horses

THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 25 August 2010, Wednesday

Of Lakambinis and Broken Records

It’s a rule of thumb in handicapping (choosing winners in horseracing) to opt for a colt or male horse over a filly or mare. It’s just one of those things, like taking a sprinter over a stayer in short distance races, stayers over sprinters in mid- to long-distance battles, and bays over grays and roans in bright day races.

To remove the gender factor, there are “distaff” races open only to fillies and mares, such as the Philippine Racing Commission’s annual Lakambini Stakes for local-bred 3YO fillies. Horseowners with high quality fillies take the effort and time to prepare their horses for this big-money stakes race that is usually run over a long distance.

This year it was run over 1,800 meters at Santa Ana Park last Sunday, with a slate of talented thoroughbreds coming out of their stables to compete for first prize of P720,000 put up by the Philracom, which also allotted prizes for second to fourth and for the winning breeder.

First out of the gate was the heavy favorite, Eric Tagle’s Thief in the Nite, with Cito Esquivias’s Empire Glory running off the pace. Longshot Ma’am Mika ran in third, moving up in the backstretch to grab second position before the far turn.

At the top of the stretch, Thief in the Nite was still in front but fading, allowing Ma’am Mika to take the lead. Third choice Redemption, guided by top rider Jesse Guce, staged a powerful rally in the final eighty meters to win by a length over Jun Molina’s Ma’am Mika. EB King’s Bilyonarya took third, C&H Enterprises’ Westerly Wind fourth. Total time for the race was 1:53.6.

Owned by Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos, Redemption is trained by Ruben Tupas. Sired by Sailaway out of American mare Fire Down Under, Redemption is half-sister to Mayor Abalos’s champion Ibarra, which was sired by a Cherokee Run progeny, Yonaguska.

In another special race also last Sunday, the mile-long Samahang Plaridel Race, second favorite Hot Shout, owned by Tito de Jesus’s Rolling Green Farms and ridden by John Alvin Guce, clocked 1:41 to win over placers Tiger Moon, Lakota Creek, and Okay Approve.

In last Thursday’s 2^nd Mayor Ramon Bagatsing Memorial Raceday, the two 1,700 meter highlight races proved exciting with the record for that distance being broken within both races.

It’s “Horses out!” for one of the Mayor Bagatsing Day special races.

In the Division I Bagatsing Cup, third pick Thoti’s Best, steered by Daniel Camanero,  scored an upset over heavy favorite Yes Pogi and close second choice Carriedo. The time for the race was a record 1:45. Two races later, in the Division II, the Jeff Zarate-piloted Batang Tundo set the track on fire with a blistering 1:43.

Thoti’s Best flashes past Carriedo in the RDB Cup – Div I.

Though low-key compared to last year’s week-long event debut, the Bagatsing Raceday was special, with recognition given to winning grooms via cash prizes of P1,500. Sponsors Euromed, Red Bull, and Pocari Sweat had giveways packs for winning owners, trainers, jockeys, and grooms.

JennyO interviews Cong. Amado Bagatsing on the live cable TV coverage.

Meanwhile, the nomination of yearlings to the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners racing program will be accepted until October 31. A general assembly and election of officers will be held in the first or second week of September.

All in all, these are interesting times for the sport, with annual events being sustained by their founders and sponsors despite tight economic times. ***

All photos by Joselito Vilella.

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 18 August 2010, Wednesday

Bagatsing Cup and Lakambini Stakes

On August 19, the racing community will commemorate the late great consummate horseman Manila mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Sr. on his birth anniversary for his contributions to the sport.

His sons Manila congressman Amado Bagatsing and former congressman lawyer Ramon “Dondon” Bagatsing Jr. initiated a racing festival in honor of their father last year. It was well supported by fellow horsemen and outside sponsors, pointing to the warm affection people feel until today for the late mayor.

Now an annual event, the 2^nd Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Memorial Racing Day will be held at Santa Ana Park, home of the Philippine Racing Club in Naic, Cavite. There will be eight races on the card, with the highlights being the 2010 Philracom-Mayor Ramon Bagatsing Memorial Cup divisions I and II, both 1,700 meters and sponsored by the Philippine Racing Commission.

