Sepfourteen headlines Cojuangco Cup today

MANILA, Philippines — Fresh off his thrilling photo finish victory in the recent Philracom Commissioner’s Cup, 2018’s Presidential Gold Cup champion and leading money maker Sepfourteen sets out to solidify his claim as the country’s premier thoroughbred as he challenges 10 other crack gallopers in this afternoon’s featured Henry Cojuangco Cup at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Now on its third running, the Henry Cojuangco Cup is a P1.5 million race spearheaded by local racing’s Hapi Group, in cooperation with the Philracom, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Manila Jockey Club Inc., in honor of the late horseman Enrique “Henry” Cojuangco, a staunch supporter of the local thoroughbred industry.

“The staging of this race is our humble tribute to a man who has devoted a great part of his life towards the improvement of the local thoroughbred industry, a gentleman-horseman who has inspired many among us to enjoy the challenge and the aspiration of breeding and racing top pedigreed horses who may one day become champions,” said Hapi Group stalwart Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.

Triple Crown champion and reigning PSA Horse of the Year Sepfoureteen  will certainly be the event’s main draw, having staged a dramatic comeback last year by decisively winning the prestigious PCSO Presidential Gold Cup and scoring a follow-up victory last month in the Philracom Commissioner’s Cup. The pride and joy of businessman Jojo Velasquez’ SC Stockfarm breeding and racing operation is set to carry top weight of 55 kg for the journey.

Likely to provide a strong challenge to Sepfourteen is the vastly-improved Electric Truth, Mayor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier’s big finishing five-year-old horse, which fell short by just a nose to Sepfourteen in the dramatic dash to the finish line in the recent Commissioner’s Cup.

Not to be overlooked are the chances of proven speedball Salt and Pepper, winner of last year’s PCSO Grand Derby, as well as, the very game Pangalusian Island, conqueror of last year’s PCSO Freedom Cup, which has a penchant for staging huge upset victories in top money events.

Also in the hunt for the top spot are imports Anino (Aus), Certain to Win (Aus), Gomper Girl (USA), Lemon Drop Title (USA), Sooner Time (USA) and War Dancer (USA), as well as, local bet Mandatum. Winner of the race  receives P800,000 and a handsome trophy to the winning connections. Second to fourth placers are assured of P400,000, P200,000  and P100,000, respectively.

Lending support to the main event is the Super Hapi– PCSO Stakes for 3YO local fillies and colts set over a distance of 1,500-meters.

Eleven up-and-coming three-year-olds are entered in the race, sponsored by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes  Office, led by Juvenile Stakes winners’ Forest Cover and My Jopay. Completing the field for the P500,000 guaranteed race are Best Regards, Big Boss James, Gil’s Magic, Melody Amor, Mood Swing, Serafina, Snap Dance, Toy for the Bigboy and TwoTimer.

Dubbed as “A Hapi Racing Event,” the day-long racefest was organized by the Hapi Group, longtime friends and associates of the late Henry Cojuangco, who continue to share his love and passion for the sport of horse racing and its practice.