INQUIRER Sports

I HAVE NOT BEEN GOING TO THE RACES lately, but it pleases me to know that my kabayan sportsman Hermie Esguerra still dominates the local horse racing scene.

According to the Philippine Racing Commission, Esguerra?the popular horse owner from Plaridel, Bulacan?recently posted a grand slam of sorts when his entries won three Philracom Stakes Races with aplomb.

Esguerra?s highly touted entry, Azcarraga, easily topped the Juvenile Fillies Stakes Race, tearing up the 1,300-meter event under the expert riding of jockey VR Dilema.

Azcarraga?s triumph gave the winning connection the prize money of P900,000. It boosted likewise the earnings of her multiawarded trainer, CC Alvarez.

In the Juvenile Colts Stakes Race, Hermie?s other horse, Carriedo, booted in by jockey KE Malapira, ruled the 1,300m race to pocket first-prize money of P900,000. The champion horse was also trained by Alvarez.

Leading from the start, Esguerra?s imported runner Miss Abby Kat, with veteran jockey Val Dilema on top, captured the 900m Sapphire Stakes Race. The effort was worth P300,000.

It was not the first time the Bulacan businessman scored a rare sweep of Philracom stakes races. In September 2006, Esguerra swept four races at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite. Hermie?s winners then were Macho Man, Condoleeza, Golden Sutter and Don Exequiel, a handsome chestnut colt which he named after his late father.

The country?s top money winner among horse owners since 2001, Esguerra is tipped to top the elite list anew. As of Aug. 31, the Top 10 horse owners, according to my longtime friend Nancy of the Philracom staff, are:

1. H.S. Esguerra, P13,169,322.77; 2. A.G. Puyat, P11,580,111.64; 3. L.M. Naval, P8,143, 985.05; 4. A.G. De Ubago Jr. P7,674, 928.70; 5. N.G. Velasco, P6, 999, 730.63; 6. R.G. Pilapil, P6,949,483.01; 7. J.A. Lapus, P6, 883,229.04; 8. B.C. Niles Jr. P6, 332, 057.75; 9. A.V. Tan Jr., P6, 131,720.80; 10. E.R. Tan, P5,685,973.87.

Known to millions of racing fans as the owner of the now-retired super horse Wind Blown, Esguerra rose to celebrity status after he bought Wind Blown?then already a champion horse?from close friend Sandy Javier.

Still, Hermie did not take the easy route to achieve fame.

?I study exhaustively everything there is to know about a particular project, be it in business or sports,? he once said. ?I really work hard to excel.?

* * *

A jockey?s life is fraught with danger.

Jockeys always risk life and limb because they could be trampled under the hooves of galloping horses. As result, many jockeys receive severe body and head injuries, with some getting paralyzed and ultimately meeting death, just like ace rider Elpidio S. Aguila, whose ill-fated story hardly got the attention of the local media.

Because they are generally small and light, a jockey must try to maintain his weight at no more than 114 pounds.

?The lighter, the better,? wrote the legendary jockey Eddie Arcaro in his autobiography ?I Ride to Win.?

Most jockeys also indulge in near fasting and water deprivation. Water, because of its weight, is the prime enemy, said American book author Laura Hillenbrand, a two-time winner of the Eclipse Award, the highest journalistic award in thoroughbred racing.

* * *

My family and I are extending our deepest condolence to the heirs of a beloved friend, Tony Chua, manager of the Red Bull Barako team in the Philippine Basketball Association. Much admired and respected for being honest and fair in his dealing with people, Tony will be missed by all, the sports fans in particular.