May 2009

Race tax bill passes Lower House

By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 20 May 2009, Wednesday

 (Banner story on the Sports page. Last two paragraphs below omitted from published story due to space constraints.)

“It’s a landmark day for the racing industry.”

This was the comment of Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra yesterday when the House of Representatives Ways and Means and Games and Amusements Committees approved House Bill 4176 that he authored.

The law rationalizes direct taxes on exotic bets which at present make Philippine horseracing, taxed at 20%, among the highest-taxed even among its counterparts abroad. With other deductions such as those for track take and prize money, the total tax rate for exotic bets soars to about 35%.

Exotic bets include the Winner-Take-All, Pick 6, Pick 5, superfecta, supersix, pentafecta, quartet, and triple trifecta. Direct taxes on these are the documentary stamp tax at 10% and the tax on winnings at 10%.

Cong. Mitra’s bill, incorporating policy suggestions from the Philippine Racing Commission, will cut the taxes on exotic bets by half to mirror the present tax rate on special bets – daily double, forecast, double quinella, trifecta, daily double plus one, extra double, and win – which are taxed 5% for DST and 4% for tax on winnings.

In his presentation before the two House committees, Philracom chairman lawyer Jose Ferdinand Rojas II pointed out that every time taxes on racing were reduced, industry gross sales and government revenue increased. “When Executive Order 194 was passed in 1987,” said Rojas, “reducing direct taxes on special bets, gross sales reached a billion pesos for the first  time the following year. A positive impact was felt immediately.”

Slide from the Philracom presentation showing the tax structure that passed muster (highlighted in yellow).

He added that paradoxically, when taxes are increased, revenues plunged. This occurred several times – when Presidential Decree 1947 increased the DST to 10%; in 1984 when PD 1959 doubled the DST to 20%, causing racing operations to cease for a time due to the prohibitive tax burden; and in 1993 when Republic Act 7660 increased the DST from 5% to 10% on special bets.

According to House Games and Amusements Committee chairman and Manila congressman Amado Bagatsing, the bill “will greatly benefit the betting public because more funds will be available for payouts. This in turn would weaken illegal bookie operations because they would not be able to match the higher payouts that the racing clubs will give under this scheme.”

Tarlac congressman Jeci Lapus agreed, saying that “this will be a big boost to the development of the horseracing and breeding industry. Increased sales will be an incentive for more players to invest in the sport by way of horses, infrastructure, and off-track betting stations.”

Cong. Mitra expressed his pleasure on the support his bill received from his colleagues in the Lower House, saying, “We expect this to encourage wider public participation and an increase in probable stakeholders, leading to jobs generation for trainers, jockeys, grooms, and other workers in the industry, and other economic benefits.”

The bill still has to undergo the scrutiny of the Senate before it passes into law.   ***

Related stories:

THE HOARSE WHISPERER  By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today,  20 May 2009, Wednesday

Longshot Filly Grabs Crown

Fashioning a spectacular wire-to-wire win, gray filly Heaven Sent galloped to victory in the mile first leg of the Philippine Racing Commission Triple Crown championship series held at the Philippine Racing Club’s New Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite, last Sunday.

The stakes race and the two others in the prestigious championship trilogy are open only to elite Philippine-bred 3YO runners.

The Rita Pilapil-owned and Willy Fernandez-trained speedster steered by jockey Rodeo Fernandez broke quick out of the gate and took the lead. Despite hounding in the stretch by the favorite, the unbeaten chestnut colt Mr. Diamond, longshot Heaven Sent held off ten other opponents to earn the P1.8 million first prize.

Mr. Diamond came in second, good for P675,000; followed by Iconic and Dream Supreme as third and fourth placers, taking P375,000 and P150,000 respectively. Quarter times were 25-23′-24′-27′ for a total time of 1:40.6.

Awarding ceremony for the 1st leg Triple Crown: PRC EVP-COO Atty. Ramon P. Ereñeta, Philracom consultant Dr. Romy Buencamino, Philracom commissioner Dr. Eyo Fernando, jockey Rodeo Fernandez, PRC president Solomon Cua, and, also from Philracom, chairman Atty. Joy Rojas and commissioner Atty. Vic Tantoco. Behind them are trainer Willy Fernandez and the Tropang Heaven Sent (Rita Pilapil connections).

The breeder’s purse of P100,000 went to horseowner and breeder Jose Mari Franco, who matched the sire Heza Gone West to broodmare Kiss and Run to produce the outstanding filly.

Said trainer Willy Fernandez, “She’s a good horse who has done very well and we are confident of even better things from her.”

Rider Rodeo Fernandez said he was surprised that no other horse attempted to run head-to-head against Heaven Sent, which might have worn her out. Given her head at the far turn, she accelerated even farther and left the rallying Mr. Diamond to win by ¾ length.

