THE entries for the country’s richest and most prestigious horserace are raring to go in the P10 million 2022 Philracom-PCSO Presidential Gold Cup on Dec. 18 at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas.
Ten of the nation’s best gallopers will compete in the 2,000-meter race offering a top prize of P6 million and the honor of being entered into Philippine horseracing history as a PGC champion.
The cast is led by recently-crowned Philracom-PCSO Silver Cup champion Kennedy Morales’ Boss Emong, which won by the slimmest of margins over another PGC contender, Felizardo “Jun” Sevilla Jr’s Sky Shot.
Not to be left out is Boss Emong’s chief rival for track supremacy, Vice Gov. Leonardo “Sandy” Javier Jr’s Super Swerte.
Silver Cup third-placer, Melaine Habla’s late-charging Big Lagoon, is also in the fold, making the event a game of preparation and strategy.
Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr’s Heneral Kalentong, the 2020 Philracom Triple Crown champion, is also seeing action, coming off a long respite.
Also in the line-up gunning for an upset are 2021 Triple Crown third leg winner War Cannon, Spandau Ballet, Ambisioso, Real Quiet (a Boss Emong tormentor in the past) and Victorious Colt.
The race will feature a battle of wits among some of the top jockeys in the land — Jeffril Zarate, Jesse Guce, Kelvin Abobo, Mark Alvarez, Pati Dilema, John Paul Guce, John Anthony Guce, Oneal Cortez, Jerico Serrano and Joel Siego.
