THE Philippine Racing Commission will be holding 10 charity races at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Park in Carmona, Cavite on Sunday for the Office of the President’s Rehabilitation of the City of Marawi and the Senate Spouses Foundation Incorporated’s Charitable Programs.
The 10 charitable races will all be using a rating-based handicapping system as a result of the Philracom’s affiliation with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
Standout Race 4, a Phiracom-MJCI Charity Trophy Race, is bannered by Johnny Be Good, which will try to extend the winning streak of SC Stockfarm this year, highlighted by its Triple Crown Sweep via Sepfourteen.
Standing in the way of Johnny Be Good, to be ridden by Jockey HB Hernandez, are Star Belle (J Flores), Shoo In (FM Racquel), Metamorphosis (Pat R. Dilema) and Pangalusian Island (KB Abobo) in the race offering a guaranteed prize of P300,000, with an additional P30,000 being awarded to the winning horseowner.
“Increasing our prizes and implementing a new rating-based handicapping system as a result of our recent membership with IFHA, together with our marketing campaign have contributed to the steady increase in racing revenues,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, whose commission adopted IFHA’s mission to promote good regulation and best practices on international matters pertaining to the sport.
“And with these charity races, racing enthusiasts have a better reason to troop to San Lazaro, because they are contributing immensely to worthy causes,” added Sanchez.
Race 6, another standout offering, will have Anino (Jockey FM Raquel), Hidden League (PJ Guce), Medaglia Espresso (JP Guce), Sky Hook (JB Cordova), Gintong Lawin (JB Guce), Mystic Award (JD Juco), Lollipop (RA Base) and War Dancer (OP Cortez) all gunning for the lion’s share of the guaranteed prize of P290,000. An additional purse of P20,000 goes to the winning horseowner.
“Based on past ratings races, it will surely give the racing public or the bayang karerista, exciting and well-balanced races,” said MJCI Racing Manager Jose Ramon Magboo.
In September, the Philracom finalized its rating-based handicapping system based on IFHA standards with the help of international expert Michael Wanklin.
It was the third time this year that the Philracom has brought experts from abroad to improve the level of horse-racing in the country.