Two-cock elimination fights will be held today, followed by another two-cock matches on Wednesday and the four-cock finals on Friday. The derby will be hosted by Big Dome owner Nene Araneta, Ito Ynares and the Firefly Group.
The foreign-flavored field will be led by Tom Cooper and Jeff Hudspeth of North Carolina, Roger Roberts and Johnny Philips of Georgia, Pennie Fabros and Ric Cabullos of Canada, Sedfrey Linsangan of Guam, Rioichi Saito of Japan and Jorge Torres and Romy Arciaga of California. Also entered are the fearless gamecocks of Ray Alexander (Alabama), Carol Nesmith (Mississippi), Dan Gray (Louisiana), Bobby Jones and Donnie Joe Sparks (Texas), James MacWhite and Oscar Akins (Tennessee) and Mike Glover and Scott Baird (Alabama).
Spearheading the Philippine campaign are Danding Cojuangco, James Chiongbian, Nene Araneta, Jun Santiago, Georgie Antonio, Ito Ynares, Jun and Rudy Jingco, brothers, Boy Jiao and Jun Cometa, engineer Pacifico Berin and Rudy Albano, Mario Villamor, Rudy Salud, Lito Orillasa, Alex Escalona, Gov. Raul Molintas, Jojo Binay and Tanggol Eusebio, Peping Cojuangco and Esting Teopaco, Jessie Viceo, Robert So, Eddie and Bomboy Araneta, Jobo del Rosario, Allan Tan, Jet Fernando, Johnny Jalandoni, Iking and Jimmyton Araneta, Blandie Tolentino, Romy Pamatmat, Rolly Ligon, Tos Reyes and John Capinpin.