The Philippine Racing Commission recently instituted the post-race drug testing of horses and set standards for the establishment of laboratory facilities.
Approved on Feb. 3, Resolution No. 16-16 provides technical specifications for Philracom’s laboratory set-up, as well as for sampling and post-race examination units that must be established within three months by the three racing clubs – Manila Jockey Club, Philippine Racing Club, and Metro Manila Turf Club.
That would make compliance to this rule due around May.
“The drug testing of horses will serve to protect the public interest,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez.
He added that it is a requirement for membership in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, which Philracom has been pursuing for years.
Upon the implementation of drug testing as well as international quarantine protocols, the Asian Racing Federation, of which the Philippines is a member, will endorse the country’s bid for membership to IFHA.
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Racing fans can look forward to a speed-soaked weekend at the Philippine Racing Club, Inc.’s (PRCI) Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite, where two stakes races will be held.
On Saturday (Mar. 12), the 1,400-meter Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office 3YO Open with seven runners:
Joseph Dyhengco’s Big Cat Drama (with jockey Patricio Dilema), Deemark International Trading’s Indianpana (Rodeo Fernandez), Herminio Esguerra’s World Famous (Jonathan Hernandez), Herma Farm and Stud’s Silhouette (Fernando Raquel Jr.),
Jeci Lapus’s Tapped It (Mark Alvarez), Leonardo M. Javier Jr.’s Lollipop (Jordan Cordova), and J & J Manager’s Clear Time (Jesse Guce).
This being a set-weight handicap, filly Clear Time will carry 53 kgs. and the rest, all colts, 54.5 kgs.
In the trial race held Feb. 26, Silhouette with jockey Raquel finished three lengths ahead of Indianpana, clocking 1:20.6 for 1,300 meters. The other finishers were, in order: Indianpana, Tapped It, Lollipop, World Famous, Clean Time, Big Cat Drama, and Wolverine.
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On Sunday (Mar. 13), it’s the mile-long Philracom 2nd leg Import-Local Challenge, with 12 entries:
California Shine (50 kgs. with jockey RM Ubaldo), Eugenie (52, JA Guce); Holly Bear (53, JB Guce), Hot and Spicy (53, RG Fernandez), Love To Death (53, MA Alvarez), Lucky Nine (52, KB Abobo),
Mabsoy (52, VR Dilema), Manalig Ka (54, FM Raquel Jr.), Our Angel’s Dream (51, CP Henson), Superv (52, JT Zarate), Tap Dance (55, JPA Guce), and Wowo Duck (50, JB Cordova).
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The New Philippine Jockeys Association, now led by Redentor de Leon as its president, will be staging its second charity footrace event on Apr. 24 at Santa Ana Park.
The first footrace was held on Jockeys Day last May 31, 2015 at Metroturf to raise funds for the NPJA’s Disabled Jockeys Fund, and is patterned after such charity events held by jockey communities abroad. It was highly successful and encouraged the jockeys to stage another one.
PRCI is one of the major sponsors this year, providing the venue and logistic support for the event. Individuals and corporate sponsors may back a jockey of their choice in the foot race for P5,000 each: the jockeys shall wear the sponsor’s choice of clothing—a shirt with a corporate logo or message, the sponsor’s name, or even a costume—giving the sponsor publicity mileage.
If you would like to sponsor a jockey in the footrace or donate to the Disabled Jockeys Fund, please contact the NPJA through their Facebook page.
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