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Obie Lim

  GK # 2

RES JUDICATA...VS... PAY D' CLAY
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1994
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Words cannot express what transpired in this history-making event.
This track battle was regarded by many as one of the Most Awaited ,
Most Talked-About,and Most Loaded with debates and argument .
Not even the dreaded triple crowns nor the PM derbies can match the
thrill and excitement generated to full blast by this race.
Kalahati ng mananaya - lumagay kay Pay D' Clay (joe noel camu),
Kay Res Judicata (renato gil) – ganun din,halos kalahati.
Pagbukas ng aparato, bandera si Judicata, ang haba kasi ng mga binti.
Tutok si Clay, striking distance, marami ang nagtataka - papaanong
naitutok ni Noel ang kabayo niyang normal lang ang mga binti.
And the others were far behind, no chinaman's chance whatsoever.
Pagliko ng Ultimo quarto, sigawan lahat dahil Neck-and-Neck na
Pakawala si Noel, bitaw na rin si Nhat…pukpok si Noel, bomba si Nhat.
Tulak, palo, tadyak,hataw,dikdik..…pandemonium in the stands.
The fans literally jumping with joy…straining their vocal cords.
Gil's fans shouted           " Hindi ka lalampas dyan !!!"
Camu fans answered     " Sa meta tayo magkikita !!!"
Hanggang last 150 meters. Neck-and neck pa rin,what a race!!!
This was the point Lito Daquis came thundering down the stretch with
Strong Material on the farther outside…silencing the crowd.
And stamping his mark in history.
       How can I forget this momentous event,
       tumama kami kay Strong….double laang.

   GK # 3

        SKYWALKER                       HEADMASTER
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   1983
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   Veteran railbirds say Skywalker possessed the most magnificent
   strides and running form seldom seen in the oval . And I agree
   with them.  Owning the distinction as the horse who beat
   Fair N' Square, seeing Sky burn the tracks with Bobot Samodio
   aboard is such a sight to behold.
   Bot was truly born to   ride the skywalking horse.
   Very rarely do we see jockeys "tailor-made" for their mounts.
   Just some examples picked at random:
   Kiko is to PANIC KEY, Bobok is to FLASH DANCE,
   Kadyo to WONDER B, Monching grabbed THREE in ONE,
   Oyet had MODESTY ASIDE.Joey only to   EXPARTE
   Viong to KISSING BANDIT, BorNok to  HeRm's WAY…..
   Gilbert to BULL RIDER…Ponga to IRON LADY   Ebot to   MIKARLA
   Pol rode BOTA FLORES, Entong got PAO PAO's PET
   BeRnie to KING RESTIE,Dhunoy mastered EXCHANGE DEAL
   Johnny's expert handling  of  RADIO AiRWAVES…
   the incomparable  CELEBRATED RULER  with Noel Camu skipper …..
   And of course my favorite angol – D.I.Castro with AuAu's GRACELAND.
   Let us not forget that Skywalker started his early days of running
   with no less than El Maestro himself, Bong Guce.
   SPEED and grace. nothing less...overwhelming fave on race day.
   But days before the race,  I told my friends – I will bet on Mang Andres
because Sky never matched the last 2 quarters of Head in prior races.
   Kahit sa tranco, impressibo si Headmaster, 25 – 25 – 25 medya .
Why is Sky outstanding favorite…?
........But no one listened.
..........and the rest, as they say
.... ......is history.

     GYPSY GREY
                      LITTLE MORNING
                                               FIORELLA
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1976
-----------------
Unknown to many, but this Pres.Gold Cup race is the most memorable
of all the Gold Cups even if you ask the Tayuman pioneers.
The race not only showcased the riding talent of our very own premiere
jockey Jesus, but also portrayed the determination  & fighting heart
of horse Fiorella (the giant-killer).
Weeks before the race, Fiorella had this bad habit of
stopping in the backstretch (nanlalamig at humihinto).
And this made the Yulo stable a bit too-confident.
Because of this impression,they assigned Andres Camba to ride
Little Morning instead of   Gypsy Grey who apparently was in peak form .
This drew negative remarks from the racing public.
so "why let your star jockey ride the other entry?" was the vehement outcry of
the fans.Mr. Yulo replied with conviction– "bakit mas marunong pa kayo".
A decision that will go down in history as one of the Most Costly blunders,
if not the costliest. Nagmatigas ang kwadra. Putting Jockey Robin on Grey…..
    Gates fly back…
     ang gandang tingnan ng arangkada, dahil parang may puting elepante
     sa unahan. Bandera si Grey. Tutok si Bong sa bandang puwitan ni
     Grey, para hindi manlamig si Fiorella, at umaasang wag hihinto.
Paglampas ng media milya , bibong konti si Robin, subalit hindi
     nakalayo.   Ikaw kaya tutukan ng batanguenyong hinete.
     Pagdating sa kurba, bumira na si Robin, hindi pa rin makalayo,
     sensing danger at this point. Pero kumpyansa pa din ang llamado,
     akala kayang-kaya.
     Kalagitnaan ng rekta, may parang hangin
     na umihip na hindi maintindihan …
     hindi naman hangin amihan. Last 50 meters,
    chumak sa labas si Bong Guce. Probably
   the biggest upset of his life, steals the race
by a head.    Very RARELY does he make
    paikot latigo.. victory is blood,sweat, & tears.
    another feather in his cap.
Gretchen Cojuangco was all smiles…
    she thanked her trainer - the unsung hero.
    Naka-kiss tuloy si Bong sa napakagandang dilag na Muse of the Day.
    Guess who?… the muse was none other than 16 yr.old Alma Moreno.

