World Racing

THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 2 June 2010, Wednesday

Triple Crown and Hopeful 2

“Let’s get ready to rrrumble…!”

Alright, so that’s Michael Buffer’s trademarked catchphrase for boxing. But after several weeks’ hiatus from major racing events, the excitement of racing fans has revved up to fever pitch for this weekend’s one-two punch of stakes matches.

In the Philippines, local-bred 3YO are gearing to get it on in the second legs of the Philippine Racing Commission’s Hopeful – June 5 – and Triple Crown – June 6 – at Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.

In the 1,800-meter Hopeful second leg are colts Chinoi with jockey Virgilio Camañero, King Bearhart (Jordan Cordova), Shining Armour (Kelvin Abobo), and Si Señor (Mark Alvarez). The fillies are Elusive Cat (Karvin Malapira), Gold Mine (Ronald Baldonido), Ice Storm (Red de Leon), Open Slew (Jesse Guce), Speed Spell (Jhemo Tinte), The Chairwoman (Fernando Raquel), and Thief In the Nite (Jonathan Hernandez). Lepanto and Milenyo, both nominated, were not declared.

In the Triple Crown second leg, also 1,800 meters, are colts Invincible with jockey Kelvin Abobo, Lakota Creek (Dominador Borbe), Righthererightnow (John Alvin Guce), Scotland Yard (Jeffril Zarate), Thotis Best (Patty Dilema), and first leg winner Yes Pogi (Fernando Raquel). The lone filly is Well Well Well (Jonathan Hernandez).

Since these are “set weight” races, all colts will carry 54 kgs., fillies 52 kgs.

In the Hopeful, I’m giving a big chance to Shining Armour, who ran in the first leg of the Triple Crown. He wore down Brother Barack, whom we won’t see this weekend. Speed Spell and The Chairwoman are fast; stayer Ice Storm could place.

In the Triple Crown, I’m expecting Yes Pogi to once more hang back at the back of the pack and execute a heart-stopping rally down the stretch to win in the nick of time. He did that in the Philracom Chairman’s Cup last March and again in the first leg of the Triple Crown last month. His running style may give supporters cardiac arrhythmia with the suspense, but I’m putting all my money on this gutsy gray colt.

Well Well Well, who copped second place in the first leg, is one to watch carefully here. Don’t ignore Righthererightnow who placed fourth. Lakota Creek came in third in the Chairman’s Cup and could do better this go-round. That’s my quartet bet right there.

In the American arena, the last leg of the US Triple Crown is on June 5. The Belmont Stakes is 1-1/2 miles long (2,400 meters) and is the toughest of the three legs. This year’s edition features Kentucky Derby contender Ice Box as the morning-line favorite, with neither Derby winner Super Saver nor Preakness victor Lookin’ at Lucky joining the race.

Completing the 12-horse field are First Dude, Make Music For Me, Stately Victor, Drosselmeyer, Dave in Dixie, Interactif, Fly Down, Game On Dude, Spangled Star, Stay Put, and Uptowncharleybrown.

Look forward to more Philracom stakes races in the coming weeks: The 1,200-meter first legs of the Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile Colts stakes on June 26 and 27 respectively at Santa Ana Park, and the killer 2,000-meter third legs of the Hopeful and Triple Crown, July 17 and 18 respectively, at San Lazaro Leisure Park. All are set-weight races.

With occasional rains already here, expect the track at Naic to get a bit harder and yield faster times this weekend. Will time records be broken? I doubt it, considering the scuffling that will go on down the stretch; runners will be too busy with their fancy footwork. Still, as with all horse races, ‘anything goes’ and a new fighter could emerge the victor in the upcoming battles. “Let’s get ready to rrrace…!” Okay, I trademark that! ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER  By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today,  19 May 2010, Wednesday

Getting His Preak On

It’s all quiet on the local front, with the next salvo of major races still to come on June 5 and 6 at Santa Ana Park – the second legs of the Philippine Racing Commission Triple Crown and Hopeful stakes series.

