Rich Don Juan Derby races unfold Oct. 2 at San Lazaro

LOCAL horse racing’s last quarter storm  gets underway on Oct. 2 as Klub Don Juan de Manila in cooperation with the Manila Jockey Club Inc. stages the 11th renewal of the Don Juan Derby racefest at San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

The 66-day racing extravaganza brings together the headliners among the current crop of locally-bred and imported gallopers battling for division honors and rich prizes from the Philippine Racing Commission, Magic Millions Sales Australia and Resorts World Manila.

“Don Juan Derby is a wonderful opportunity to showcase to the Bayang Karerista the best that local horse racing can offer and relive the tradition of excellence in the sport as epitomized by horse Don Juan, winner of 1950 National Grand Derby Race at the old San Lazaro Hippodrome,” said KDJM president Antonio “Tony Boy” Eleazar.

Highlight of the festivities will be the P1.5-million Don Juan Derby on Oct. 7, featuring ten 3-year-olds battling over 2,000 meters.

Humble Riches, winner of the 2011 Don Juan Juvenile Fillies, heads the Resorts World Manila-sponsored Don Juan, which also includes division standouts’ Pugad Lawin, Golden Empire, Steel Creation, Isa Pa Isa Pa, Pleasantly Perfect and Purple Ribbon, as well as Aussie-breds Lord Gee, Salima and The Guardian.

The Don Juan Derby, which is co-sponsored by MJCI, carries a guaranteed prize of P900,000 to the winner, P300,000 for second and P150,000 for third. A P50,000 bonus will go to any Magic Millions Sale graduate who would emerge as winner of the event.

Also expected to attract attention is the  2012 Don Juan Golden Girls, which will now be named the Don Antonio O. Floirendo Memorial Race. KDJM and MJCI will be bankrolling this year’s P500,000 championship featuring returning champion Botbo, and group standouts Born Tycoon, Divine, Doña Nenita, Rain Shower, Sliotar and Tigerous Queen. A P30,000 bonus awaits winning Magic Millions Sale graduate.