RESORTS World Manila, the first one-stop, nonstop tourist destination in the Philippines, makes its grand entrance in local horse racing as sponsor of the Don Juan Derby, a P1.5-million classic race for crack 3-year-olds set Oct. 7 at San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
Resorts World joins forces with Klub Don Juan de Manila (KDJM) and the Manila Jockey Club, Inc. (MJCI) for the annual staging of the championship race fest.
“We are thrilled to welcome Resorts World Manila as major backer of the 11th Don Juan Derby and wish to thank their Executive Vice President, Mr. Tony Toh, for recognizing the enormous marketing potential of local racing,” said KDJM President Tonyboy Eleazar and event organizers Eddie Gonzales and former KDJM President Jun Almeda.
Multiple stakes-winning filly Humble Riches, owned by Kenneth Causon and trained by Ruben Tupas, is the favorite for the 2,000-meter Derby which carries a guaranteed prize of P900,000 for the winner; P300,000 for second; and P150,000 for third.
Magic Millions Sales-Australia sweetens the pot with a P50,000 bonus to any Magic Millions Sales graduate who wins the event.
Challenging Humble Riches, which drew post position No. 2 for the featured event, are The Guardian (AUS), Pugad Lawin, Isa Pa Isa Pa, Salima (AUS), Purple Ribbon, Steel Creation, Golden Empire and Lord Gee.
Three other divisional championship races will also be staged on Don Juan Derby Day in honor of the late Don Antonio Floirendo Sr., Chairman Emeritus of KDJM and avid supporter of Derby races.