The 11th edition of the Pasay ‘The Travel City’ Racing Festival, held last Sunday at the MetroTurf Racing Complex in Malvar-Tanauan, Batangas, made history in the local racing industry, establishing two major sales records.
In conjunction with Pasay City’s founding anniversary, the highly anticipated event saw a record-breaking single-day sales total of P50,835,742. Over two days, the festival generated an impressive all-time high of P79,793,558 in total sales—an unprecedented achievement for the industry, which is gradually recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported this year’s racing event, which has been embraced by the entire racing community. Congratulations to the winners, and rest assured, we will continue to promote the Pasay Racing Festival for years to come,” said Pasay City Rep. Tony Calixto, the driving force behind the annual event, alongside former MetroTurf Chairman and President Dr. Norberto Quisumbing Jr.
The event received support from prominent sponsors, including SM Development Corporation, Newport World Resorts, PCSO, DoubleDragon Properties, Pagcor, Boysen Paint, Willy Keh, Davies Paint, and HyperTech Wires & Cables.
Rep. Calixto, along with his son and Pasay councilor Mark Calixto, led the trophy presentation for the highlight event—the 11th Pasay ‘The Travel City’ Grand Cup. The race was won by Open Billing, ridden by jockey Pati Dilema, who later achieved a golden double by guiding Batang Manda to victory in the prestigious 2024 Presidential Gold Cup.
Open Billing, owned by Benhur Abalos Jr. and trained by Claudio Angeles, triumphed in the 1,800-meter race, claiming the P600,000 top prize. The runner-up, Magtotobetsky, earned P225,000, with Black Star finishing third for P125,000 and Wild Is The Wind fourth for P50,000. Earli Boating finished fifth, while Mimbalot Falls was scratched before the race.
In other highlights, Worshipful Master dominated the 11th Pasay City Representative Tony Calixto Cup, securing a P1-million prize. He triumphed over Bill Jordan to claim P600,000, while Diamond Heart and Authentikation rounded out the top four.
Meanwhile, Mando Dura, the heavy favorite owned by Dennis Tan and ridden by Kelvin Abobo, won the 11th Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano Cup, receiving the P300,000 top prize. In the 10th Former Pasay Mayor Duay Calixto Memorial Cup, Sunset Beauty clinched the P240,000 prize.
In the 7 Trophy Races, Light Bearer won the SMDC Trophy, Queen Margaux claimed the Newport World Resorts Trophy, and Tool of Choice topped the PCSO Trophy, among other winners.
Additionally, trainer Jesse Guce and jockey Mark Alvarez each won a 42-inch TV in a raffle for winning trainers and jockeys, while all winning grooms received a P3,000 cash bonus.