  GK # 1

        ILOCOS KING                 REPORTER
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   (early 1970's)

  Let no one ever dare dispute their popularity and greatness.
Their glory has been immeasureable.
The legend was handed down from generation to generation with
never-ending stories ,myths, and tales which even our grandchildren
and their offsprings will learn to appreciate…
Ilocos King was the top horse of the land during his time.
He was piloted by the irrepressible Jockey Crisencio.
Reporter was the dark horse and given a slim chance
for the simple reason that he was a small horse.
The cunning Jockey Botardo handled the reigns.
They both crossed the Pay-off wire at the same time and
that Photo Finish is the main reason why they are forever
embedded in the deepest recesses of the racing fan's mind.
Forever etched in the hearts of all tru-blu racing enthusiasts.
Reporter won the photo…… and a date with immortality.
If he lost that race, he would be just another forgettable horse in history.
But why, how, why did he win that match ?
Because that match was made in Heaven.

The 45 Greatest Giant Killers

1970 - 2002

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   CHARLEMAGNE
                                MY PREPERIDO
                                                                 BLOCKBUSTER
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2001
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Prized possession of the Puyat stable, this horse scored consecutive
      victories with remarkable ease but devilish strides, reminiscent of
      Mazurka and Pandee Boy in the 1970's.   at times breezing home
      in some of their victories............ Not until intrigue crept in.
      Unverified stories spread like   wildfire accusing Charlemagne of
      being injected with a substance before each race he ran.
          So the PRC conspirators had to think of a kicker.
      One Wednesday evening in February 2001, Charlemagne was to run
      in Race 6, the post time of which was 7:30pm.   The conspirators
      intentionally delayed the race by 58 minutes, for the main reason of
      diluting the alleged substance injected into Charlemagne's body.
      Para matunaw at mawalang bisa ang anumang itinurok sa kabayo.
        The ploy was successful................................... BY THE WAY IT APPEARED

Passing by the judges' stand, the usual watching in third position
of Charlemagne, the fans thinking they will see just another replay .
Mid-backstretch, Edwin makes the "painit".   But no heat it seems.
        So at the far turn, he uses the latigo– to no avail.
        That vaunted  finishing kick was not to be seen this time.
A far second favorite - My Preperido well-placed in sixth, suddenly
sneaked into the lead, with the then still-young Pat Dilema showing
the guys in Makati that he can do the "slide-in play" better than their
idol, the flamboyant Badjao Recosana. Although many still believed
Badjao was more talented.
Dilema opened up 2 lengths in the last 150 but could not contain a
blistering stretch drive of a longshot  on his right side.
At the Pay-off wire , the race was snatched away by BLOCKBUSTER
ridden by the then also-young Jesse Guce giving a "smoke signal"
to the OTBs that he will be a thoRn of a jockey in the future.
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TERRIFIC ...ONE OF THE BEST RACES for the year
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      GK # 5

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                           CHORUS LINE                     GOLPE
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Roger Valencia alighted from the Jockeys' quarter in a pensive mood
and burdened by a big task on his shoulders. But who cares?
He knows his mount GOLPE is a distant second choice and
they are up against a monster favorite CHORUS LINE who has
je c guce   in the irons . Indeed a stiff opposition for the
gutsy rider. Making it  even stiffer is the presence of
third-choice CALYPSO LADY who is likewise a sprinter.
Roger knows that this runner will surely disrupt his pace-setting
tactics   as Golpe is also a sprinter.
Gates fly back. As expected, Golpe could not establish "solo-ayre."
Calypso Lady was by the rail . Chorus line was in striking-distance
fifth. At the far turn, Roger plucked the reigns, taking a neck lead
but just could not make that much-desired "alagwa".
Calypso Lady was too tough on the inside.
This was the moment Joseph Guce was waiting for - to let all know
what stuff he was made of.
Into the homestretch, Roger still could not increase the neck lead.
Down the stretch and headed for home, its still a neck lead. Golpe
on the outside, Calypso by the rail. Whatever is happening to
Chorus Line, be it mentally or physically, remains a puzzle to many
as the viewers watched the last 200 meters unfold. The top choice
is still hugging in third. And finally at the pay-off wire, Golpe.
                                          Calypso Lady - place....Chorus Line - show.