From a mile distance some weeks back, the distance for these coming races will be lengthened to 1,800 meters. The third test will be the most formidable challenge, at 2,000m. Which is why we don’t always see Triple Crown sweeps happen. A horse has to be frightfully good over several distances, flexible and with great stamina and endurance, to cop all three legs.

Our horses don’t lack for courage and heart, but when you’ve specialized as a miler, or don’t have what it takes to go the extra several hundred meters, there’s no chance to earn that most coveted of honors.

So let’s turn our attention to the world stage. The Preakness Stakes, second leg of the US Triple Crown, was run last Saturday. Unlimited beer overflowed in the infield. As a tactic to attract patrons, along with racy “Get Your Preak On” ads, it worked to bring in the attendance, but not quite the handle of former years. That’s not surprising considering the world economic recession. More on that later.

Still, interest was high, after jockey Calvin Borel confidently said that his mount Super Saver would win the race. The tandem won the rain-drenched Kentucky Derby by riding the rail in tried-and-tested Borel fashion.

Yet conditions were different at the Preakness. It was sunny, and the track at Pimlico Racecourse in Maryland was dry. This time around, Borel drew a center post position and did not get to the rail, his signature style. Preakness honors went to the KY Derby favorite Lookin at Lucky, who did the 1-3/16 miles in 1:55.47.

Martin Garcia on Lookin at Lucky win the 2010 Preakness. (Image: Kim Hairston/MCT, from www.sfgate.com)

In the KY Derby, Lookin at Lucky did poorly in the slop, coming in sixth with rider Garrett Gomez. One factor that may have contributed to Lookin at Lucky’s better performance in the Preakness was a change of rider. Trainer Bob Baffert earned his fifth Preakness win with newcomer Martin Garcia, 25, who rode Conveyance to a 15^th-place finish in the KY Derby.

Garcia’s story is heartwarming. He arrived in the US in 2003, and worked as a grill cook in a San Francisco deli, serving up spicy specials. The deli owner, Terri Terry, learned that Garcia grew up around horses in his hometown of Veracruz, Mexico. Sometime later he got a chance to ride Terri’s 14-yo gray mare, and showed off natural talent in handling horses which impressed his boss, who found an opportunity for him to work in Bay Area tracks.

Terri and Martin at the deli. (Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images from www.sfgate.com)

Even as he developed his uncanny riding skills – a former trainer at Bay Meadows called him “a freak of nature” – Garcia still put in hours at the deli, working hard at both jobs. Five years into his riding career, his name is now etched in history books. A meteoric rise indeed.

He now lives near Santa Anita Park in Southern California, but once in a while visits the deli where he had his start. “He is very fine with the steaks on the grill,” said his friend Rigo Perez, a cook at the deli. “He adds some spices that are really good.” On and off the track, look for spicy moves from Martin Garcia, sure to boot more winners in the future.

Martin Garcia. (Image: TVG Interactive Horseracing at www.watchmojo.com)

I’m amazed. A talented horseman who can cook? I want one!

Super Saver and Lookin at Lucky are not competing in the June 5 1-1/2 miles Belmont Stakes, third leg of the US Triple Crown. Once more, this leaves the field wide open and it will be interesting to handicap this one. Will it be the Nick Zito-trained Ice Box? Or Baffert’s Martin Garcia-steered Game On Dude?

Sadly, financial woes are threatening to close down the non-profit corporation New York Racing Association, some say as soon as the day after the Belmont Stakes.  The NYRA has been operating since the 1950s and has the franchise to run Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga until 2033. If it closes, it will mean the loss of 2,000 backstretch jobs and the displacement of 3,000 horses.

www.nyra.com

Many tracks in the US have closed over the past several years due to financial declines, bringing an end to historic places and casting a gloom over sport. A recovery back to the Golden Age of racing seems highly unlikely at this time.

For once, we can look over the local version of the sport and be glad that it is still economically viable at this time, and the people who look to it for their livelihoods may be assured of their jobs at least for years to come.