Said Philracom chair lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, “The Commission gladly supports this event that revives the Gran Copa de Manila races that were a special project of the late mayor to boost the popularity of the sport.”

The RDB Cup I is for 3YO local horses. Handicapping rules are male horses to carry 54 kgs, female 52 kgs. Guaranteed prizes total P700,000 allocated as follows:  1^st – P420,000; 2^nd – P157,500; 3^rd- P87,500; 4^th; 35,000.

In the lineup are Air of Distinction, Carriedo, Thoti’s Best, Yes Pogi, and Real Winner, making this look like a Triple Crown battle.

The RDB Cup II pits imported and local 3YO and older horses with guaranteed prizes totaling P500,000 allocated as follows: 1^st – P300,000; 2^nd – P112,500; 3^rd- P62,500; 4^th; 25,000.

The entries are Batang Tundo, Dailies, Gentle Irony, Juggling Act, Mooney Money, Multiply, and Fierce Fighter.

In both races there will be trophies for the winning owner, trainer, jockey, and breeder.

There are also to be six trophy races each with added P50,000 and trophy for  the winner only: the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office TR, the Herma Farms & Stud TR, two PAGCOR TRs, and two SMART Communications TRs.

Winning grooms will each receive P1,500 cash for each winning groom, while Red Bull and Pocari Sweat energy drink packs will be given to the winning trainers and jockeys. Euromed dextrose bottles will also be given away.

The Bagatsing family thank their sponsors Philracom, PCSO, PAGCOR, SMART Communications, Herma Farms and Stud through Mr. Herminio S. Esguerra, Red Bull and Pocari Sweat, and Euromed.

On Sunday, August 22, fillies and mares will see action against each other in the Philracom Lakambini Stakes, to run over 1,800 meters. In the lineup are Bilyonarya, Compelled To Lead, Empire Glory, Ice Storm, Ma’am Mika, Open Slew, Perfect Material, Redemption, Sail Street, The Chairwoman, Thief In The Nite, and Westerly Wind.

The first placer will receive P720,000, second P270,000, third P150,000, and fourth P60,000, with a winning breeder’s purse of P50,000.   ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 11 August 2010, Wednesday

Longshot Overload

Last Sunday at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite, was a day of elderly longshots, with four veteran runners wreaking havoc with punter’s expectations in the exotic betting.

In the first set of the Winner-Take-All, the holders of the seven winning tickets took home over P312 thousand pesos each. In the second set, there were only two winners who struck it rich with P645,000 each, while pickings for the 17 winners in the third set quite adequate at P66,000 each.

The longest shot of all was 10yo veteran Empire Maker (Strike Too – Go Dilly). Steered by Class D jockey Carias Moreno, the tandem upset top choices Celestial, Rivaldo, Buena’s  Hope, and three others in their Class Division 1 race.

From a total pool of P3.37 million when the event begun at Race 1, the live wagers plummeted to only 804 after Empire Maker’s shocking win.

In the previous race, Tony de Ubago’s 10yo Reporter (Decawan – Natural Civet), was sixth choice in a field of eight CD1 horses, winning by one length over another longshot, Mike’s Zam Lady . 6YO Suavetiger (Rum Tum Tiger – Slim Berta), another sixth favorite, also won by a length to best eight other horses in CD6 while far fourth pick Reality Show (Amerigo – True To Life) clobbered ten foes in CD1.

It just goes to show that in racing, while age may be a factor, sometimes it doesn’t matter but skills and condition do.

***

It’s “all set and ready to race” for the 2^nd Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Cup on 19 August at Santa Ana Park. A full card of eight races has been prepared in honor of the late Manila mayor, a horseowner and breeder whose sons Manila congressman Amado Bagatsing and former congressman lawyer Ramon Bagatsing Jr. have carried on his legacy in the sport.

