1st Gentleman’s Cup offers P1M top prize

Horse racing takes centerstage anew as the sixth Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office First Gentleman Silver Cup with a total money pot of P1.6 million is held at the San Lazaro Hippodrome on April 29.

Divisional champions Wind Blown and Silver Story lead seven other worthy participants in this 2,000-meter race which offers P1 million for the champion.

The event, one of the richest in years, is so prestigious that race organizers have invited no less than the First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo to grace the occasion and award the Silver Cup courtesy of PCSO to the winner.

"We are indeed honored by the presence of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo which will ensure not only the significance of the event but his renewal of ties with the horse racing industry," said PCSO general manager Virgilio "Ver" Angelo, who represented PCSO Chairperson Honey Girl De Leon in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Holiday Inn.

Expected to challenge Wind Blown, a four-year-old colt which won the PCSO Presidential Gold Cup recently, is Silver Story, a three-year-old track sensation which is eyeing to avenge its bitter loss to the Herminio Esguerra-owned colt in their first and only meeting last year.

Adding more thrill to the Wind Blown-Silver Story duel are defending Silver Cup champion Streets of Gold, Gold Edition, Triple Crown leg winner Materiales Fuertes, multiple stakes winner High Roller, Greely Good, Sweet Lover and promising Hammerhead.

The official post position draw for the said race is scheduled today at the PCSO Office in Quezon City as announced by Committee on Races chairman Jose Malang. — Joey Villar