Presidential Cup at San Lazaro

More than pride and prestige will be at stake when the country’s top thoroughbreds battle it out for the coveted Presidential Gold Cup Race Dec. 22 as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) simultaneously holds the inaugural draw of its multi-million 7-Digit Sweepstakes in a mega-merger of the country’s richest sweepstakes lottery and horse race at the San Lazaro Hippodrome.

Dubbed the PCSO President Gold Cup-7 Digit Sweepstakes Christmas Draw, the event is part of the PCSO’s Yuletide offering and jumpstarts the revival of the original Sweepstakes format, where the final Sweepstakes results depend on the outcome of the featured horse race.

"This event will further reinforce the time-tested partnership between the local horse racing industry and the PCSO in the noble task of generating funds for charity and much-needed revenues for the government," said PCSO chair Ma. Livia De Leon.

A total of P2.375-million is at stake in the 30th running of the Presidential Gold Cup Race, with main honoree, President Arroyo, expected to be on hand to present the awards to the winning connections.

The winner is guaranteed to receive P1.5-million, with P500,000, P250,000 and P125,000 allotted, respectively, to the second through fourth placers.

The event is an open weight-for-age championship exclusive to locally-bred or island born horses and will be disputed over 2,000-meters at the San Lazaro Hippodome’s main track.

Previous winners of the coveted Presidential Gold Cup, notably two-time winner Wind Blown, are still qualified to compete but with an additional handicap.