Philtobo races slated Dec. 26

MANILA, Philippines –  Local horse racing’s future superstars make their grand entry into the major league as they compete in the richest race among locally-bred two-year-olds in the 2010 Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Organization (Philtobo) Juvenile Championship on Dec. 26 at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.

With a total guaranteed prize of P2.6-million, the marquee classic showcases the most promising performers from the country’s 2008 foal crop, a select batch of home-bred and island-born gallopers from the country’s leading thoroughbred farms.

“The guaranteed prize money for this year’s Philtobo Juvenile Championship has been increased to P2.6 million from last year’s P2-million purse, to underscore our commitment to promote the breeding and racing of talented and top class gallopers in the two-year-old or juvenile division,” explained Philtobo president Bienvenido “Nonoy” Niles Jr.

Winner of the race, which is set over a distance of 1,600 meters, is guaranteed a top prize of P1.56 million with second to fourth placers set to receive P585,000, P325,000 and P130,000, respectively.

Unlike last year’s championship however, this year’s edition of the Philtobo Juvenile Championship promises to be a wide open affair for the top spot, featuring promising contenders, including Hermie Esguerra’s Herran and Pritil, Wilbert Tan’s Sulong Pinoy and Gandang Pinay, Manny Santos’ Hari ng Yambo, Tito de Jesus’ Sha Na Na, Emmanuel King Jr.’s Hi Money, Nonoy Niles’ Charming Santi, Edward Tan’s Fargo and Sixto Esquivia’s Prince Isiah.

Emerging as a live contender for the Philtobo Juvenile Championship title is Wilbert Tan’s well-performed filly Gandang Pinay, one of only three fillies in the field by proven sire Hezagonewest out of the mare Kitcat, and set to be skippered by leading Jockey of the Year candidate Jesse Guce, Gandang Pinay’s most notable claim to fame is her stirring come-from-behind victory in the third leg of the Philracom Juvenile Fillies Stakes last Aug. 14.

In addition to Gandang Pinay, also highly regarded are Hi Money (Mr. Sutter – Hey Hi), an impressive winer of the recent Herma Farms and Stud Produce Stakes Race and Charming Santi (Flatter – Susan’s Charmer) one of three so-called island-borns in the field which also includes Prince Isiah (Golden Missile – Emily Spinach) and Hari ng Yambo (Chapel Royal – Daulide).

IN addition to the rich 2-year-old championship, Philtobo will also be hosting three other major stakes event onDec. 26, including the P500,000 Philtobo Classic to be bannered by Hermie Esguerra’s go Army, and the Philtobo 3YO Colts and Philtobo 3YO Fillies Stakes, carrying total prize of P400,000 each.