MJC to stage two stakes races tomorrow

Headliners from the open handicap take center stage tomorrow at the San Lazaro Leisure Park (SLLP) as Manila Jockey Club, Inc. (MJCI) plays host to the running of two featured stakes races at the country’s newest and most modern horse racing complex in Carmona, Cavite.

The back-to-back stakes races cap MJCI’s weeklong program of races held at the club’s world-standard twin-oval racetracks, which has successfully hosted a number of top money stakes events since its opening last April.

"We would like to invite all horse racing aficionados to watch these featured stakes races at our fully-equipped and air-conditioned turf club building ," said MJCI president and chief executive Alfonso Reyno Jr.

Five battle-scarred imports are set to dispute the fourth leg of the Philracom "Imported Stakes Race Series," a 1,500-meter event that carries a total purse of P450,000 sponsored by the Philippine Racing Commission.

Aussie-bred import You Know That, a veteran of the previous legs, finally gets a shot at the big money as she sets out as top favorite in the "Imported Stakes Series." The five-year-old race mare owned by the Eagle Financial Services Group, Inc. (EFSGI) and trained by Arnulfo la Rosa will be skippered by ace journeyman Valentin Dilema for the journey.

Challenging You Know That for the premier spot are seasoned campaigners’ Time Gentleman (AUS), Cosanne (AUS), Midnight Lady (NZ) and Roof Dancer (NZ), to be ridden by jockeys Jeffril Zarate, Jonathan Hernandez, Fernando Raquel Jr. and Virgilio Camañero Jr.

Meanwhile, a crack field of all-comers will be matching strides in the Philracom-MJCI Invitational Race, a P200,000-added race set over a distance of 1,600 meters.

Import-standout Ouzo (NZ) heads the field of probable starters, which also includes top local bets Lyonnais, Lord of All, Staunch Ally and Ariba King, as well as, imports Catwalk Pia and Tiger Babes.