                                                          rc valencia outwits the 2 cousins.
                                                           terribly disappointed je c guce   unlocks
                                                           the strap of his helmet in sarcastic motion.

            HONOR ROLL                   ROCKET STAR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fans may forget the names of these gallant chargers but they will
never forget the names of the 2 top-caliber jockeys who handled
them and tic-marked for their excellence in handling   stayers.
  Kiko Galang was the most-feared rider during his heyday.
He rode Honor Roll, his talking horse.
Roger Valencia was just as feared too but was better known
for his track savVy and taking a race when he wants to.
He rode Rocket Star, the envy of many.
Daily double sales were dumped on these 2 horses.
Gates fly back. Three longshots take the front.
Media milya, pang-apat si Honor Roll, pang-anim si Rocket.
Pagdating sa kurbada, nagpakawala na po kamo pareho.
Animo tatalsik sa mga sakay nila dahil sa lakas ng kayog.
Pagpasok ng rekta, naka segundo na si Kiko, nasa labas si
Roger sa tercero. Walang angat angat.
Parehas silang buhos sa derecha. Parehas din natalo.
Tinapos ni Bong ang bandera - dehado si HOT SUMMER.

           MR. MARTIAL .....VS.....SATANELLA
-----------PEPE SAULOG-------------------KIKO GALANG----------------------------
1979
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The horse was all black and shiny, with all those
well-chiselled muscles and with a legendary rider,
Pepe Saulog on top,
what else can the betting public ask for. Walk in the Park?
Not really, but its better to call it a simple workout.
Mr. Martial paraded like a derby champ, with all that poise.
Reminding us so much of HOME SWEET HOME and PREMIERE GOLD.

Gates fly back.   The track was rain-soaked, wet,
rain-drenched, putik, basa ang pista, putikan,
bad track as we call it, and thus the popular
belief that the race will be easier to handle if the favorite
was a natural  sprinter and the jockey a quick thinker..
Opening up two lengths at the clubhouse bend,
there was no imminent danger even in the mid-backstretch.
Sailing like a yatch at the last bend, it seemed like race over for
the Martial.   A dark horse, Satanella was visibly moving from
seventh to third position but didnt look much of a threat.
Not until the last 200 meters.
The fans suddenly saw acceleration from the longshot.
"Palo Pepe, palo", they shouted as it was the only way
                                  to thwart a juggeRnaut rally.
Satanella was on the right side of the Martial...one length away.
They both crossed the wire at the same time, photo needed.
Everyone shocked, just could not believe the incredible race.
       Witnesses at the finish line shouted "natuka ni Kiko".
          But the stewards came out with a verdict =

PAY D' CLAY
1995...PCSO SILVER CUP winner
(annual race)
Added Notes:
Clay also belongs to the elite list of
Sweepstakes Maiden Race winners.
Saddled by Noel Camu,
they registered a fast clip of 1:36 with
a six-length margin over Fair Native(bobot)
and My Romance(bong)

                          PRINCE CHARMING GARDEN of EDEN
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1985
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Two tough, promising, powerful horses in their prime, FACE 2 FACE
in   one regular race at the Felix Huertas rendezvous.
It was a toss-up, and the other entries given no chance to win.
Gates fly back.... out in front was a dehado - Queen of Town,
looking so cool, as cool as its jockey- r.a.agustin.
Napakaswabe talaga rumenda ni Entong, parang si Jaja -
[alas ng mga Ladiana].
Media milya, tercero puesto si Garden, pang-lima si Prince ,
naka-ngiti pa si Frankie...partida daw kuno.
Hindi pa sumasapit ng likuan, nagpakawala na pareho.
BOOM ... Parang may tropical depression at
ToRnado na nakapasok sa hippodromo.
Tumapak si Kiko sa clutch at kumambyo,
KLAK ...naka-segundo pwesto na siya
subalit hindi makalayo....naka-tercerong parang linta si Garden.

Down the stretch and headed for home,
       its Queen of Town by a length,
       Prince Charming on the outside,
      Garden of Eden on the farther outside.
       And finally,
       Queen of Town.

                                               ROYAL SIGNAL

                                               JUNGLE BEAUTY
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Dekada "80s
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Mas tanyag pa sila kaysa sa mga stakes runners sa dekada
  nila.  Subalit wag  natin   kakalimutan  ang  mga  kapanabayan
na sina   B-THOUGHTFUL, RAYO,  SNAKE KING , SUCCEED,
ROARING CYCLONE, CM's PRIDE, BEAU FANCY, at ang
napakatibay sa unahan na   ZIPPER KING ni Dave Ferrer.
Mapa-Santa Ana, mapa- San Lazaro, bastat naka-eskrito
ang mga batikang ito, sobra ang excitement at sigla ng mga
karerista. Yung mga umorder ng paborito nilang papaitan at
camto sa MJC,   dinuguan at mechado sa PRC,
bibitawan ang mga plato nila   basta red flag is up.
Papaanong hindi magiging excited, eh paborito nila ang sasakay.
Si Pogie-Rino Infantado at si Mr. Glamour - Boboc Domingo Jr.
Sa sobrang lakas ng karisma, para bagang may hipnotismo
sa tao ang dalawang ito na kung bakit sa tuwing  paparada,
ay umiikot na ang mga pwet ng fans at lakad ng lakad na parang
may nakitang artista sa buhangin. Lingon ng lingon, hindi naman
magbabago   ang itsura ng idol nila.
Pero isang araw ay nadale sila ng trainer ni SNAKE KING.
Lihim na hinahasa pala sa pista ng Santa Ana at may ginawa
pa sa kabayo na sila lang ang nakakaalam.
Kaya pagtakbo ay parang si SAN DIEGO FORCE ang
nasa unahan.........Banderang Tapos.