Railbirds, running the race again in hindsight, commented that the failure of the other entries to run at or near the pace proved to be an advantage for Heaven Sent. “That’s the excitement of racing,” said a veteran jockey. “People learn their lessons and the scenario is bound to be different next time.” The second leg of the Triple Crown is set for June 14 also at NSAP.

The last filly to win a leg of the Triple Crown was Indelible Ink, who won the first leg in 2008 after a brilliant career as a juvenile. The year before that, Es Twenty Six won the third leg and went on to star in other major races. Will Heaven Sent do as well? Only time will tell.

Heaven Sent’s win mirrors the outcome of the G1 Preakness Stakes, run last May 16 at Pimlico Racecourse in Maryland. Superfilly Rachel Alexandra, who won the Kentucky Oaks for fillies two weeks before, scored by a length over the boys in the second leg of the US Triple Crown. Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby, came in second to the powerhouse filly steered by Calvin Borel, who also piloted Rachel Alexandra in the Oaks, and Mine That Bird in the Derby.

Rachel Alexandra was the first filly to have won the Preakness since 1924, and the first horse to win from the No. 13 outside stall. She garnered unanimous votes as the US National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s top 3YO.  With all her accomplishments, owner Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stable does not feel compelled to make her run the grueling distance of the Belmont S., third leg of the US Triple Crown, and at this time her participation in that race is still being considered.

Also last May 17 at NSAP, another filly led from start to finish in the local Triple Crown’s auxiliary race, the Philracom Hopeful Stakes. Herminio S. Esguerra’s Eternal Flame, ridden by Val Dilema and trained by Clarito Alvarez, did 1:41.6 for the mile to win the P600,000 first prize. Stablemate Blue Ocean checked in second. Princess Jacklyn was third and Action Sailor fourth.

Eternal Flame, a Strong Material-Tatler Cover bay filly, was bred by Esguerra at his showcase ranch in Batangas, Herma Farms and Stud.

Yet another stakes race sponsored by Philracom was held that same day, also with a wire-to-wire outcome. Don Enrico jumped cleanly from the gate to win the mile Emerald I S. by many lengths, earning P300,000.   ***

Related stories:

THE HOARSE WHISPERER  By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today,  13 May 2009, Wednesday

Triple Crown I on Sunday

It’s all systems go for the running of the 2009 Philippine Racing Commission-backed first leg of the Triple Crown trilogy. It is the most significant race series on the calendar for 3YO local-breds.

These three races test the quality and ability of the produce of Philippine thoroughbred breeders – did they match the right mare to the right stallion, taking into account the tail-female line, nicking, and other factors? This is where breeders’ questions are answered, where horseowners are vindicated for their choice, and where racing fans are treated to an incredible racing experience.

The TC1, its auxiliary race the Hopeful I Stakes, and the Emerald I Stakes will be run on May 17 at the Philippine Racing Club’s New Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.

Surrounded by a swirl of controversy two weeks ago for a number of accidents that occurred there, the track is being repaired by PRC’s racing department, in reaction to negative comments from horseowners, trainers, jockeys, and other racing stakeholders.

Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners president Mandaluyong Mayor lawyer Benhur Abalos, who had written a strongly-worded letter to PRC management after the “alarming” incidents last raceweek at NSAP, now commended the racing club for taking “prompt action” to fix the track surface.

“We are very pleased at the quick response of PRC,” said Abalos. “Our main concern here is for the safety of the jockeys rather than the horses and we trust that PRC continues the rehabilitation of their track to bring it to good racing condition.”

Veteran rider Antonio Alcasid Jr., president of the New Philippine Jockeys Association, said that so far, jockeys and exercise riders who work horses at NSAP have not reported any untoward incidents after repairs to the track surface were begun last week.

So, for the TC1 – who’s it going to be?

With one of the favorites, Go Army, scratched as early as Monday, it could be any of the remaining combatants – fillies Boudica, Heaven Sent, Virgin Liberty, and Windbeneathmywings, and colts Boni’s Gem, Batangas Baron, Creation, Dream Supreme, Go Navy (stablemate of Go Army), Iconic, Lively Dude, Mr. Akino, and Mr. Diamond.

Virgin Liberty, Boni’s Gem, and Dream Supreme, who have defeated Go Army in various matches, look good to do well in this mile race. Also one to consider is Mr. Diamond. Go Navy is likely to place.

The mile Hopeful I is a puzzle. Key Joshua was scratched, leaving Action Sailor, Bahala Na, Blue Ocean, Earresistable, Eternal Flame, Henry Sugar, Oko Boy, Princess Jacklyn, State Witness, Storm Gust, Tribal Queen, and Wind Turbulence.

Blue Ocean, a multiple stakes contender, will be one of the favorites here. Earresistable, who recently won a tune-up race in spanking style, should also get some votes, along with Henry Sugar and Tribal Queen.