The Bagatsing brothers have announced that in addition to major sponsor Philippine Racing Commission, SMART Communication, PAGCOR, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Herma Farms and Stud have put up prize moneyfor trophy races.

Philracom will sponsor the Philracom – Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Memorial Cup which has two divisions. The first has prize money of P700,000 allocated from first to fourth, while the second has P500,000 in total prizes.

In addition to purses for the winning owners, the winning grooms of each of the eight races will also receive P1,500 cash each.  ***

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

A Rockin’ Jockeys’ Day

From Alcasid to Zarate, the entire jockey community rocked the track last Sunday during the Jockeys’ Day celebration that capped an entire raceweek of activities at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park.

The racecourse in Naic, Cavite, played host to a slew of sponsored races over the weekend with recognition and cash for the winning jockeys and grooms. The highlight races were Saturday’s Juvenile Fillies Stakes second leg and Sunday’s Juvenile Colts Stakes second leg (both 1,300 meters) and the mile New Philippine Jockeys Association Cup, all sponsored by the Philippine Racing Commission. Also held last Sunday was the 1,200-meter Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Special Maiden Race for 2YO.

One of the activities was a contest for the riders. From Tuesday to Saturday, all the jockeys’ wins and places up to fourth were tallied using a points system to choose the winning jockeys in four classes –A, B, C, and D. A “Longshot Jockey” was also chosen based on the lowest sales for any longshot winning horse.

According to NPJA president Antonio Alcasid Jr., the jockeys were so interested in the contest that they put up computer-generated charts on one wall inside the jockeys’ quarters. Each win or place was immediately marked on the chart with gate tallies, the jockeys good-naturedly teasing each other after each race.

Santiago de Galicia, patron saint of the predominantly Roman Catholic jockey colony.

The Philracom Juvenile Fillies Stakes, run without betting due to few entries, was won wire-to-wire by Antoine D’Ugo, ridden by Fernando Raquel Jr. Owned by lawyer Sixto Esquivias IV, the filly, who also won the first leg, is trained by Renato Yamco. Eric Tagle’s Restless Heart came in second, three lengths behind, followed by Wilbert Tan’s Gandang Pinay in third and Esquivias’s Pot Pot’s Love (coupled entry) in fourth. Meant to Blush (coupled entry of Gandang Pinay) broke down in the middle of the stretch, unseating rider Patricio Dilema. The race’s total time was 1:19.8, with quarters of 7-22-23’-27.

In the Philracom Juvenile Colts race, the far second choice, Nap Magno’s Naugh Naugh, scored an upset. Steered by Jesse Guce, they hit the wire half-a-length ahead of the third favorite, SC Stockfarm’s Bosbarawana. Outstanding favorite Arvin Dugo, owned by Ralph Javier, settled for third, while Tan’s Perfect Pyjama came in fourth.  Quarters for the race were 7-22-23’-26, total 1:19. The last quarter was a blitz attack by the Donato Sordan-trained colt, who mowed down the opposition under heavy urging from Guce.

Naugh Naugh (Rum Tum Tiger-Velocity) was bred by Raymund Puyat and Antoine D’Ugo (Fort Dignity-Mrs. Rainier) by Tony de Ubago.

Philracom chairman Atty. Joy Rojas awards a trophy to Naugh Naugh owner Nap Magno. With them are Atty. Vic Tantoco and PRC racing manager Dan Valmonte.

The PCSO Special Maiden Race was won in 1:13.7 by the SC Stockfarm owned- and –bred Mr. Universe (Strong Material-K Mister Vee), ridden by Lord Santos and trained by Bogie Fernandez. Rita Bustamante’s Lexibonn came in second, Esquivias’s Prince Isiah was third.

PCSO’s Dr. Romeo Buencamino and Atty Jose Malang, trainer Chito Santos, rider Lord Santos, trainer Bogie Fernandez, PCSO’s Rey Empremiado, and PRC racing manager Dan Valmonte.