       ENCHANTRESS               MISS BEGONE
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1996
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These two impact horses were so popular during their time that it
reminds us   of the heated rivalry between Native Gambler and
Stage Whisper of olden days.
Both boasting of impressive landslide wins in the past weeks,
MIss Begone and Enchantress were odds-on favorites on the
betting and the fans were treated once more to one of those
not so often 2 top-favorites take your pick race.
Half-mile post viewing saw Miss Begone looking like the
probable winner due to its better-looking position at third.
Enchantress was in seventh but everybody knows
how this horse explodes   when cut loose.
At the last bend, Miss Begone shoving in front by two,
but in no time at all, hounded by Enchantress on the right flank.
bothering and sticking like glue.      All eyes focused on the two
monkey riders not noticing that Joey's mount is now in third spot
closing in within pitching distance.
Into the homestretch -
The jockey of Ms.Begone applying some not-so-good swerving
tactics so as to disrupt the momentum of Enchantress.
As a result - Leaving the rail wide open to the dark horse of
Joey Reyes Macaraig.........KITTY MAC
Swak sa balya. .........tapos ang karera..

JAPAN RACING CUP 102096

   HONOR ROLL was ridden by jockey Elias when
   they copped the Sweepstakes race in April 1978.
   Owner Jose Cojuangco collected Prize of P 80,000..

     FOOLHARDY   FIRE BELL
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1977
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Another nerve-racking finish. This time Fire Bell the longshot
owned by Mr. Isip was the one in front with jockey Bibera
having no inkling   whatsoever   this would turn out to be a
thrilling stretch duel.
Foolhardy, a stayer owned by Mr. Poe was the outstanding
favorite   because of impressive recent victories.
The only problem is - bettors didnt know how the horse
   will fare in a muddy track which for sure
only the  trainer has knowledge about ...

Into the homestretch, Fire Bell by a length.
The jockey of Foolhardy already used the whip but no instant
closing in by the outstanding favorite. The fans starting to sense
some possible upset or apparent viaje in the making.
It was still raining and common sense dictates =
performance differs when conditions change,
its Fire Bell by a head and Foolhardy on the outside...
And at the Pay-off wire, too tight to call.
Some fans went down the stadium to take some cold drinks or
coffee to ease some  disappointment and headache.
Foolhardy was declared winner but many believed
the results  were rigged.
That........ is the power of being race steward/judge/official.

DIPLOMATIC BULL
---------------------------------------------------------- 2002

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I have never seen an apprentice rider handle this type of race
atop a longshot with so much spirit and courage like  this jockey -
rogel bolivar.    Three times he was threatened in the race and
three times he  doused cold water on  his challengers.
It is deemed immaterial to mention who the opponents were but
just describing how the race was run - is enough to raise one's
curiousity, and eventually,      admire the rider.
Diplomatic Bull was a sprinter with tremendous kicking legs but the
decision by the trainer to put such a young jockey on the sTiRRups
raised many eyebrows.

Into the Backstretch - Diplomatic Bull in front as expected.
But what  they did not expect -was the early move of the second
favorite in the betting. Bolivar just gave a mild push, and back to
a length lead. Come the last bend for home, this time the
move by the third favorite challenging on the outside.    Bolivar
pummelled the reigns , but could not increase his one
length lead. It was anybody's race. Three horses now visible in the
stretch drive to the club announcer's hawk eyes.
Diplomatic hanging on to a half-length lead with the jockey pouring on
all the energy he's got. With 50 meters to go, this time its the
top favorite making a bid on the outside. Catching the Bull in the
nick of time....forging a beautiful photo finish.

IF you had a bet on this horse, you probably could hear your heart
pounding so hard.   A far,far, fourth choice in the betting,
     Diplomatic Bull won the photo by a nose,

awakening all the gods in the Felix Huertas / Consuelo area
   who helped him caRRy his horse like Laffit Pincay. -------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FANTASTIC RACE

Still makes the Parade, but this time
parading before his Creator.
We miss you , Bot.......so much.

