Top chargers compete in Bagatsing Cup

MANILA, Philippines - The fourth Mayor Ramon Bagatsing Memorial Cup returns to bring more action-packed races this weekend at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park.

The event is staged by the Kabaka Foundation, Inc. and honors the late mayor of Manila, Ramon D. Bagatsing (RDB), a noted sportsman interested in horseracing breeding.

The late mayor’s sons, Manila congressman Amado Bagatsing (5th district) and former Manila congressman and lawyer Ramon Bagatsing Jr., themselves long-time horseowners and breeders, established the event in 2009 as a tribute to their father.

“This year’s RDB Cup will be a very special event because on the 19th, my late father’s birthday, we will be seeing this year’s Triple Crown champion Hagdang Bato competing in the PCSO National Grand Derby,” said Ramon Bagatsing.

There will be 13 races on Sunday, and among the major races are the Mayor Ramon Bagatsing Cup Division I and Division II, sponsored by the Philippine Racing Commission; two Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office-RDB Cup races; the PCSO National Grand Derby; and the Philippines-Japan Friendship Cup.

There will also be support races held Saturday and Sunday, backed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., San Miguel Corporation, Resorts World, EEG Development Corporation, Cong. Albee Benitez, Smart Communications, Solaire Resort and Casino, Tiger Resort and Leisure, All-Tech/Ridgemont Feeds, FR Sevilla Industrial Corporation, Red Bull, San Juan Coliseum, and horseowners’ organizations MARHO, Philtobo, and Klub Don Juan de Manila.

Gran Matador Brandy will be supplying the winning owners, trainers, jockeys, and grooms with a gift pack each.