NJPAI to hold 1st Jockey’s Footrace for charity

NJPAI Board Director Ace Aguila, Vice President Val Dilema, and President Gilbert Francisco. Photo by Randolph Leongson/INQUIRER.net

Going out of their norms, the New Philippine Jockeys Association Inc. (NJPAI) will feature a one-of-a-kind attraction in its Annual Jockeys’ Day racing festival on Sunday, holding the first ever Jockey’s Footrace at the Metro Turf in Tanauan, Batangas.

Engaging 22 active riders to a 100-meter dash in the turf, the race will be a fundraising event for the disabled jockeys’ fund.

“This is the first time ever that the jockeys will hold a charity footrace. It has already generated a lot of interest in the racing community and among fans,” said NJPAI president Gilbert Francisco on Tuesday at the PSA Forum in Shakey’s Malate.

NJPAI vice president Val Dilema and board director Ace Aguila were also present in the weekly discussion sponsored by San Miguel Corp., Shakey’s, Accel and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Some of the country’s top jockeys will be participating in the event bannered by JP Hernandez, JG Serrano and Ephraim Raquel, among others.

All 22 jockeys participating in the race will be declared by a sponsor for P5,000, with all proceeds going directly to the fund for the disabled list. The winner of the footrace will also take home a motorcycle courtesy of Norkis.

The charity footrace will be just one of the few side events on the jam-packed Jockeys’ Day race card this weekend, where five major races will be disputed: four titles to be handed out in the 9th NPJA-Philippine Racing Commission Cup and the final one being the 7th NJPA-Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Cup. TVJ