Resorts World backs Don Juan derby classic

MANILA, Philippines - Resorts World Manila, the first one-stop, nonstop tourist destination in the Philippines, makes its grand entrance in local horse racing as sponsor of the Don Juan Derby, a P1.5-million classic race for crack three-year-olds on Oct. 7 at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Resorts World Manila is joining forces with Klub Don Juan de Manila and the Manila Jockey Club, Inc. for the annual staging of the championship racefest.

“We are thrilled to welcome Resorts World Manila as major backer of the 11th Don Juan Derby and wish to thank their executive vice president, Mr. Tony Toh, for recognizing the enormous marketing potential of local racing,” said KDJM president Tonyboy Eleazar and event organizers Eddie Gonzales and former KDJM president Jun Almeda.

Multiple stakes-winning filly Humble Riches, owned by Kenneth Causon and trained by Ruben Tupas, is the prohibitive favorite for the 2,000-meter derby which carries a guaranteed prize of P900,000 for the winner, P300,000 for second, P150,000 for third,  P50,000 for fourth and P15,000 each for the fifth-10th placers. Co-presentor Magic Millions Sales-Australia sweetens the pot with a P50,000 bonus to any Magic Millions Sales graduate who wins the event.

Challenging Humble Riches, which drew post position No. 2 for the featured event, are The Guardian (AUS), Pugad Lawin, Isa Pa Isa Pa, Salima (AUS), Purple Ribbon, Steel Creation, Golden Empire and Lord Gee.

Three other divisional championship races will also be staged on Don Juan Derby Day in honor of the late Don Antonio Floirendo Sr., chairman emeritus of KDJM and avid supporter of the Derby races. These include the 2012 Golden Girls Stakes-Don Antonio O. Floirendo Memorial Race, 2012 Don Juan Juvenile Colts and 2012 Don Juan Juvenile Fillies, with P500,000 each in guaranteed prize money sponsored by KDJM, MJCI and the Philippine Racing Commission.

Official entries in the 2012 Golden Girls Stakes include: Sliotar, Divine, Botbo, Rain Shower, Born Tycoon, Tigerous Queen and Doña Nenita. Final starters in the 2012 Don Juan Juvenile Fillies include Princess Keni, Super Whaaa, Five Star, Ballet Flats and Balbonic, while Sky Dragon, Standing Strong, Unthinkable, Naga and Boss Jaden complete the cast for the 2012 Don Juan Juvenile Colts.

Special trophy races with additional/bonus prizes will also be held throughout the Don Juan Derby racing week from October 2 through 7.