The Emerald I is a four-horse affair with Tony de Ubago’s Chariot of Fire, Aristeo Puyat’s Cutting Edge, Lorraine Uy Wi’s Don Enrico, and Robert Yutadco’s Speed Almighty. This is anybody’s race, with Don Enrico perhaps having a slight edge.   ***

Related stories:

Go Army Out of Race

By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 12 May 2009, Tuesday

(Back sports page; last two paragraphs below omitted from published version)

 It’s a wide-open competition for Triple Crown I honors on May 17 at Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite, with the withdrawal of classy chestnut colt Go Army from the first leg of the most prestigious racing event for 3YO local thoroughbreds.

Go Army (Mr. Sutter – J’Approve), bred by his owner Herminio S. Esguerra at his own Herma Farms and Stud in Lipa, Batangas, earned top honors during his juvenile campaign last year.

Despite a string of setbacks this year that marred his perfect 2YO record, Go Army is still one of the best-regarded 3YO horses in the country and was considered as one of the favourites going into this summer’s Philippine Racing Commission-sponsored Triple Crown series.

Reliable sources confirmed that Go Army connections submitted the requisite scratching form at the Philracom office today. The reason for the scratching was given as “bruised sole”, a catch-all phrase that connotes an injury, soreness, or other condition that prevents a horse from running in optimum condition.

 Sources revealed that Go Army incurred an injury in one leg after running in a tune-up race last May 3 at Santa Ana Park, which he won. This was during the same racing week that saw thirteen horses injured at the track, with four of them eventually breaking down and having to be humanely destroyed. The poor track condition was blamed for Go Army’s stressed leg.

 Veteran jockey Antonio Alcasid Jr., who steered Go Army to victory in the tune-up race and was declared to partner him again in the Triple Crown I, will be riding Go Army’s stablemate Go Navy instead in that race.

 Two other Philracom stakes races will also be held on May 17 at Santa Ana Park. The Hopeful I, the auxiliary race to the Triple Crown, is less one competitor with the scratching of Key Joshua. The Bonifacio Mantilla-owned colt went lame after a workout last week.

 In the Emerald I, the final lineup includes four horses – Tony de Ubago’s Chariot of Fire, Aristeo Puyat’s Cutting Edge, Lorraine Uy Wi’s Don Enrico, and Roberto Yutadco’s Speed Almighty. ***

Related stories:

Track Condition Deplored

By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, Saturday, 9 May 2009

 (Banner story on the Sports page.)

The largest horseowners’ organization in the country reacted strongly to a spate of accidents that occurred last week at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite,

From Wednesday to Sunday last week, four horses incurred severe injuries that necessitated their humane destruction. On Wednesday, Sun Chaser suffered a complete compound fracture of the distal third metacarpal bone of the off-forelimb. On Saturday, Midnight King had a fracture of the humerus of the off shoulder and What About Andee, a complete compound fracture of the distal third cannon bone of the near-fore. On Sunday, Fantasy Angel suffered a dislocation of the fetlock joint on the off-fore.

Nine other horses – Time Deposit, Miss Malabon, Bumpy Johnson, Tiger Raffy, I Remain, Hugs and Kisses, Winking Eye, Raven, and Doña Marucha – were found to be limping after their races.

Worse were the injuries suffered by the jockeys – Mark Alvarez, unseated off Midnight King on Saturday, was unable to ride the rest of the weekend. Egay Lumagui, who fell off What About Andee on Saturday, is still in the ICU unit of M. V. Santiago Hospital in Trece Martirez, Cavite.

According to the New Philippine Jockeys’ Association, Lumagui suffered a blood clot in the brain and could not speak coherently or comprehend until yesterday. Today, one of his physicians, Dr. Pinky Isaac, says his condition has improved, and the clot is expected to diffuse on its own without need for surgery.

According to Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners president Mandaluyong Mayor lawyer Benhur Abalos, jockeys and trainers said heavy rains at the track last Thursday may have caused the sand of the track surface to settle unevenly, which could have led to the rash of accidents. 

Abalos sent a letter in behalf of MARHO to PRC management saying, “PRC needs to be more prudent with their safety measures. These accidents are very alarming.”

He added that the racing club needs to assure horseowners that their track is in a fit condition for this coming PRC racing week, especially since three Philippine Racing Commission-sponsored stakes races will be held there on May 17 – the Emerald I, the Hopeful I, and the highly-prestigious Triple Crown I for local 3YO horses.

MARHO director Jose Mari Franco lauded Abalos’ move, and noted that “horrendous” conditions at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite, also need to be investigated. “My horse Spanish Ruler hit a lubak there two weeks ago and suffered multiple slab fractures on the right knee and can never run again.” 

