Gentle Strength flashes power, prevails

Filly Gentle Strength’s narrow victory over Dikori Dikoriduk highlighted the smashing success of the recent 7th Mayor Ramon D. Bagasting Sr. racing festival held at the ultra-modern San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Gentle Strength won by a nose after the photo finish to rule the centerpiece Philracom-Ramon Bagasting Cup (Division 1) as the festival grossed more than P41 million in sales over the weekend.

Cat’s Diamond prevailed in the PCSO Cup (Division 1) even as top favorite Low Profile overpowered a lean six-horse field in the Challenge to Champions race sponsored by Resorts World Manila.

The gross sales of the festival downplayed the status of the event as one of the keenly awaited events of the year.

A total of P8.5 million in prizes was dangled in 18 out of the 25 races scheduled that weekend, which is being held annually to honor the exploits of the late Manila mayor who was also an avid horseowner.

Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing and Philracom commissioner Ramon S. Bagatsing Jr., the late mayor’s sons, organized the event. Musong R. Castillo

The racing festival’s other sponsors: Solaire Resort and Casino, San Miguel Corp., Midas Hotel and Casino, Genting Club, City of Dreams, (Premiere Leisure and Amusement Co.), Stradcom, Pasay City Mayor Eduardo Calixto, Smart Communication, MARHO, DLTB Co., Philtobo, EEG Development Corp., Fundador, Red Bull, Bingson Tecson, Al Tengco, and Nukaza Trading.