REGAL AND ROYAL, SIR JOHN, DADDY JONES, BERN NOTICE, SANTORINI, GENTLE GIANT, BIG JULE, T BRADY, PRINCE MARSHALL, MONEY MAN and POSITIVE ID.

Meanwhile, SHE'S A WONDER tops the list of a record 22 provisional entries for the 82nd running of the Jamaica Oaks for three-year-old fillies, which will be run the following day over 2,000 metres (10 furlongs). Among the other noticeable entries in the event are HOIST THE MAST, AMY THE BUTCHER, SECRET IDENTITY, AWESOME CHOICE, TRUE AL SKY, SENSATIONAL ENDING, SUPER DUPER, HEAVENLY GLITTER, SWEET MAJESTY, SHE'S MY DESTINY and KATALINA.

Solomon Sharpe, executive chairman of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited, the local promoters of racing, said his organisation is really overwhelmed by the record number of entries and they are looking forward to an exciting weekend of racing over the Independence Day holiday.

"This is the first time in history that we have received 22 provisional entries for both races. I expect that the Jamaica Derby will come down to 10 or 12 horses and I expect the Jamaica Oaks to have a full field of 16 horses," said Sharpe. "This is certainly an impressive line-up of what promises to be a memorable weekend of Classic racing here at Caymanas Park," he said. While CALCULUS and FURTHER AND BEYOND are sure to take their chances in the Derby, it is unclear now which of the Classic races SHE'S A WONDER will start in. She was third best in the St Leger and with a question mark over her stamina, it is expected that the connections will run her in the Oaks where she will be a cut above her rivals.