The most exciting main race of the weekend was the NPJA-Philracom Cup, won by a longshot – sixth choice Trinity Moon (Mojave Moon-Trinity Shot). Owned by Mandy Carlo Sanchez, guided by Jhemo Tinte, and trained by Emilio Basco, the feisty 4YO filly clocked 25’-23’-23’-26’ for a total 1:39, nearly tying the 1:38 track record set by import Copper Dew in 2007.

On Sunday, Alcasid announced the winners of the Jockeys’ Week contest: Class A, Jessie Guce; Class B, Jonathan Hernandez; Class C, Jordan Cordova; and Class D, Conrad Henson. The longshot jockey was Louie Balboa, who rode fifth choice Moonraker to a victory on Saturday. All of them received P7,000 cash and medals sponsored by Francis Lim’s Ultra Mega Trading, Dodo Atienza’s Felindo Trading, and Congressman Gabby  Espina and Governor Gerry Espina’s Don Enrico Stable.

Conrad Henson, Jordan Cordova, Oyet Alcasid, Jesse Guce, Jonathan Hernandez.

It has been the practice in previous years for the successive Boards of Directors of NPJA to request for a charity race yearly from the Philracom and other sponsors for the benefit of the disabled jockeys’ fund.

But it was not until last year, during the the first term of current NPJA president Alcasid, that the event elicited more participation from the jockeys themselves in terms of organization and fundraising. Most of the NPJA members had a wait-and-see attitude towards Alcasid’s low-key style. He did away with the flamboyance that marked past events and insisted on a casual, cost-cutting Jockeys’ Day that focused on fundraising rather than celebration, as a consequence netting the highest amount ever for the disabled riders’ fund.

This year, the jockeys strengthened the event with their full support, tapping their horseowners and other friends for sponsorships.

Hermie Dilema presenting an award to a representative. With them are Patty Dilema, Oyet Alcasid, Jeff Zarate, and Joey Macaraig.

Their biggest and staunchest sponsor remains Philracom – its chairman, lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, and commissioners lawyer Vic Tantoco, veterinarian Eyo Fernando, former star jockey Eduardo Domingo Jr,, and James Paman. Alcasid said, “We did not have to ask chairman Rojas twice. Our request was approved by the Board right away.”

According to Chairman Rojas, “We were happy to provide a charity race for the jockeys because they are an integral element of the sport. In tandem with the horses, they give us the races that we enjoy watching.”

PRC supported the event as the host track and provided trophies, jockey medals, and additional prize money for the winning horseowners of five special races. Tarlac congressman Jeci Lapus, a horseowner and trainer of decades-long standing, gave P1,500 to each winning groom of 11 out of 13 races held last Sunday. The other sponsors were Jo Lagrata, Ric Aquino, SC Stockfarm, Dc Tan Trading, Nap Magno, Paolo Crisostomo, Vicente Go Bon, Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha, ESQ, Luis Chuidian, Jose Miguel Chuidian, and Klub Don Juan de Manila.

With several longshots winning races on Sunday, there are carryovers in the Winner-Take-All and Pick-6 events at PRC on August 3. The weekend was so successful that upon the request of the jockeys, chairman Rojas assured them that the Philracom will look into sponsoring another charity race at the end of the year.

Congratulations to the Philippine jockey colony! ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 21 July 2010, Wednesday

Triple Crown Hopes Dashed

A magnificent performance by a comebacking colt crushed the Triple Crown sweep hopes of another via a heart-breaking photo-finish – and denied him a P500,000 bonus on top of the first prize of P1.8 million.

Yes Pogi, Francis Lim’s come-from-behind gray, failed to prevail against Herminio Esguerra’s Carriedo in the third leg of the Philippine Racing Commision-sponsored championship series for elite 3YOv local-breds last Sunday at San Lazaro Leisure Park.

Carriedo, who had a successful juvenile campaign, was sidelined by injury for much of his 3YO season and was unable to compete in the first and second legs of the Triple Crown. They were won by Yes Pogi, who endeared himself to fans with his laid-back running style of loping along in last for most of the race, only to surge in the later stages and win via close finishes.