Racing fans, too, may look forward to the second and third legs of the Philippine Triple Crown, showcasing local-bred runners, while tipping their glasses to the memory of the grand old American tracks that made the sport what it is today. ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today,  5 May 2010, Wednesday

Born to Ride

“I was born to ride, baby.”

In such simple terms did jockey Calvin Borel describe to a TV interviewer how he guided Super Saver to victory in this year’s Kentucky Derby, held last Saturday at Churchill Downs in front of 155,804 spectators.

Borel’s achievements in the Derby so far are among the most momentous in the sport. He won the race twice before – with Street Sense in 2007 and Mine that Bird last year. This makes his present victory his third Derby win in only four years.

Mine That Bird was sent off as a 50-1 longshot and ran in last position for most of the race on a muddy track, in conditions similar to this year. Just as he did with Street Sense, Borel guided Mine That Bird along the rail to win pulling away by several lengths.

However, this year’s edition of the Derby, first leg of the US Triple Crown, was marred by rain. The track was sloppy, though still firm underneath the mud. In the morning line, Super Saver was a longshot, but by the time the race ran, was second favorite to Lookin at Lucky. Fans reckoned on Super Saver’s familiarity with the track, reputation as a “mudder” (ability to run on a wet or sloppy track), and Borel’s near-magical skills.

He had won a race in the undercard the same day as the Derby, steering Zimmer beside the rail, despite four other horses winning by going along the center or outside of the track on the stretch, leading many to assume a track bias.

Again, “Bo-rail” waved his magic whip, guided Super Saver fence-side under heavy whipping in the final stages of the one-and-a-half mile race (about 2,400 meters), and beat Ice Box to the finish line by a length and a half, relegating Paddy O’Prado to third.

Borel guides Super Saver along the rail. (AP)

Make Music For Me came in fourth. Lookin at Lucky, the favorite, hampered by a poor post position, placed sixth. Another early favorite, Sidney’s Candy, came in fourth to last in a field of twenty. Total time for the race was 2:04.45.

It was trainer Todd Pletcher’s first Derby win in 28 starts. The trainer praised his jockey, saying, “Calvin Borel is a great rider anywhere he goes, but at Churchill Downs he’s even five lengths better.” Another entry of Pletcher’s, Eskendereya, was expected to be the race’s heavy favorite but was scratched before the race due to injury.

It’s three Derbies in four years for Calvin “Bo-rail”. (Matt Slocum/AP)

Asked about his penchant for running by the rail, Borel shrugged. “I was just taught it’s the shortest way around.”

Winstar Farms, owner of Super Saver, have decided to run their talented colt in the May 15 Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

In the Kentucky Oaks for fillies, which ran last Friday, Rafael Bejarano steered favorite Blind Luck to a photo finish over Evening Jewel. Blind Luck’s trainer and co-owner Jerry Hollendorfer had opted not to run his filly in the more competitive Derby – a wise choice for his filly, who won by a slim nostril. She covered the mile-and-an-eighth (1,800 meters) race in 1:50.70.

It’s Rafael Bejerano and Blind Luck at the Oaks! (Matt Slocum/AP)

These results excite local racing fans even as the sport here enters its own Triple Crown season. The first leg, sponsored by the Philippine Racing Commission, is set for Sunday, May 9, at Santa Ana Park.

Nine entries are entered in the mile race for elite 3YO – colts Brother Barack, Consolidator, Righthererightnow, Scotland Yard, Shining Armour, Thoti’s Best, and Yes Pogi, all carrying 54 kgs.; and fillies Kristal’s Beauty and Well Well Well, to carry 52 kgs.

The race is considered wide-open, with Consolidator having an edge after winning a magnificent tuneup run two weeks ago by 13 lengths. Watch out for Yes Pogi and Well Well Well to shine. Righthererightnow and Scotland Yard may place.

Just like their American counterparts, Philippine jockeys are born to ride. But who among them will emerge a victor like Calvin Borel? We’ll be finding out the answer to that in just a few more days. *** (Twitter: @gogirlracing)

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today,  28 April 2010, Wednesday

Triple Crown Sweep Unlikely

It’s a sign that Philippine breeding is improving and racing becoming more competitive, with the lack of a sure contender for three-year-old honors in the summer’s Triple Crown competition.

The Philippine Racing Commission-sponsored trilogy of races showcases elite 3YO local-breds. In years past, there would always be one or two runners who clearly outclassed the rest – Fair and Square, Sun Dancer, and Real Top, to name a few. But since Silver Story did it in 2001, no horse has swept all three legs of the event.

A sweep is now considered rare enough for the Philracom to offer a P500,000 bonus prize to whoever achieves it. This year, it seems like the purse will go unclaimed once again.

Over the past few weeks, horses nominated for the Triple Crown and its auxiliary race, the Hopeful Stakes, have been running in prep races. Among those who won their preps and are emerging as likely favorites are Consolidator and Yes Pogi in the Triple Crown on May 9, and Lakota Creek, Thief in the Nite, Hot, and Queen of Class in the Hopeful on May 8, both at Santa Ana Park.

In mile races last weekend at Santa Ana Park, Eric Tagle’s Thief in the Nite ran wire-to-wire to win by five lengths, Sandy Javier’s Hot came from behind in an easy win, and Jun Almeda’s Consolidator destroyed the field to win by 13 lengths.

The latter’s impressive run tagged it as a likely favorite for the Triple Crown, yet Consolidator ran against a lesser field of Hopeful wannabes. It’ll be a different scenario come the actual race.

Gray filly Heaven Sent won the 2009 Triple Crown first leg.

Mirroring the openness of the local Triple Crown is the US version. Eskendereya, early favorite for the Kentucky Derby on May 1, was scratched the other day after incurring an injury. The “Run for the Roses”, first jewel of the US Triple Crown, is now anybody’s race.

An annual event since 1875, held on the first Saturday in May, the KY Derby attracts horseracing fans from all over the world, some dressed in their best outfits, others in their wackiest hats.

(Image from hairstyle-blog.com)

They come to savor the mint juleps, engage in horse racing betting, and watch the finest horses in the country race for honors in one of the most historic and prestigious events in the world.

The field for this year’s edition includes: American Lion, Awesome Act, Conveyance, Dean’s Kitten, Devil May Care,   Discreetly Mine, Dublin, Endorsement, Homeboykris, Ice Box, Interactif, Jackson Bend, Line of David, Lookin at Lucky, Make Music For me, Mission Impazible, Noble’s Promise, Paddy O’Prado, Setsuko, Sidney’s Candy, Stately Victor, and Super Saver. (The scratches were Eskendereya, Rule, and Endorsement.)

Last year’s KY Derby was won by Mine that Bird with Calvin Borel on top. Rallying from last place, the tandem sneaked unnoticed by the rail, a tactic the jockey is known for, hence his nickname “Bo-rail”. Even the race announcer did not mention his name until he was three lengths in front and less than a hundred meters from the wire. The “monumental upset” was the second biggest in Derby history. This led to a surge in interest in Kentucky Derby betting.

This year, Bo-rail is riding Super Saver. However, it is the Bob Baffert-trained Lookin at Lucky that may be the likeliest contender, along with Sidney’s Candy who has beaten him before.

Lookin at Lucky, 2Y0 champion in 2009, started his 2010 season by winning the Rebel Stakes. He later placed third in the Santa Anita Derby. (Image from bobbaffert.com)

Both here and in the US, the Triple Crown is up for grabs by the best – and the luckiest. Given a good break from the gate, a gap in the wall of horses, and a clear path to the wire, any of the competitors may gain the gold and the glory.

A sweep? Not likely, but it would be fantastic if it happens. In any case, going by the excellent quality of thoroughbreds nowadays, horseracing as a sport is the clear winner. And that’s as good as a sweep. ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today,  31 March 2010, Wednesday

PCSO Silver Cup

“In the spring, a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of…” the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Silver Cup. That’s how it is in horseracing, at least, when punters look forward to this classic race for elite thoroughbreds.

Traditionally held in honor of the sitting president’s spouse, the Silver Cup is open to local horses and is set for April 18 at San Lazaro Leisure Park, according to sources from the PCSO.  Declaration of entries begins next week.

Since the crème de la crème 3YO are gearing up for the Triple Crown series to kick off on May 9, older horses are expected to be the stars of the 15^th edition of this glittering event.

Some horseowners and trainers, though, are concerned that the announcement of the race came less than a month before the event, giving them not enough time to prepare.  Perhaps a move to late April or mid-May should be considered.

Things have been quiet on the local racing front lately, with no other major stakes races in the offing. The attention of racing fans is now focused on the more active international scene. In the richest race in the world, the US$10 million Dubai World Cup (G1), held last Saturday at the billion-dollar showcase Meydan Track, Gloria de Campeao ran wire-to-wire to demolish a field of thirteen other runners to win a place in history.

Held for the first time on an all-weather (Tapeta) surface, the 1-1/4 mile (2,000 meter) race saw runners from all over the world converge for the glamorous Dubai Racing Carnival.  An example of the multiculturality of the event was the winner and his connections. The 6YO Gloria de Campeoao is Brazilian-bred, sired by Argentine stallion Impression, owned by Swedish horseman Stefan Friborg, and conditioned by French trainer Pascal Bary.

Impression, foaled in 1996, is a gray by Rubiano out of Improbable Lady. Rubiano was a son of Fappiano from the Northern Dancer line. Improbable Lady’s great-grandsire was Bold Ruler, sire of the great Secretariat. Her dam’s great grand-sire was Nasrullah, sire of Bold Ruler. This lineage gives Gloria de Campeao a double dose of Nasrullah from the dam side, with a dash of Mr. Prospector and Nijinsky (Can) on the sire side. This prestigious bloodline may be the source of Gloria de Campeao’s stamina and endurance.

Analysts say that it was the horse’s campaign at Meydan over the winter that gave him an edge in the Dubai Cup owing to familiarity with the track and the surface.

Gloria de Campeao noses out Lizard’s Desire and Allybar for the win. (photo by Rabih Moghrabi/Reuters)

In other news, the racing industry bids farewell to lawyer David B. Puyat, brother of horseman Raymund B. Puyat, a former director of the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners. Atty. Puyat’s name is familiar to racegoers, as there were several horses registered in his name. He was an alumnus of the University of the Philippines, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees. ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today,  17 March 2010, Wednesday

Triple Crown, Anybody’s Race!

When the dust had cleared after the 2010 Philippine Racing Commission Chairman’s Cup held at San Lazaro Leisure Park last Sunday, railbirds unanimously agreed – the Philracom Triple Crown series this summer is wide open to all comers.

Seen as a tuneup for the first leg of the TC on May 9 at Santa Ana Park, the 1,500-meter race attracted twelve local-bred 3YO (likely favorite Carriedo was scratched prior to the race due to stress), with classy competitors Well Well Well, Righthererightnow, and Kristal’s Beauty deemed to be among the favorites.

Most of the horses broke cleanly at the start, except for Yes Pogi who was pinched by another horse coming out. The colt, under the guidance of jockey Fernando Raquel Jr., raced in last for most of the race. To everyone’s surprise, he rallied at the far turn, swung wide to avoid traffic, and won the lead by half a length, beating Righthererightnow to the finish. Lakota Creek, who was caught in traffic, settled for third.

Yes Pogi (Rum Tum Tiger-Belle Epoque), bred by Herma Farms and Stud, now has an elevated reputation and will go into the prestigious summer series as one of the ones to watch.

In the Philracom Commissioner’s Cup last Saturday also at SLLP, it was a showdown once more between track rivals Don Enrico and Ibarra, with stakes contenders Shining Fame and Hieroglyphics added to the mix. Don Enrico had won the last encounter against Ibarra, and the latter was looking for redemption.