                                                                                               GK #
        =================================
GOOD OLE DAYS   DAMPOL
        ------------------------------------------------------------
A race made so memorable to the rider of Dampol -Mandy Lumagui
but maybe more memorable to   the backers and bettors of the
outstanding favorite Good Ole Days due to unwriteable reasons.
To lose a Daily Double bet on an outstanding favorite is noRmal
occurence at the races, but to lose a bet on an outstanding favorite
in a Winner-Take-All  " PARATING"      is a different story.
We dont wish to mention Ole Days' rider here to avoid defamation in this case.
The scenario - it was the last leg of the WTA, and the live units
are as follows :  two(2) live units on Good Ole Days (outstanding fave)
and only one(1) on Dampol ( far, far second choice in the sales).
Gates open, a longshot shows the way.
Half mile, Dampol looking so pretty in
second,    Good Ole in fourth.
Entering homestretch , Dampol grabs the
  lead , Mandy takes a quick look at his
  back - just could not believe what he
saw = Good Ole Days is 4 lengths
behind and NOT even closing in .
So, what happens next?
   Dampol crosses the finish all alone
   with plenty to spare.

Whoever is the holder of that garbaged
2 live units will remain  a mystery till eternity,
unless he speaks up one day .
The sad part of the story is -
     similar events like this happened time and again ;
     sometimes even two horses together in one race.....
     both top favorites, both losing PARATING sa WTA.

Remember BURNING LIGHT and BUMPER TO BUMPER ?

TAGGED as the only rider who can outduel
Danilo Castro head-to-head down the stretch,
Kiko Galang spent some time training in
London in his early years.

Sweepstakes Race May 1981
-------------------------------------------
PRINCE CHARMING - ELIAS    / J.COJUANGCO
ZIPPER KING           - EDUARDO jr / D. FERRER
L'MOUR                  - JESUS GUCE / R.SABIDO
ACROBAT             - SAMODIO     / N.JACINTO
SERVE N' VOLLEY - VALENCIA   / A.SANTOS

=====================================================
                 BIG DREAMS     VS   BY AND BY
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1999 , 2000, 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was still an employee then at PNB Financial Center, Roxas Blvd as I bumped into
this guy, actually an alalay of a racehorse trainer. We had lunch together at the
Bank's canteen. After finishing his meal, I saw him bring out a racing program.
Thus the irresistible conversation ensued, as comes naturally between racing
"classmates". Due to that chat, we became allies then, sharing exasperating
race stories, including tips of course. Until one day, he mentioned about
horse BY AND BY, saying, "magkakapera tayo dito konting tiis at paghihintay
lang."     In other words, lets all wait for the eskRito in the days to come.
Three months passed, five months passed, still no sign of BY and BY.
The racing buffs in the bank grew impatient, "kinatay na ata kabayo mo??"
Mr. Naseco replied, "wait lang kayo, pag may tiyaga, may nilaga."
Finally, after eleven months of waiting, that day came. The horse was scheduled
in Race 14.   As expected, everyone excited, not even minding to ask kung
ilalaban ba o hindi. Kanya-kanyang lista na ng mga taya sa scratch paper.
Double, extra-double, quartet, WTA, at forecast.     Heka nung isa -
Hindi na baleng matalo sa Take-All, basta tamaan natin double - laban sa lahat.
Sinking in deep thought as I rode that FX from Cubao to Marikina ,
nothing else pierced my brain but that race. As I reached the OTB in Concepcion,
fall in line at once at baka maabutan ng pagparada. Kinuha ko - dobol at f-cast lang.
While making the usual checking of tickets, my karanchos  came into view.
Asked them - "ano taya nyo?" They replied "Big Dreams". After a brief talk,
i learned that many of the OTB bettors knew of the tip - B.Dreams. So nobody
  bothered to ask me what my bet was. They were all settled with B.Dreams as
I was with BY and BY, both of them longshots...both inside the same race,
  Big Dreams is Fourth favorite,    BY and BY - Seventh in the betting.

Gates slam back, visibility low, could not spot where the two horses were.
Too far from the leader.   Entering backstretch, club announcer zoomed in on
BIG DREAMS by the rail in FiFth position, ........BY AND BY in tenth spot.
As the pact reached the far turn, all hell broke loose in the OTB as they saw
Big Dreams grab the lead. The shouting was deafening, the cheering got so loud
w/ banging of tables and chairs. Only a lower group race but BeRnie Lumagui
made his horse run like PANJEE and PRO BONO of the past, pulverizing
  the reigns, outhustling   the favorites by 2 lengths at the top of the stretch.
  Down to the last 150, BIG DREAMS still ahead
  but there was a horse slicing in by the rail we could not hear the TV
due to the kantyawan and loud chants of the cheeRing squads left and right.

Club announcer shouts:

And nearing the pay-off-wire, its Big Dreams by half a length,
BY AND BY moving up by the rail. And finally = BY AND BY.
Jockey

The Off-Track suddenly silent, as silent as the caves in Malolos.

Forecast paid P 1,080.

D.D. paid P 974. A.Y. PADUA JR.

