FAR second favorite Dixie Gold scored over the favorite Low Profile in the 43rd Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Presidential Gold Cup at San Lazaro Leisure Park.
Dixie Gold (Dixie Chatter x My Gal’s Gold), steered by Patricio R. Dilema, ran at the back of the pack. Low Profile, who won the Nov. 29 PCSO Anniversary race in spectacular fashion, had the lead with Malaya dogging his flank and Kanlaon behind them.
Patty stepped on the gas at the far turn and Dixie Gold responded, putting on the burst of speed that took him on the outside, his legs churning up dust, steadily gaining ground on the fading Low Profile to win by three.
Malaya’s rider Jonathan “Unoh” Hernandez, in a show of good sportsmanship, gave Patty a high-five when their horses crossed the finish line.
Fans in the stands cheered upon seeing Dixie Gold’s ecstatic owner Joseph Dyhengco raise the heavy Gold Cup handed to him by PCSO General Manager lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II.
Cheers also greeted Patty and the winning trainer, Anthony L. Francisco. Dyhengco also received the breeder’s trophy.
With them at the awarding ceremony were Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, Manila Jockey Club President lawyer King Reyno and Racing Manager Jose Ramon C. Magboo, PCSO Committee on Races chairman Conrado C. Zabella, vice-chairman Desoto Tupas, members lawyer Jose T. Malang (the committee’s former chairman), Arnel Casas, Dr. Orlando Malaca, Rey Empremiado, Dan Valmonte, Gerry Rojas, and myself.
2nd Kanlaon, 3rd Low Profile, 4th Malaya. Time: 2:08 (23.6-23.4-26.4-26.6-28).
Visit my Gogirl Racing page on Facebook to get the link to download this year’s Gold Cup souvenir magazine – it’s got photos, articles, the PCSO Silver Cup and Gold Cup rolls of champions, and other interesting information.
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On the same day, Felizardo Sevilla Jr.’s Guatemala (Kangoo x Western City) won the Philracom Juvenile Championship, trouncing the favorite Sky Dancer.
Sent off as the second choice, the 2YO filly trained by Manuel Vicente and ridden by Mark Alvarez ran off the pace for most of the mile race, firing in the backstretch to grab the lead at the far turn to win by several lengths.
2nd Sky Dancer, 3rd Subterranean River, 4th Homonhon Island, 5th Spectrum. Scratched: Gee’s Jewel. Time: 1:44.2 (24.6-24.4-26-29.2).
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The last two Philracom stakes races for the year are: Dec. 20, Santa Ana Park: Chairman’s Cup, 1,600 meters; Dec. 27, Metroturf: Grand Derby, 2,000 meters.
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My Facebook page ‘Gogirl Racing’ hit 3,000 likes two weeks ago, and to celebrate I will hold the 1st Great Big Gogirl Racing Memorabilia Christmas Raffle this week.
Thanks to jockey’s association officer Antonio B. Alcasid Jr.’s coordination, the jockeys responded with enthusiasm. Unoh Hernandez, Hagdang Bato’s regular rider, immediately sent autographed silks, reins, a pair of goggles, a visor, and t-shirts.
Jesse B. Guce and John Alvin Guce each gave skull caps (gora); Low Profile’s rider Mark A. Alvarez sent an autographed photo; Kelvin Abobo sent the boots he used with champion Ibarra.
Trainer Ruben S. Tupas and head groom Melvin Villegas donated an ‘egg bar’ shoe of Hagdang Bato’s, and a shoe each from Pugad Lawin, Kid Molave, and Low Profile. All the shoes still have nails and dirt in them!
MJC racing manager Ding Magboo sent t-shirts autographed by model “Lucky” Lea Forbes and the Gold Cup jockeys, and Philippine Racing Club resident director Eric Salido sent ball caps and towels.
To join the raffle, please like the Gogirl Racing page and wait for the post this week about the mechanics.
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Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @gogirlracing, Instagram: @jensdecember, Blog: http://jennyo.net