Morales by landslide; Hernandez repeats

MANILA, Philippines – Getting a fair share of the prizes in the stakes and regular races, businessman-sportsman Narciso Morales emerged as runaway winner in victories and earnings among horseowners while jockey Jonathan Hernandez repeated as champion in a memorable 2015 racing season.

Morales posted 137 first-place finishes including at least seven wins in stakes and sweepstakes races, and totalled P22,691,125 in earnings as he pulled off a similar victorious feat he made in 2013.

“They (his people in the stable) did their homework well since Day 1 of last year’s season. This (being No. 1) was the product of their hard work,” said Morales, named by the local racing body as the Most Reputable Horseowner awardee in 2014.

As amazing was the veteran Hernandez, who struck heavily in stakes races in the closing months of the year to beat Mark Alvarez in the jockeys division with a total of 182 wins and P4,541,042 earnings.

According to a Philracom report, Ruben Tupas topped the trainers’ category for the nth time with 238 wins and P4,304,095 earnings while Low Profile wound up No. 1 among horses with P5,455,220 in prizes and 12 victories that included  the rich Ambassador Danding Cojuangco Cup and the PCSO Anniversary race.

A veteran in the racing scene who’s into numerous businesses, Morales also booked 139 second, 138 third and 169 fourth place finishes as he pulled off the most impressive feat by a horseowner in the past two decades.

Juveniles Spectrum and Hot Dog and stayer Dikoridik Koridak were among the prominent horses who delivered the goods for the Morales stable.

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos came in second to Morales, striking big in November and December through Gentle Strength and Malaya. He posted 62 wins and P13,248,032 earnings.

“We hope and pray our luck continues this year. We thank the fans for supporting our runners,” said Morales, one of the key figures in the fight against illegal bookies and a vocal proponent of a move to change the handicapping system.

The finals standings:

Horseowners--1. N. Morales P22,691,125 (137 wins, 139 second, 138 third, 169 fourth); 2. B. Abalos P13,248,032 (62-35-30-23); 3.J Dyhengco P12,172,861 (49-43-29-21); 4. Jade Bros Farm P11,587,861 (83-72-82-73) 5. A. Puyat P10,681,255 (67-89-71-79).

Jockeys—1.J. Hernandez P4,541,042 (182 wins); 2. M. Alvarez P4,059, 812 (171); J. Zarate P3,338,695 (172); K. Abobo P3,251, 368 (122); 5. JB Guce P3,211,801

Horses—1. Low Profile P5,455,220 (12 wins); Gentle Strength P5,375,587 (9); 3. Court of Honor P4,691,984 (7) ; 4.Dixie Gold P4,257,291; 5. Subterranean River P3,875,020 (3)

Trainers—1. R. Tupas P4,304,095 (238 wins) 2. D. Dela Cruz P2,482,199 (148) 3. C. Vicente P2,266,325 (148); 4. A. Sordan (107) 5. D. Santos P1,965,316 (121)