Humble Riches tops Don Juan racefest

MANILA, Philippines - Living up to her lofty pre-race billing, crack filly Humble Riches rallied from off the pace to score a most convincing win in the 11th Don Juan Derby – Resorts World Stakes Race, highlight of the record-setting Don Juan Derby racefest last Sunday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

The prized three-year-old galloper, which races under the colors of owner Kenneth Causon and trained by Ruben Clor, stepped up in the last 400 meters and was hardly pressed by jockey Patricio Dilema as she took command in the final stretch en route to victory and the P900,000 guaranteed winner’s purse.

Humble Riches’ impressive Don Juan Derby victory capped the blockbuster racing extravaganza organized by Klub Don Juan de Manila (KDJM) and hosted by the Manila Jockey Club, Inc., with total gross (betting) sales for the week surpassing P156-million, a 15 percent increase compared to last year’s sales.

“In behalf of the officers and members of KDJM, we wish to express out heartfelt appreciation to all of our sponsors – Resorts World Manila, the Philippine Racing Commission, the PCSO, Nenita Farms, Magic Millions Sales Australia, Mustang Security Group, EDMACOM, Excel Coil, Mercury Freight Group, Pryde’s Easifeeds, PrinceACE Corporation, Nature Vet Australia, The Theodore Hotel, Ridgemont Feedmill, Inc., PGA Cars, Hygain Feeds Australia, Ayala Land Corporation, Mr. Edgardo Mundo, Kenneth Causon and Eddie Gonzalez, as well as, the Bayang Karerista – for their invaluable support and contribution to the success of this year’s Don Juan Derby racing festival,” said  KDJM president Tonyboy Eleazar.

Superb race handicapping throughout the Don Juan Derby Week supervised by former KDJM president Jun Almeda came to fore and generated sales of more than P40 million on Don Juan Derby day, improving regular prize for the day to more than P240,000 per race.

“The success of the 11th Don Juan Derby racefest is an affirmation of the event’s enduring popularity among the industry’s direct players, as well as, the racing fans who heavily supported the weeklong race card,” said Almeda.

Members of the Floirendo family also lent their all-out support to the program, which featured the running of the Don Antonio O. Floirendo Sr. Memorial Golden Girls Stakes Race, in honor of the late industrialist-horseman, which was won for the second year in a row by Magic Millions Sales graduate Botbo (AUS).

Owner Sixto Esquivias IV also emerged as big winner on Don Juan Derby day following the back-to-back wins of his prized 2-year-olds Ballet Flats and Boss Jaden in the Philracom-sponsored Don Juan Juvenile Fillies and Colts Stakes Races.