Railbirds had expected that the 2,000-meter Triple Crown third leg would prove to be an easy run for the Rum Tum Tiger-sired gray, since longer distances favor stayers. But when the news broke that Carriedo was back in harness, the odds quickly rearranged themselves to give the plucky bay a good chance to reassert his domination over foes he had beat before.

All the contenders broke well from the gate, their hooves trying to gain traction on a sloppy track. Thief in the Nite, the lone filly, took the lead, followed by Consolidator. Carriedo ran off the pace in fourth while Yes Pogi, galloping towards the back of the back, moved up along the rail.

At the backstretch, it was still Thief in the Nite by two ahead of Consolidator, Scotland Yard in third, Carriedo still in fourth, while Yes Pogi had moved up to fifth. Jesse Guce, on board Carriedo, saw a hole and started moving up, while Yes Pogi, hugging the rail, was still looking for a place to go through.

At the far turn, Yes Pogi went through a gap between horses, swinging a bit wide off his course, while Carriedo saved ground and made a tight sweet turn into the homestretch.

Down the lane, it was Carriedo in front by ¾ length, as Yes Pogi tried to catch up under heavy whipping by jockey Fernando Raquel Jr. All Jesse Guce had to do was ‘show the whip’ to Carriedo, who struggled to keep the gap even as Yes Pogi lengthened his strides. They hit the wire at practically the same time in a photo-finish ending.

When the dust cleared, Carriedo was declared the winner by less than a nose, clocking a total time of 2:07. Yes Pogi came in second, Righthererightnow third, and Thoti’s Best fourth.

A bit of trivia – both Yes Pogi (out of Belle Epoque) and Carriedo (Deputy Bodman – Astuce) were bred at Esguerra’s Herma Farm and Stud in Batangas.

The Triple Crown wasn’t the only battle for elite 3YO last weekend. On Saturday, in the Philracom’s Hopeful Stakes, auxiliary to the Triple Crown, it was the Manolito Daquis-guided Si Señor (The Cliff Edge – She’s No Princess) that prevailed by 3-1/2 lengths over Westerly Wind. Redemption settled for third, Unequalled fourth. The 2,000-meter run tested the capabilities of a larger field than the Triple Crown over a hard track, resulting in the victory of a longshot with a total time of 2:10.

Now, another favorite pasttime of racing fans – running races in hindsight. What if Carriedo had been entered in the first two legs – would the entire outcome of this series have been different? It’s one of those questions that can only be answered with, “We’ll never know.”

What we are sure of is that we still have no Triple Crown champion. The P500,000 bonus prize put up by Philracom for a sweep champion remains unclaimed.While a sweep would have been quite an accomplishment for Yes Pogi, the fact that it is now going on ten years since the last one (Patrick Uy’s Silver Story in 2001), it is proof that the quality of Philippine thoroughbreds are so well-matched that there isn’t one that stands head and withers above the rest. ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 14 July 2010, Wednesday

Triple Crown Sweep?

After a nine-year drought, will there finally be a Philippine Triple Champion?

After winning the first two legs of the Philippine Racing Commission three-leg championship series for local-bred 3YOs, Yes Pogi needs to win the last battle on Sunday to make his mark in racing history as a successor to the illustrious lineup of champions.

However, he won the first two legs at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park. The final showdown will take place at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park over a lung-busting 2,000 meters – the longest leg of the series.

Yes Pogi, owned by Francis Lim, goes up against Hermie Esguerra’s Carriedo  (who was not in the first two legs), Jun Almeda’s Consolidator, Vicente Lava’s Go Vinnie, Joseph Dyhengco’s Lakota Creek and Scotland Yard, Deemark Trading’s Righthererightnow, Wilbert Tan’s Thoti’s Best, and Eric Tagle’s Thief in the Nite, the lone filly who will carry an impost of 52 kgs., while the others – colts – carry 54 kgs.