GK

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BEWARE                                   POL - - - 1980s
BASI's BOY                        CATAJAN- - - 1970s
MIGHTY's WORLD                  SARATAN - - - 1970s

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If one were to make a survey - "who do you think is the most
prolific  longshot of all time?".....then these 3  above will most
probably pop out in one's mind. This of course depends on
your personal judgment. Because we also have
GOLD BAY   and SALLY FOREVER
who can easily make the list,
not to mention the   popular longshots in the stables of
Teopaco, Grande,   Chiongbian and Zuzuaregui,
just to mention a few.

As the Americans say -
"Horseracing is all about
longshots winning
and favorites losing."

Horse BEWARE won in one gloomy Saturday afternoon at the
MJC which sent almost half of the afficionados going home.
The name of the horse speaking for itself, the fans did not watch
out as it was partnered with Grande Mas in the daily double
which paid off a whopping 55,000. pesos for every ticket.
This to the best of my recollection is a record.
Not very far is the dividend posted by Yeng's horse
NURTURE NATURE which paid somewhere around 51,000.
But this happened many years later.

GK # 15
CLASSIC ENCOUNTER
====================================================

             PERSIAN EMPIRE TAKETO
                            WILFREDO                                                       ELIAS
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   The Greatest PCSO event of all time                                                            1973, 1974,   1975
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It was one of those very memorable  Sweepstakes races but
to those who have a keener sense of history, it was
THE most glorious sweeps of all time...a dream race actually.
...............stable VS stable ,      trainer VS trainer
................ magnificent jock   VS   premiere jock
....................sprinter VS  versatile horse
During those times, fans were well-informed when there
was a forth-coming maiden race with thoroughbreds running.
Nothing is more memorable than the first race of any
good horse, or make it a superhorse for that matter.
Weeks before the main event , the usual silip ng silip.
The workouts were just too good and  very impressive with
Taketo enjoying the slight edge on the clockings.
   Add to that the psychological edge -  ace rider Elias Ordiales.
As expected - he was the favorite in the actual race.

Gates open..... good start, all eyes on the two gladiators.
Jockey Wilfredo knew his mount makes the arangkada
quicker than the favorite, so he had to be doubly alert.
If Taketo takes the early lead - they're finished.
Media milya, alalay si Loloy, hindi puedeng itodo-meter   =
sabi ng trainer.    Si Eleng, nasa tercero, tila ata masyadong
tinitipid. Pagdating sa kurbada, pinakawalan ni Eleng pero
  hindi lumampas, ni hindi makadikit.
Parang si   MAD MAD WORLD ang nasa unahan.
   Hanggang pagsapit ng meta - hindi man lang naka-amoy
   ng buntot.

    Heka ng mga beterano " Talagang maiden race......
hindi mo maaaring asahan na lalabas
     ang tunay na husay ng kabayo.
    " Bulalas naman ng  mga alaskador sa kanto -
           " Mas magaling talaga si Loloy" ....
         Sumagot naman mga fans ni Eleng :
           " hay   naku....maghanap kayo ng kausap nyo."

    CITRUS BARON.........jockey pancho
------------------------------------------------
A HORSE IN THE EARLY 70s
COMING FROM NINTH
POSITION, JUMPED
TO  FOURTH AT THE FAR TURN,
RACED   WIDE    ENTERING
THE HOMESTRETCH,
    ALMOST   HITTING THE WALL.
    BUT STILL WON THE RACE AS A
    LONGSHOT.

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PRECIOUS ADVICE TO THE YOUNGSTERS:
===================================
DO NOT FORCE YOURSELF TO HIT BIG
DIVIDENDS..... IT IS A LONG LEARNING
PROCESS.....BE PATIENT ...
        HORSERACING IS INSTINCT
       AND INTUITION
       COMBINED WITH EXPERIENCE.

-

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            MY PRAYER VS      NOBLE TRUTH
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just a regular race in 1972 but capable of giving
anybody   in the track area a cardiac arrest.
Noble Truth was ridden by the much-fancied Jockey Saratan-
the rider who left behind so many memories to his fans.
Perhaps it was his ITIK-ITIK  style which helped engrave
those memories, but this is not to downgrade of course
the talent of the rider. He was a damn good one too.
My Prayer was ridden by legendary Wilfredo.
His connections knew they were in for a tough match.
Their opponent was an impact horse and the llamado in the
sales but Loloy knew deep inside they had a chance.
Just like Joe Cantada's lines in a Crispa-Toyota game,
     "the breaks will determine the outcome."

Gates fly back, My Prayer popping out like a bullet just like
the way  WENDYs COMET does it so easily. The inboRn talent
of the horse just cannot be denied the front position.
Opening up daylight at mid-backstretch, looks like
race is done as the other entries looked like scrambling ponies.
At the last bend, lead cut down to two and a half lengths.
Saratan was closing in but not really that fast.
Down to the last 150, still two lengths but when miracles are
bound to happen,   no one will ever know.
They both crossed the wire   in a  rousing   photo-finish.
Technology was infant stage during those days compared to
present day racing where  we guys get too fortunate
for having  this luxury to  view a slo-mo replay anytime.


