4th Mayor Ramon Bagatsing Cup up

AN ANNUAL tradition gains more ground with the running of the highlight races of 4th Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing  Memorial Cup at Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park.

A 13-race extravaganza is up today, the late Manila mayor’s birthday. Sponsored trophy races were held yesterday.

The main races are backed by the Philippine Racing Commission and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Other sponsors have also supported races to honor Bagatsing’s memory and his many contributions to Philippine horseracing.

Featured are the RDB-Philracom 4th Annual Memorial Cup Division I (total purse of P700,000); RDB-Philracom 4th Annual Memorial Cup Division II (total purse of P500,000); RDB-PCSO Special Trophy Race Division I  and Division II (each with total purse of P400,000); PCSO National Grand Derby (total purse of P2.5 million for first to fourth placers); and Japan Racing Association Cup (sponsored by Philracom with added P20,000 for the winner).

The PCSO National Grand Derby mile features 2012 Philracom Triple Crown winner Hagdang Bato, coupled with stablemate Barkley. Both are owned by Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos. They go up against Herminio Esguerra’s High Voltage and Purple Ribbon, Francis Lim’s Yes Yes Yes, and Joseph Dyhengco’s Darleb.

Hagdang Bato  is heavily favored in this race with Darleb and High Voltage expected to provide challenge.

Also on tap today are trophy races with added P100,000 each for the winner, sponsored by EEG Development Corporation, AB Leisure Exponent Inc., Pagcor, Solaire Manila Resort and Casino and Resorts World Manila.

“This event,” said the late mayor’s son, Manila Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing, “has an exciting lineup of races and entries we are sure racing fans will enjoy. ”

Former Manila Rep. Ramon S. Bagatsing Jr.,  on the other hand, thanked the sponsors and racing fans for their support.