PGC, PSA Cup slated at Sta. Ana

MANILA, Philippines - In a big day for horse racing, three stakes races will be held this Sunday at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite, marking the second time in less than a month that the country’s prominent horses take the spotlight.

The biggest, most prestigious of these events is the Presidential Gold Cup, which features resurgent Go Army and seven others rated gallopers in a 2000-meter event offering P1.5 million to the champion.

The Philracom Juvenile grand championship and the PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) Cup 2 are the two other highlight events in the 13-race program, easily one of the most highly-awaited, richest in the season about to end.

Go Army, the pride and joy of businessman-sportsman Hermie Esguerra, comes off a runaway triumph in the MARHO Classic two weeks ago and is tipped as the horse to beat when he battles veteran Ibarra, Heaven Sent, Lively Dude, Native Land, Shining Fame, Yes Pogi, and Rightthererightnow in the 38th staging of the Gold Cup.

This marks the first time that Go Army, unbeaten as a juvenile, Triple Crown standouts Ibarra and Yes Pogi will cross paths, leaving racing observers to predict that whoever wins this one will most likely take the horse of the year honor.

Twelve horses, led by Barkley and Arvindugo, will dispute the P1.5M first prize in the juvenile championship set over a mile (1600 meters), while leading 3-year-olds are expected to be entered in the PSA Cup 2.

 The runners in the PSA race will be known tonight.