             In olden days, everything depends on the picture
               developed by the photo patrol. So if your bet gets
               entangled in a  gripping photo, magdasal ka na.
               Because its harsh reality = majority of the fans
               were not even sure of themselves whether
               to trust the photo patrol or not.


                      Verdict : PRAYER noses out TRUTH.

Rizalito Agustin
They say he was good
only atop stayers, but
notice the way he
handled those
sprinters = its nothing
short of spectacular.

       Guarino Infantado
   mystical, unpredictable
    which makes him
   very exciting to watch.
RACE STRATEGY NONPAREIL

        Eduardo Domingo Jr.
    His intelligence and aura is
    beyond the comprehension
    of the ordinary racing fan.
    Guys like Bobok come
    around ONLY ONCE in
     every 50 years.

   Probably the
    best race ran
    by Jockey Bibera...
    were he not robbed.

Balajadia painted champ Fiorella taken from :
BUSINESS MIRROR
THERE'S this one painting I noticed late last year at the showroom of Jaguar and Land Rover at the Enrique Zobel building in Buendia, Makati when it launched the all-new Jaguar XK.
I wasn't able to go nearer to the painting but I knew that the painting is somewhat familiar with what I have at home. Some weeks back during the Jaguar-Land Rover Invitational Golf Tournament at the Sta. Elena Golf & Country Club, it was no less than Willie Soong, the amiable chairman and president of Jaguar Philippines, who identified the painting.
"That one was done by Roberto Balajadia and it has a really interesting story that I would like to tell you," he said, as goose bumps crawled in his arms as I mentioned to him that the said painter had already died two years ago.
"That painting was actually given to me by my wife several years ago and the horse painted on it is named Fiorella, a champion horse owned by Gretchen Cojuangco (yes, the wife of Amb. Danding Cojuangco Jr.)."
Fiorella was the 1976 Presidential Gold Cup Champion and the fourth one since the blue-ribbon event was inaugurated in 1973. The first three champions were Sun God, Ilocos King and Henna's Gold in that order.

  Added Notes   :
   Two weeks before this
   race took place,
   a serious contender -
   RISING SUN was
   scratched due to injury.
==============.
res ju·di·ca·ta (rz d-kät, rs) ad·ju·di·ca·ta (-j -)
NOUN:
An adjudicated issue that cannot be relitigated.

   RES JUDICATA
   1st Leg
   Triple Crown Winner
   ............................1993

GK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            AFTERTHOUGHT VS URAJIMIRU
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      August 1992
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    It was about 4 races before day's end in another afternoon
    of exciting race cards.    Some fans   who wanted to leave the
    venue, preferred to stay for a while, just to see this horse in the flesh .
    Groomed and trained from a well-known stable,
    Afterthought   paraded with pride, never been better,
    very confident and in excellent condition,
with jockey es de jesus thinking of just  making
   mincemeat of the opposition .
    Second choice MAD MAD WORLD was ridden
    by mf daquis but stayed a distant second favorite so you can
    just imagine how the crowd trusts AFTERTHOUGHT.
    MARIELLE's PET was with jr macaraig, they were third choice and
    URAJIMIRU was sixth in the betting.
Leaving the far turn, Afterthought could not increase its lead.
   Not exactly in danger but the fans were expecting the favorite to
   open up at least two lengths   before swinging for home.
    The jockey applies the whip on the left side,    no change   in
    race complexion.   So he makes cambio latigo, still no change.
URAJIMIRU in second position, smells blood at this point.
MAD MAD WORLDfloating like a butterfly in fourth.

   Down the stretch and headed for home, only by a length.
Last 150 meters, Bobot Samodio applies the dreaded
    final 10  or in age-old lingo    " tinen seconds ang kalaban"
atop URAJIMIRU, to the horror of the lyamadistas.
      Beating the favorite by half a length at the wire.
      The hippodrome in silent mode,   very quiet.

        IN THE 1970s...  4 JOCKEYS DO THIS TRICK   WITH CUTTING EDGE PRECISION.

        JUANING MACARAIG, PEPE SAULOG, PABLITO, and HENSON.

By some stroke of luck or fate,
a giant killer is sometimes truly better than the other horse.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       MARBLE PRINCESS VS   CAVITE STARLET
"ROMEO" R.R.PUA ELIAS ORDIALES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1971......taken from numerous first-hand testimonies of old-time racing afficionados

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Again one of those classic cardiac finishes filled with side-stories
    and adlib, but can you blame the script-writers ? ?
    Some people are by nature so fond of shall we say  hearsay and
    jumping to conclusion, some even  making comments  as if they were
   the ones (nagpapaligo) bathing the horse.    Not everyone of course.
                                         As the saying   goes - bato bato sa langit,
                                                              ang tamaan puede mag-apila.
Cavite Starlet was such a maRvelous horse during his time and was ridden by legendary Elias.   Coming out from a romp of its last 3  races, he was the heavy favorite before and after the parade. Marble Princess was on all angles a fine, well-oiled running  creature but this time she was the underdog for just some unspecified reason,   fans thought  she  cannot match   the speed of the favorite .
CAVITE STARLET was the  EMPIRE KING of olden days.

