San Lazaro hosts Bagatsing Cup

Manila Jockey Club, Inc. will be hosting the ninth Mayor Ramon Bagatsing Memorial Racing Festival next month featuring stakes and special races at San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

The country’s top thoroughbreds clash for top honors and prizes in various races, including the Philracom’s Division I to III, in the annual event held in honor of the late Manila Mayor and former Congressman Ramon Bagatsing Sr.

The memorial event on Sept. 2-3 aims to continue his legacy of supporting the horseracing industry and provide social and public welfare assistance through the Kabaka Foundation, mirroring two of his past office’s mandate – the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Red Cross.

The cash prizes, along with the traditional gift prizes for the winning horse’s team, will be awarded beginning Sept. 2, while the premier prized races will be held on Sept. 3.

Major sponsors include the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom), PCSO, Resorts World Manila and Solaire Resort & Casino.

Among other race sponsors include Manila Jockey Club (MJC), City of Dreams, Tiger Resorts & Leisure, EEG Development Corp. and Smart Communications.

A parallel gaming industry entity, the Manila Cockers Club (MCC), will sponsor one of the races in a show of support and unity with the horse racing industry.

The theme for this year’s Mayor Ramon Bagatsing Racing Festival is: “UNITY: Race as One” and will feature horses from all three Racing Clubs in a special feature race.

The Philippine Racing Commission has fully supported the rejuvenation of the industry and this year’s Bagatsing Racing Festival will serve as the springboard for more collaborated efforts to usher in a new era of milestones for the horse racing industry.