THE 45th Presidential Gold Cup is an open race among the nine chargers vying for the whopping top prize of P4 million on Sunday at the MetroTurf Racing Complex in Malvar-Tanauan, Batangas.
The prestigious event, sponsored by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and hosted for the first time by the Metro Manila Turf Club, will be disputed by country’s crème of the crop over the rigorous distance of 2,000 meters.
The complete list of official runners include: Benhur Abalos III’s Pinagtipunan – jockey Jonathan Hernandez 55; Dr. Nick Cruz’s Bite My Dust – Jesse Guce 55; Wilbert Tan’s Subterranean River – Kelvin Abobo 54; Sepfourteen – John Alvin Guce 54.5; Hermie Esguerra’s Dewey Boulevard – Pati Dilema 55; former Mandaluyong mayor Benhur Abalos Jr.’s Lakan – Andreu Villegas 55.5; Joseph Dyhengco’s Hiway One – Rey Niu Jr. 54.5; and Atty. Narciso Morales’ Messi – Val DIlema 56 and Tap Dance – Jericho Serrano 56.
The early lead may be disputed by the fleet-footed Lakan, Hiway One and Bite My Dust with the co-favorites Sepfourteen, who is fresh from sweeping this year’s Triple Crown Series, Dewey Boulevard not far from behind and closely guarding each other’s move. Tap Dance, Pinagtipunan, Subterranean River, and Messi must not be far behind the leaders if they would want to give a good fight in the final part of the race.
Experts predict a very open race in this 45th edition of the blue-ribbon event in the country that started way back in 1973 when it was conceived by former PCSO Chairman and General Manager Col. Nereo Andolong.
Col. Andolong envisioned that “new and higher standards set to qualify for the Presidential Gold Cup … to promote a breed of Filipino horses comparable in pedigree with the world’s best best!”
After 44 long years, the Presidential Gold Cup is still the richest single race in the land and only the top-quality local horses are allowed to participate.
Aside from the P3 million set aside by the PCSO, another P1-million is contributed by the Philippine Racing Commission for the Winning Owner, who will also get the very handsome replica of the Presidential Gold Cup. The breeder of the Winning Horse will also receive a bonus of P200,000.
The runnerup picks up P1 million, while the third and fourth placers will receive P500,000 and P300,000, respectively.
Political Affairs Office Secretary Francis Tolentino will be representing Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, who begged off from attending the annual event due to pressing work in Malacanang, will be the guest of honor.
Joining him is Presidential Son-In-Law Atty. Mans Carpio, husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, and other VIPs who troop to the country’s and Asia’s newest horseracing facilities.
Three other Golden Trophy Races are lined up in the 13-race slated for today.
They are the ISUZU Golden Trophy Race of Isuzu Philippines Corporation, MR. BOUNCER Golden Trophy Race of Starbean Commercial Corporation, and the PAGCOR Golden Trophy Race of the Philippine Gaming Corporation. A guaranteed prize of P150,000 plus a Golden Trophy will be awarded to the Winner of each race.
