PGC, PSA Cup 2 on the line today

NAIC, Cavite, Philippines  - Multi-titled horses Ibarra, Go Army and Yes Pogi set out as the hot favorites in today’s 38th PCSO-Presidential Gold Cup in a highly awaited race that may decide the fight for the prestigious PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) horse of the year honor.

 The punishing 2000-meter race is set at 4:40 p.m. at the Santa Ana Park with either Ibarra, Go Army or Yes Pogi expected to dominate and run away with the top prize of P1.5 million staked by the sponsoring Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Native Land, the 2007 champion, Heaven Sent, Lively Dude, Shining Fame, and Rightthererightnow complete the eight-horse cast, one of the toughest ever assembled in the history of the event that began in 1973.

The PSA Cup 2 and the Juvenile championship will also be staged under the sponsorship of the Philippine Racing Commission headed by chair Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, highlighting a 13-race program which begins at 2:30 in the afternoon.

Unlike Ibarra, the 2008 Gold Cup champion who bombed out in his last big outing two months ago, Go Army and Yes Pogi come off impressive victories in the big stage when they go for their first attempt at the Cup.

Owned by businessman-sportsman Hermie Esguerra, Go Army won the Marho Classic a few weeks ago under veteran Jonathan Hernandez while stayer Yes Pogi came from behind to rule the Klub Don Juan derby.

 As former titlist, Ibarra, to be handled by Jessie Guce, will carry a heavy handicap of 59 kilograms, something which many fear may do him harm because of the long distance.

But observers still rate Ibarra very highly since running the punishing route with a heavy load is not new to him and his rider.

Eleven horses will dispute the PSA Cup and the P180,000 top prize, with the Jessie Guce-ridden Mega Red, also owned by Esguerra, tipped to make it a twin kill after winning the PSA Cup 1 early in the year.

Barkley, winner of the juvenile colts in the last Marho festival, is favored in the 1600-meter Juvenile grand championship against 11 others that include promising Triple Crown runners Lord of War, Arvin Dugo and My Keys.

Ibarra, an island-born son of Yonaguska and Fire Down Under, is seeking to become only the fifth horse after Fair and Square, Sun Dancer, Bulldozer and Wind Blown to win this highly-coveted event two times.