Disgruntled horseowners warn of dubious races

MANILA, Philippines - Officials of the country’s three racing groups yesterday warned the betting public to think twice before putting their hard-earned money on makeshift races being organized by the racing clubs on orders of the Philippine Racing Commission.

Eric Tagle, president of the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners, said he has received reports the Philracom has ordered the racing clubs to avoid a repetition of last Wednesday’s cancelation of races at the Sta. Ana Park in Cavite to hold regular races.

“We want the betting public to know that majority of the horses participating in the races being put up essentially by the Philracom are those that have long been consigned to retirement or those with injuries. That explains why there have been a lot of scratches lately,” said Tagle, speaking on behalf of the Marho, Philtobo and Klub Don Juan, which are staging a racing holiday to protest the Philracom’s inaction on their complaints and grievances.

The three groups account for at least 2,700 of the country’s active racehorses.

“The public must be protected against these makeshift line-up of races,” said Tagle, adding that among the horses being recalled to active duty by the race clubs so they can complete a respectable roster are owned by “unscrupulous” persons.

The failure of the Philracom to shut down operators of “bookies” is one of the issues that have been raised against the Philracom, headed by chairman Angel Castano Jr., who has been accused of misleading the public by citing an antiquated law as his basis for refusing to remove the three percent trainers’ fund from the winnings of horse owners.

The Philracom earlier said the horseowners’ move for a racing holiday had hurt the industry, affecting several sectors dependent on it for their livelihood.