Philracom charity races net P2M for Marawi, Senate Spouses

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Racing Commission is donating a total of P2,097,834.60 to the Office of the President’s Rehabilitation of the City of Marawi and the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc. from its recent 10 charity races at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Park in Carmona, Cavite.

The Office of the President’s Rehabilitation of the City of Marawi and the Senate Spouses Foundation will get P1,048,917.30 each as their share from the charity races.

Gracing the races on behalf of the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc. was Neil Llamanzares, husband of Sen. Grace Poe, and Josephine Llorca, from the office of Sen. JV Ejercito.     

Llamanzares and Llorca also led the simple awards rites of the Philracom-MJCI Charity Trophy Race 4, attended by Philracom commissioner Andrew Sanchez, commissioners Bienvenido Niles, Jose Santillan, executive director Andrew Rovie Buencamino and MJCI racing manager Jose Ramon Magboo.      

“It’s the Philracom’s own humble contribution to the Office of the President in its efforts to rehabilitate the City of Marawi and to the noteworthy programs of the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc. We know this will go a long way,” said Philracom chairman Sanchez.  

Shoo In, ridden by jockey FM Raquel pulled off a coast-to-coast victory over the distance of 1,500 meters, followed by Johnny Be Good (JB Hernandez). Metamorphosis (Pat Dilema) clinched third.    

Race 6, the other highlight race, was won by Mystic Award (Jockey JD Juco), followed by War Dancer (OP Cortez)  and Medaglia Espresso (JP Guce).            

The 10 charity races were all conducted in accordance with the Philracom’s Rating-Based Handicapping System, which is a result of the commission’s affiliation with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, whose mission is to promote good regulation and best practices on international matters pertaining to the sport. The undertaking at the San Lazaro Park was the fourth special event held by the Philracom for Marawi this year. The first three were held at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Park in Carmona, Cavite (Aug. 13), the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park (Aug. 20) and the Manila Metro Turf in Malvar, Batangas (Aug. 27).        

As a member of IFHA, Philracom is ready to embrace the world standards set by the international body, such as the rating-based handicapping system, equine drug-testing and transfer of technology, thereby making sure that horseracing in the Philippines is held at the highest level.