Record sales eyed for 5th Bagatsing Cup

EXPECT more action-packed races when the Manila Jockey Club hosts the 5th Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Memorial Cup on Aug. 18 at San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s National Grand Derby featuring top sweepstakes runners highlights this year’s edition along with the Mayor Bagatsing Division 1 and 2 races.

Ramon Bagatsing Jr. said the event, which honors his late father’s passion for the sport and the horseracing industry, aims to surpass last year’s gross sales.

“It will be good if we break the record,” Bagatsing said in the PSA Forum yesterday at Shakey’s Malate.

MJCI marketing manager Nathan Mazo and marketing officer Cecille Villanueva said the race earned P39 million in sales last year, P4M more than the 2011 record.

“This is something we look forward to,” said Mazo. “It’s just the fifth and we want to bring it as far as we can go.”

Bagatsing noted there will be other special races by Resorts World Manila, Solaire Resort and Casino and Tiger Resort and Leisure, where the prize pot will average P500,000.

The beneficiary of the event will be the Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran (Kabaka), the foundation of his brother, Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing.