Top horses vie in rich Philtobo racefest

MANILA, Philippines – Ten of the country’s leading two-year-old chargers get a crack at fame as they vie in the P2.6 million Juvenile Championship, the featured race in today’s Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Organization (Philtobo) racing festival at the Saddle and Clubs Leisure Park (Santa Ana Park) in Naic, Cavite.

Wilbert Tan’s Sulong Pinoy and Gandang Pinay; Manny King Jr.’s Hi Money and island-born newcomers Charming Santi of Nonoy Niles and Prince Isiah of Sixto Esquivas banner the roster clashing for the guaranteed top prize of P1.56 million in the day’s featured race.

Others vying in the one-mile race are Hermie Esguerra’s Herran and Pritil, Manny Santos’ Hari ng Yambo, Tito de Jesus’ Sha Na Na and Edward Tan’s Fargo.

Three other special races are on tap in the 11th staging of the annual championship sponsored by Philippine Racing Commission, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Racing Club, Inc., PGA Cars, Inc., Jade Bros. Freight, Pryde’s Easifeeds, Herma Farms and Studs, Inc. and Papiroman Farms.

The PCSO-Philtobo Classic offers a total pot of P500,000 with Esguerra’s multiple stakes winner Go Army tipped as the early favorite in the tough 2,000-meter race along Heaven Sent and Oh Wacky.

Another Esguerra bet, Gastambide, is fancied to dominate the PRCI-Philtobo 3YO Colts following the withdrawal of champion horse Yes Pogi, while Kristal’s Beauty is expected to dominate the PGA Cars 3YO Fillies race.

Both one-mile races carry a guaranteed purse of P400,000.