KINGSTON, Jamaica - The long-awaited new tote board at Caymanas Park is close to completion as race day testing started on the 11-race programme of Saturday, June 18. Further testing of the new tote will be done over the following two weeks with full implementation expected on Jamaica St Leger Day, which is Saturday, July 2, 2022.
Caymanas Park has been without a tote board, which provides vital information for punters on betting, race results, dividends, race timing fractions, final times, and other race day activities for over two years, with bettors having to make use of televisions stationed at the track and at the over 100 off-track betting parlours across the island.
For the promoting company of racing, Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), the new tote represents a significant upgrade over the previous system that came into use in 1989 under the guidance of the then Danny Melville-led board of Caymanas Track Limited.
“The long wait for a new tote board will soon be over. Testing has started and thus far the result has been encouraging, and more testing will be carried out to eliminate as many technical issues as possible, and then we will start full use. It has taken time, mainly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting disruption of the shipping cycle across the globe, plus the significant rise in shipping costs.
“The new tote board is a significant improvement on the previous one we had, with many added features on a fully digital platform, with a high-definition digital screen to enhance the quality of information and also the presentation of this information provided to punters and others. As with all upgrades of this technical nature, there are going to be some teething pains when up and running, so we ask patrons to be understanding as we at SVREL will work to sort out all of the issues,” executive chairman of SVREL Solomon Sharpe said.
The new tote board comes with a price tag of approximately $100 million and is expected to open additional revenue streams for SVREL.
“The size of the new tote board is 60 feet wide by 27 feet high, and is elevated 15 feet off the ground. There are two wings on the left and right of the main screen to accommodate the placement of advertisements. That is important for us as we endeavour to sell advertising packages to sponsors of our racing product and to other entities wishing to do so,” Sharpe added.
The new tote board is located on the infield but not in its traditional spot.
“Yes, I have been asked several times about moving the tote board more to the right when sitting in the stands when compared with the location of the old tote. This will not hamper or hinder those in the stands from having a good view of the main screen given its size, and in addition, the present location provides SVREL with the opportunity of hosting additional infield activations to generate more revenue for the company, especially on days when there is no racing,” Sharpe said.