If Yes Pogi is still in the same stellar condition as when he won the first two legs, he has a very good chance to sweep. But now he has to contend with tough foes at a different track. I don’t see the longer distance as a problem; it might in fact be an advantage for this stayer, who usually runs in last or at the back of the pack, and edges up in the back stretch close to the far turn before going into full rampage at the top of the stretch to mow down the frontrunners. Talk about intimidation.

I’m also looking at other stayers to do well, such as Lakota Creek and Righthererightnow. First prize in this race is P1.8 million, a hefty purse which will be hotly contested by all. Should Yes Pogi accomplish a sweep, he takes home an additional P500,000, a bonus prize put up by Philracom for whoever wins all three legs of the most important series for 3YO.

The Philracom’s Hopeful Stakes, auxiliary to the Triple Crown and open also to 3YO local-breds, is set for Saturday at SLLP over 2,000 meters. Declared for this race are Hermie Esguerra’s Andalucia, C&H Enterprises’ Gallant Prince and Westerly Wind, Jeci Lapus’s Ice Storm, Nonoy Niles’s Invincible, Wilbert Tan’s Milenyo, Benhur Abalos’s Open Slew and Redemption, Ruben Dimacuha’s Si Senor, Roberto Yutadco’s Speed Spell, and Jade Bros. Farm’s Unequalled.

Second leg Hopeful winner Thief in the Nite moved up to the Triple Crown, leaving this race wide-open, again to stayers who will have the style and stamina to go two kilometres. The C&H and Abalos entries are looking good, while I wouldn’t discount frontrunners Andalucia and Speed Spell. This is an even-steven lineup that is pretty hard to call, and is interesting for that reason. Let’s see who brings home the P600,000 first prize.

There is also prize money for second to fourth placers, as well as breeders’ purses: P100,000 for the breeder of the Triple Crown champion and P30,000 for that of the Hopeful winner.

According to Philracom chairman lawyer Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, “A sweep will be very exciting for the sport and for its aficionados. We look forward to seeing if the sweep bonus prize will finally be claimed. The breeders’ prizes should serve as added incentives for breeders to continue the good work they are doing to improve our local thoroughbred bloodstock.”

This weekend at SLLP will have participants and fans on tenterhooks, eager to see if Yes Pogi, a gray horse will follow another gray (Patrick Uy’s Silver Story in 2001) in the roster of Triple Crown champions. Who are you going with – sa itim (bay), sa pula (chestnut), o sa puti (gray or roan)?  ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 7 July 2010, Wednesday

Mega Red Wins PSA Cup

He’s the 3YO son of the highest-earning Philippine champion racehorse of all time, and is as red as a roasted chestnut all over. Named Mega Red, this emerging star is one to watch in the days to come after winning last Sunday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Cup.

Trophies for winning owner, trainer, and jockey at the awarding area at SLLP

Held at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park, the 1,500-meter condition race for local-bred 3YO of both genders was the revival of a venerable tradition, spearheaded by the present leadership of the PSA with the support of the Philippine Racing Commission.

Ridden by jockey Jesse Guce, Mega Red beat ten other runners and clocked quarters of 18-24′-25′-28′ for a total time of 1:36.6 to win by four lengths over Rene See’s Winner’s Lane. Tierra Sagrada de Maria’s Skyline Pigeon came in third and Don Antonio Floirendo Sr.’s Indy’s Gift fourth.

Mega Red, with Jesse Guce aboard, wins by four.

According to Philracom chairman lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, the Commission “is pleased to bring back this race for the enjoyment of racing fans and to support the PSA which is a valued partner of the racing industry.”

As in previous occasions of the PSA Cup, the proceeds of the race will fund the organization’s various projects and activities, among them the annual PSA Awards Night, the only recognition program in Philippine sports.

On hand to present the trophies at the awarding ceremony were PSA president Teddyvic Melendres (sports editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer) and treasurer Joe Antonio (sports editor, People’s Journal). Winning trainer Dave de la Cruz accepted the owner’s trophy in behalf of Mega Red’s owner Herminio Esguerra, who was in Canada at the time but sent his best wishes to the PSA officers and members.