This time, it was Ibarra’s turn to win a trophy as he staged a magnificent wire-to-wire performance over 1,900 meters, relegating the spent Don Enrico to third, with plucky gray Hieroglyphics romping home second and Shining Fame last. Ibarra, steered by Philippine Sportswriters Association Jockey of the Year Jesse Guce, won by nearly four lengths and once more stamped his class in his group.

Ibarra’s owner, Mandaluyong mayor Benhur Abalos, credited his horse’s win to tuneups that it had participated in prior to this stakes race. “I thank the Philracom,” said Mayor Abalos, “for ensuring that horses in all groups – including the highest group in which Ibarra is included – have a chance to run and prepare for the bigger races this season.”

Philracom chairman lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II said that ensuring “competitive arenas for all groups is part of Philracom’s mandate to promote and improve the sport.” He also mentioned that both stakes races that weekend were in honor of past Philracom officials – former chairman and horseowner Andrew Sanchez, and commissioner Lyndon Guce, a veteran jockey.

Apart from these interesting local races, racing fans also kept an eye on two significant world racing events – the first races in 2010 of supermares Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra last Saturday in the United States.

The 6YO Zenyatta won her first race for the year at Santa Anita Park, and stretches her undefeated record to 15 wins. The 4YO Rachel Alexandra, who was awarded last year’s Eclipse Horse of the Year honors, came in a disappointing second in her run in The Fairgrounds at New Orleans. She lost to Zenyatta stablemate Zardana.

Zenyatta, who won last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, and Rachel Alexandra, who beat the boys in the Preakness and Haskell, are acknowledged the world’s finest horses at present.

They were both preparing for the Apple Blossom Invitational on April 9 in Arkansas. However, with Rachel Alexandra’s loss, her connections have decided to withdraw her from the Apple Blossom showdown. Fans are now asking – “So who’s the real Horse of the Year?”    ***

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The two best horses in the world – Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra – face off on April 9 in the $5 million Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn in Arkansas. THIS IS RACING.

Click on the link to watch a fantastic fan promo video. Watch with headphones, volume high, full screen.

Zenyatta v. Rachel Alexandra – The Best

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER  By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today.  22 July 2009, Wednesday

US and HK Racing

Two big tracks for thoroughbred racing remain in the Los Angeles, California area – Hollywood Park in Inglewood and Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. I visited the latter a couple of weeks ago and was fortunate enough to be toured around the facilities by Santa Anita Park president Ron Charles.

Mr. Charles has visited the Philippines many times, and is often consulted by local industry members on best practices relating to track operations, maintenance, and sales.

He showed me around his racetrack on a sunny morning. Though there was no race meeting there as yet – their season won’t start again until September – they were simulcasting races from other tracks around the country, including Hollywood Park, which ended their season last Sunday.

As early as 11 am on the day of my visit, there were already a sprinkling of patrons on the premises, hunched over their Daily Racing Forms and busy picking winners.

Santa Anita Park was established in 1934 and its buildings, original to the period, are well-maintained. Its Frontrunner restaurant, with 400 square feet of space that can accommodate 500 guests, is famed among aficionados for the California cuisine. Patrons enjoy drinks at a 215-foot long bar. The park also has a VIP room that celebrities frequent. In times gone by, Frank Sinatra and Doris Day have been guests there.

 But the most important part of any racing facility is the track itself. We inspected the Pro-Ride all-weather surface, crumbling the surface material in our fingers. It’s made of sand mixed with rubber and fibers bound with wax.

Unlike ordinary dirt surfaces, which are composed of layers of sand, a synthetic surface does not retain imprints and bounces back from impact. Sand surfaces are marred by divots and hoofprints which remain and may cause injuries when another horse steps in them. For this reason they require frequent harrowing to level the surface.

According to Mr. Charles, they have received good reviews for this surface, as compared to the Cushion-Track brand of synthetic surface they used in 2007, which had to be taken up after drainage problems. Santa Anita Park also has turf and dirt tracks, but the latter is not used often.  

I returned to Manila last week, in time to help entertain a group of 15 racing journalists from Hong Kong, along with two public relations officers of the HK Jockey Club – Priscilla Chan and Joseph Yip.

Philippine Racing Commission chairman lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas, veterinarian Jojo Cambay, staffers Rhed Sarmiento and Icon Calivara, and I took them for a day tour last Sunday of racing facilities.

The first stop was the thoroughbred breeding ranch of former Batangas governor Armand Sanchez. His ACS Farm has 28 broodmares from Australia, all in foal, and a stallion imported from the US – Jazz Club (Dixieland Band – Hidden Garden, by Mr. Prospector).

Apart from horses, ostriches are also raised on the farm, for their flavorful meat, feathers, and shells which are made into lamps and other handicrafts.

The delegates enjoyed the roast wild boar and turkey served for lunch, which 2010 presidentiable senator Manny Villar attended, along with senator Allan Peter Cayetano and lawyer Adel Tamano, who revealed plans to run for public office under the Nacionalista ticket next year.

From the ranch, the delegates proceeded to watch the third leg of the Philippine Triple Crown at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite. Tough gray filly Heaven Sent (Heza Gone West-Kiss and Run) trounced the classy 3YO field, winning by three lengths. Congratulations to owner Rita Pilapil, trainer Willy Fernandez, and rider Rodeo Fernandez.

The HK racing journalists were all praises for the track, where they had an excellent afternoon of races and food with warm Filipino hospitality.

From LA to HK to the Philippines, the sport binds the various horseracing communities of the world as one.   *** (Web: http://jennyo.net)

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 THE HOARSE WHISPERER  By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today,  8 July 2009, Wednesday

Southern California Racing

Los Angeles, California  – On a visit to family and friends in the San Francisco area last week, I was told that the nearest racetrack, Bay Meadows in San Mateo, had been shut down since August 2008. Nothing was left of the historic track founded in 1934 save for piles of debris and junk.

It was crushing to hear that the track upon which Seabiscuit won the Bay Meadows Handicap in back-to-back years (1937 and 1938), where legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker started his racing career (in 1948), and which was once the longest continually operating track in California, is now only a cleared piece of real estate, to be developed with condominiums, malls, parks, and business offices.  

Here in the Los Angeles area, two racetracks are still operating – Hollywood Park and Santa Anita Park.  Hollywood Park is just a few miles away from the Los Angeles International Airport.  The summer race meeting started April 22 and willl end on July 19, with night racing on Fridays beginning at 7 pm and afternoon action on Thursdays and the weekend from 1 pm.

Last Sunday, jockey Kent Desormeaux, winner of the 2009 Belmont Stakes with Summer Bird, rode to victory in the $700,000 American Oaks on Gozzip Girl. The big-money turf race drew a lineup of international contenders and was one of the most-cheered races on the card that day, with fans roaring as the Eastern-based filly crossed the finish line firt.

Santa Anita Park in Arcadia is the oldest racetrack in SoCal, having opened its doors to patrons on Christmas Day 1934. Seabiscuit also raced here – he won the 1940 Santa Anita Handicap in his last start. It is also home to the G1 stakes races Santa Anita Derby and Santa Anita Oaks.

In 2007, park parent company Magna Entertainment, in compliance with a State of California directive to install a synthetic-surface track to protect horses, installed a Cushion Track surface in 2007. A drainage problem resulted in a switch to a Pro-Ride all-weather surface last year.

There are no race meetings there at present – their season ended last April – but the track offers simulcasting of Hollywood Park races and their restaurants such as the Frontrunner draw many patrons during racing days.      The Breeders’ Cup event will be held here in the first week of November. The popular and prestigious racing festival, which attracts fields of international runners, adds luster to the track’s racing calendar and will be one of its crowd-drawers this year.

While maintaining a sense of history, the two SoCal tracks of Hollywood Park and Santa Anita Park feature innovations and facilities that continue to draw loyal fans and curious sports fanatics.  Will Philippine racing do as well in the years to come?   ***

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