Gran Copa de Manila race festival gets underway

It’s all systems go for local racing’s biggest racing extravaganza as the Manila Jockey Club, Inc. (MJCI) marks the 23rd renewal of the famed "Gran Copa de Manila" Racing Festival with an unprecedented six-day parade of topnotch racing action starting today at the San Lazaro Hippodrome.

This was announced yesterday during the official launching of the 23rd Gran Copa Racefest attended no less by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and top officials from the host club, the Philippine Racing Commission, Games and Amusements Board and the various racing associations.

"The Gran Copa de Manila has long been one of the most anticipated highlights of the annual Araw ng Maynila celebration and is regarded by Manileños as an institution that has helped elevate the popularity of the sport of horse racing throughout the country," noted Mayor Atienza.

This year’s festivity coincide with the 431st founding anniversary of the country’s premier city and is one of the major events featured in this year’s citywide celebration.

Highlight of the six-day racing festival is the "Gran Copa de Manila Day" on June 24, which is headlined by the twin-bill 23rd "Gran Copa de Manila" Stakes Races.

Gran Copa defending champion and last year’s Horse of the Year titlist Wind Blown heads the stellar cast of protagonists set to compete in the P1-million guaranteed premier division. Coming off an explosive victory in last Sunday’s Independence Day Stakes, Wind Blown sets out to become the first back-to-back winner of the annual blue-ribbon classic.

Set to challenge Wind Blown for the coveted title and the P600,000.00 top purse are last year’s Triple Crown and 3-year-old champion Silver Story, recent Founders’ Cup winner Batangas Entry and Wind Blown’s one-time tormentor Staunch Ally. The returning champion has been assigned to carry top weight of 58 kgs. For the 1,900 meter track encounter.

Meanwhie, eleven (11) seasoned chargers are set to contest Division II of the Gran Copa including Sky Hawk, Ilocandia Slew, Arriba King, Sparkling Sky, Heavenly, High Roller, Kitty Hawk, Gutmoore, Master Ijhay, Might and Power and Free Time.