Joe Antonio, Teddyvic Melendres, and Philracom’s Dr Romy Buencamino watch the races from the SLLP Turf Club balcony.

With them were Chairman Rojas, Philracom racing consultant veterinarian Romeo Buencamino, MJC racing manager Jose Ramon C. Magboo, and guest Michael Milbier.

Melendres presents a trophy to Dave de la Cruz. With them are Dr Buencamino, Magboo, Milbier, Chairman Rojas, and Antonio.

Bred by Esguerra’s Herma Farms & Stud, Mega Red was sired by Philippine champion Wind Blown out of broodmare Excel Prime (by Al Bashaama).

Upon discussion with Melendres and Antonio, Chairman Rojas says plans may go forward for another Philracom-sponsored PSA Cup in late December, to be tentatively held on the same day as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Presidential Gold Cup.

The PCSO Gold Cup is regarded as the most prestigious on the racing calendar. Holding both events on the same day would afford PSA members – editors, sportswriters, and photographers – the rare chance to witness two top-drawing races in one visit.

Melendres and Antonio thanked Chairman Rojas, the Commission, MJC, and the participants and racing fans for their support of the PSA Cup. In an interview aired over the live racing show on cable TV, Melendres added that he looks forward to increased press coverage of racing events from now on.

Antonio, Melendres, Milbier, Chairman Rojas, Magboo, and Dr Buencamino at the Gold Box of the SLLP Turf Club

It’s great that this yearly tradition has been resurrected. In former days, when sports editors and kareristas Rudy Navarro and Jimmy Cantor were among the PSA officers, racing news was given more space in the dailies. Nowadays only a handful of sportswriters who also happen to be staunch karera fans write about track happenings, among them Joe Antonio.

Let’s hope that with more exposure to the sport, the current crop of PSA officers and members will get wrapped up in the mega-action, mega-speed, and mega-power that only a field of thoroughbreds thundering around a track can deliver. Mega Red would approve.  ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 30 June 2010, Wednesday

Verdugo Juveniles

Verdugo.

In Spanish, it means ‘tyrant, executioner’; in Filipino, it connotes images of masculinity and toughness. And if you believe that words – and names – possess power, a special mojo of their own, then it’s a good strong name for a racehorse.

The names of the “Dugo” horses currently terrorizing the track are taken from this word, and they are living up to its meaning in spectacular style, the latest instances being the winners of last weekend’s Juvenile Stakes races at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park.

Sponsored by the Philippine Racing Commission, Saturday saw the running of the Juvenile Fillies and Sunday the Colts, both over 1,200 meters.

In the Fillies, Sixto Esquivias’s Antoine D’Ugo, winner of a Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Special Maiden race some three weeks back, was sent off as the outstanding favorite. To no one’s surprise she completely trounced her foes – Oliver Velasquez’s Deputy Jazz, who came in second; third-placer Pot Pot’s Love (her coupled entry); Wilbert Tan’s Ginny Rose; while Dugo’s Paramour (owned by Ralph Javier) came in last.

Antoine D’Ugo (Fort Dignity – Mrs. Rainier) was bred by Tony de Ubago.

In the Colts, Ralph Javier’s Arvin Dugo won handily, posting splits of 24’-22’-26’ for a total time of 1:13.5. Tony de Ubago’s Cheese Quemas came in second a couple of lengths behind, followed by Javier’s General Dugo (the winner’s coupled entry) and Tan’s Perfect Pyjama.

The Juvenile Colts races was run without betting, as there is a required minimum number of entries for the racing club to offer a certain betting option. Why were only ‘three in number’ were allowed to run? Because there is a racing rule that provides exactly that.

Meanwhile, jockey Fernando Raquel Jr. and trainer Renato Yamco scored two-for-two by copping trophies in both races as rider and conditioner of Antoine D’Ugo and Arvin Dugo.