For their part, the racing clubs are acting to improve the condition of their tracks. The outer track of SLLP’s twin tracks have been undergoing rehabilitation for some weeks now, with repair of the inner track to follow.

PRC Racing Manager Dan Valmonte said that in coordination with jockeys Lyndon Guce and Edwin de la Cruz of the jockeys’ association, an inspection was made of their Santa Ana Park track a few days ago with the jockeys pointing to what they said were soft spots.

“We took up the surface at the spots they pointed out,” said Valmonte, “but we found nothing wrong with the layers; everything was intact.”

He added that the rains caused the track surface to harden. “What we will do is harrow the track with a roto-tiller to restore the surface to the condition it was before the rains – a bit soft. Track times may slow down, but we will do all we can to ensure the safety of race participants. Everything is being done to have the track ready for the next racing week.”   ***

Related stories:

THE HOARSE WHISPERER  By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 6 May 2009, Wednesday

 Triple Crown Countdown

It’s Triple Crown season and not just in the Philippines but also in the US. Last Saturday, at the historic Churchill Downs track in Louisville, Kentucky, the 135^th Kentucky Derby was staged in front of thousands of fans at the venue and millions more worldwide.

The winner of one of the most prestigious events in world thoroughbred racing was a 50-1 longshot, Mine That Bird. Steered by Calvin Borel, who had won the Kentucky Oaks for fillies the day before on favorite Rachel Alexandra, Mine That Bird pulled away from the 18 other runners in the stretch to score a 6-3/4 length victory, the second-biggest upset in Derby history.

Calvin Borel on Rachel Alexandra in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks. (Photo by Jamie Squire, Getty Images)

Going up against stellar combatants, among them Pioneer of the Nile, Friesan Fire, and Godolphin entries Regal Ransom and Desert Party, Mine That Bird was dismissed in the morning line analyses. A Kentucky-bred progeny of 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone from Smart Strike mare Mining My Own, he was a champion 2YO in Canada but came into the Kentucky Derby as a longshot.

The mud-splattered tandem of Calvin Borel and Mine That Bird win the 2009 Kentucky Derby. (Photographer unknown)

Horseowners and breeders should give attention to the lineage of this horse, and Rachel Alexandra’s as well. The latter, who won the KY Oaks by over 20 lengths, the most spectacular performance in Oaks history, is by Medaglia d’Oro out of Lotta Kim by Roar. A common ancestor is Mr. Prospector. He is the sire of Smart Strike, and the grandsire of Roar. This might give a boost to local stallions with heavy Mr. Prospector blood in their pedigrees.

In our version of the Triple Crown, the first leg will be run at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park on May 17. Last raceweek at PRC, many of the participants began tuning up for both the Philippine Racing Commission-sponsored 1^st leg TC and its auxiliary race, the Hopeful Stakes.

Go Army, a 2YO champion, was regarded last season as having the best chance to dominate this series for local-bred 3YO. But he suffered several defeats under jockeys Jonathan Hernandez and Patricio Dilema. In those races, the colt was made to run near the pace, playing tag with the frontrunner, resulting in a loss of steam down the stretch.

Go Army ran in a Class 4 Division 2-AB race last Sunday at Santa Ana Park with a different rider – Antonio Alcasid Jr. Known as a come-from-behind stylist, Alcasid played it cool, allowing sprinter Oko Boy to set the pace while running off the pace in third, four lengths off the leader.

Alcasid stepped on the gas at the far turn and grabbed the lead going into the home turn. Go Army blazed down the stretch under heavy whipping, and the tandem executed a revenge win by two lengths over tenacious filly Virgin Liberty, also tuning up for the 1^st leg TC and who had beat Go Army in March 29′s Aquamarine II Stakes.

While some track pundits feel that Go Army is burned out, the change in handling strategy helped this time. But sources say that Go Army gave his all in that race on Sunday. He needs to rest and build up more endurance to face other tough rivals, some of whom have beaten him before, like Boni’s Gem, Batangas Baron, and Dream Supreme.

Go Army warming up before the April 26 Diamond II S. at San Lazaro Leisure Park. Steered by Patricio Dilema, he came in second to Boni’s Gem, who won by two. (Photo by Benjie Papa/MJC)

Other runners nominated to the 1^st leg Triple Crown are fillies Boudica, Heaven Sent, and Windbeneathmywings, and colts Creation, Go Navy (stablemate of Go Army), Iconic, Lively Dude, Mr. Akino, and Mr. Diamond.

For the 1^st leg Hopeful S., the nominated entries are Action Sailor, Bahala Na, Blue Ocean, Earresistable, Eternal Flame, Henry Sugar, Key Joshua, Oko Boy, Princess Jacklyn, State Witness, Storm Gust, Tribal Queen, and Wind Turbulence.

Both these stakes races will be run over 1,600 meters.   ***

Related stories: