Philippine Racing Commission Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez has approved an action-packed 2016 racing calendar, with the first major stakes race, the Commissioner’s Cup, set for Jan. 17 at Metroturf.
It will be followed by a stakes race for 4YO and older on Jan. 31 at Santa Ana Park. This is a new type of stakes race, and just one of the many innovations introduced by the present Commission.
There are 38 stakes races for 2016, including two for the Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing racing festival in August. Not included here are the Philracom-sponsored stakes races for horseowners’ organizations MARHO, Philtobo, and Klub Don Juan, as well as charity races that may be held for worthy beneficiaries.
Philracom’s last major stakes race for the year is the 2,000-meter Grand Derby on Sunday, Dec. 27, also at Metroturf.
Dec. 25, Christmas Day; Dec. 30, Rizal Day; and Jan. 1, New Year’s Day, are all no-race days. The first racing day of 2016 is Jan. 2 at SLLP.
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The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office will be holding 14 races in 2016.
Three are maiden races to be held at each of the three racetracks. In addition, Metroturf will host the Freedom Cup (Feb. 28), National Grand Derby (Aug. 14), and Anniversary Race (Oct. 16); Santa Ana Park the Silver Cup (June 26); and San Lazaro Leisure Park the Presidential Gold Cup (Dec. 4).
PCSO’s first race, a 3YO open maiden, will be held on Jan. 16 at Metroturf.
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The results of Philtobo’s Grand Championship Day, Dec. 7, at Santa Ana Park:
Philtobo Juvenile Championship: 1st, Wilbert Tan’s Subterranean River, 2nd Herminio Esguerra’s Dewey Boulevard, 3rd Tan’s Homonhon Island, 4th George Raquidan’s Real Flames.
Philracom-Philtobo Juvenile Fillies: 1st Mark Anthony Calixto’s Most Trusted, 2nd SC Stockfarm’s Sippin Beauty, 3rd Accu-Rate Ballistics’ Contessa, 4th Tan’s Luneta Park.
PRCI-Philtobo 3YO Colts: Honorato Neri’s Court of Honor, Narciso O. Morales’s Icon, SC Stockfarm’s Cat’s Dream, Esguerra’s Super Spicy.
PCSO-Philtobo Classic: Esguerra’s Manalig Ka, Morales’s Mabsoy, Neri’s Sky Dragon, and Jose Y. Quiros’s Morning Time.
Congratulations to Philtobo’s officers and members on yet another successful event!
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Christmas is just around the corner, and to give thanks to THW readers for their support over the nearly eight years this column has been running, I am holding the 1st Gogirl Racing Christmas raffle.
To join, please like my “Gogirl Racing” Facebook page and on the Christmas post pinned to the top, comment your answer to this: how did you get started in PH racing? The comments section will be closed on 12 noon of Dec. 27.
Why “Gogirl”? It was my username for the first online racing groups back in the early 2000s, and it’s how I am still known to some racing fans who watched me present the races on the live race broadcast of Santa Ana Park and San Lazaro Leisure Park from 2002 to 2010.
Thank you to the generous sponsors who donated raffle items: jockeys Jonathan B. Hernandez, Kelvin B. Abobo, John Alvin Guce, Jesse B. Guce, Rodeo G. Fernandez, Jeffril T. Zarate, Patricio Dilema, and Mark A. Alvarez; trainer Ruben S. Tupas; head groom Melvin Villegas; and jockeys’ assistant Angelito Cameña.
Much gratitude also to our institutional sponsors: Philippine Racing Club, Inc. (through Resident Director Eric Salido), Manila Jockey Club, Inc. (through Racing Manager Jose Ramon C. Magboo), and Metro Manila Turf Club, Inc. (through Chairman Norberto Quisumbing Jr).
This raffle would not have been possible without the help of jockey Antonio B. Alcasid Jr., who rallied the jockeys to contribute items to this raffle.
A joyful and peaceful Christmas to all!
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Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @gogirlracing, Instagram: @jensdecember