*******

It was great to hear from horseowner and breeder Raymund Puyat last week. He clarified a statement I made in my last column about Rum Tum Tiger, sire of recent PCSO Special Maiden race winner Naugh Naugh, being a Herma Farms & Stud stallion. Puyat was in fact the owner of the stallion (now deceased), which stood at Herma for two seasons. He also owns Velocity, Naugh Naugh’s dam.

Arvin Dugo (Quaker Ridge – Repriced) was bred by Eric Tagle, who mentioned that Repriced is also the dam of his champion Thief in the Nite (by US sire Bel Esprit), winner of this year’s Philracom 2^nd leg Hopeful Stakes.

Among the country’s most steadfast breeders, Puyat and Tagle continue to contribute to the effort of raising Philippine champions by bringing in successful lineages from abroad.

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From the Philracom comes the news that several horses broke records at Santa Ana Park recently. In the 1,100m: Sixto Esquivias’s Megamax, 1:05.8; 1,200m: Celerino Falcon’s Queen Starr, 1:13; and two owned by Herminio Esguerra – 1,300m: Go Army, 1:17.6; 1,700m: Multiply, 1:46. Congratulations! Expect faster times and perhaps more new records with the advent of the rainy season and firmer track surfaces.

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This Sunday at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park will see the revival of the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association Cup, sponsored by the Philracom. The lineup will be announced soon.   ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 23 June 2010, Wednesday

Naugh Naugh Wins

Now what kind of name is that for a racehorse?

Owned by Napoleon Magno and trained by Donny Sordan, Naugh Naugh, a bay colt foaled in February 2008, is by Herma Farms and Stud stallion Rum Tum Tiger out of Philippine mare Velocity.

He did well in his first few runs but showed a stellar quality last Sunday in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Special Maiden Race held over 1,300 meters at the San Lazaro Leisure Park.

Steered by Class A rider Jesse Guce, the oddly-named colt trounced four other opponents – Conqueror, the also strangely-appellated Cheese Quemas, Bosbarawana, and General Dugo.

This goes to show that in racing, you don’t go by the name – you go by the feet. Because names can’t run.

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This weekend at Santa Ana Park, expect more juvenile action with the staging of the Philippine Racing Commission’s 1^st leg Juvenile Fillies Stakes on Saturday and the 1^st leg Juvenile Colts Race on Sunday, both races to be run over an easy 1,200 meters.

Each race will have prizes of P300,00 for first, P112,500 for second, P62,500 for third, and P25,000 for fourth, with a breeder’s prize of P15,000. The generous incentives, said Philracom chairman lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, “are to ensure the continued efforts towards breeding Philippine champions that can hold their own with the world’s best.”

Six have signed up to fight in the Fillies Stakes: Sixto Esquivias IV’s Antoine d’Ugo (to be ridden by jockey Fernando Raquel Jr.) and Potpot’s Love (Jonathan Hernandez); Edward Tan’s Armoury; Oliver Velasquez’s Deputy Jazz (Val Dilema); Ralph Javier’s Dugo’s Paramour (Jhemo Tinte); Wilbert Tan’s Ginny’s Rose (Patty Dilema).

Four will contend in the Colts: Ralph Javier’s Arvin Dugo (Raquel) and General Dugo (Tinte); Tony de Ubago’s Cheese Quemas (Jonathan Hernandez); and Wilbert Tan’s Perfect Pyjama (Patty Dilema).

All fillies will carry a set weight of 52 kgs., colts 54 kgs.

In the Fillies, I’m looking at Antoine d’Ugo to do well. She won the May 23 PCSO Special Maiden Race at Santa Ana Park going wire-to-wire, beating a panting Arvin Dugo who’ll be running in the Colts this time.

With Naugh Naugh not running in the Colts, General Dugo’s chances look much better and he should stage a good performance here.

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These are not the only good races in the offing. Watch out for the revival of the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association Cup, slated for July 4 at SLLP.  Sponsored by the Philracom, the PSA Cup will once more see sports writers, not only those who cover racing, converge at the track to enjoy the races, each other’s company, and raise funds for the organization’s charitable  efforts and other activities.   (Email: jennyo@live.com * Visit: http://jennyo.net)

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