   Into the homestretch, Marble Princess by a length and a half.
    Cavite Starlet is running in second.   Down the stretch and
    headed for home, Marble Princess   by only a length.
    Cavite Starlet is pressing on the outside.
And nearing the  pay-off wire, Marble Princess by  half a length,
    Cavite Starlet has its reigns locked, no pushing motion whatsoever.
    And finally, Marble Princess.

The watchers booed the scene they just saw.
   Threw paper and rubbish on the track sand.
   Some of our Uncles and  Lolos say it was
   the worst FIXED RACE they have ever
   seen   in Sta. Ana since time immemorial.

    Jockey Elias  scampers back towards the
    weighing area (timbangan) incommunicado
    and as fast   as he could,   thinking he
    might get trapped in a mad   crowd Riot.

END  RESULTS : NO SUSPENSION GIVEN.

1980s
The Sweepstakes event almost forgotten by all, it was a star-studded
affair. The parade of entries almost looking like a stakes race march.
The  jockeys' silks were so brilliant and in beautiful color combination.
All the riders   wishing they could win this one because this
race is so fresh and worth remembering.
Of course all the horses' names were new to the racing fans but
this did not matter. They knew these horses will be their future
favorite runners.
No outstanding choice here, the top 4 favorites were so close in the
betting, practically anybody's race. Even the jockey of Damaris -
Eduardo jr., believes the race is so evenly matched.
Dont attempt to ask the rider of longshot Ice Ice Baby - Oyet Alcasid
as he is still finding a way together with Ruben Clor and
Mr. Cunanan on how to pull this one out.
Lets go straight to the movements at the far turn.
   Boboc , coming from third position, makes that spurt to outrun
   the two runners in front of him, but could not grab the lead.
   Ice Ice Baby somewhere in seventh at this point.
   Neck-to-neck    as they swing for home,
   Princess Damaris takes a precarious half-length lead, with the
   two horses still very near him.   Ice Baby now in fourth.
   Down the stretch and   150 meters to go,
            P. Damaris  in between horses......
               and now raising the voice of the club announcer =
               ICE ICE BABY RUSHES UP ON THE FAR FAR OUTSIDE.
                    ITS PRINCESS DAMARIS BY HALF A LENGTH
                  ICE ICE BABY MAKING A BID ON THE OUTSIDE
                    AND FINALLY......

RACE CALLER STOPS DUE TO
  LATERAL DISTANCE of 2 HORSES.
   .....TOO TIGHT TO CALL.

                                  PRINCESS  DAMARIS
                                                hits the wire
                                              a neck ahead
                                             of the icy baby .

GK #

                           RING LEADER VS MONEY JEN
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1992

Ring Leader reminded me so much of  horse
KARANGALAN  handled by jockey Galang  in his  colorful past,
shiny black and beautiful  racehorse.

It was a windy  cool afternoon at the tracks that day as the
horn sounded for the parade of entries. Those who bought
their tickets early were lucky to witness the top choice
parade   before the judges stand to proceed to the post for
the starting   fire. Not really overwhelming top choice but
he was   taking a lion's share of the sales.
Most of the eyes and   binoculars were on
RING LEADER,    mine were not.
I was looking at this magnificent brown galloper
MONEY JEN , i dunno what   crossed my mind
that day to place a bet on this horse, maybe   gut feel.
  Besides, the rider is one of my favorites Johnny Saulog of course.
  Excellent pacing and control, just like  tatay Pepe.
Whether longshot or   hot favorite, i place a bet on him.
   Loyalty as they say.

Gates fly back.......woohhh, what a jumpstart. Ring Leader
showing commanding authority over the field, taking the
  lead by a length with the field not even  thru with the first
quarter of the   race.
Backstretch scene saw Money Jen sniping from the outside,
not really interested in taking the lead, only giving the
jockey of Ring Leader some nervous   shot in the arm.
  But the only trouble is - the jockey of Ring Leader released
some reigns (bumitaw ng konti), which   according to the
trainer,   is a tactical error.    Unknowingly or not,
Johnny watched in second position, waiting for the kill.
At the final turn for home, Money Jen   applies pressure on
the outside,  grabs the lead by half a length surprisingly so
early, entered the homestretch with so much confidence,
making that stretch drive like they were the top choice of
the race, unchallenged...............EXPERT HANDLING.......BEAUTIFUL RACE

BACKSTRETCH .....

                                                            MONEY JEN         RING LEADER

GK # 25

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       SOMETHING SPECIAL VS VIGOROUS LADY
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1980s
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Registering a dizzying 1:28 for the 1400 meter dist.,
which was the fastest during that time, Vigorous Lady
became an instant superhorse as far as the fans were
concerned.   One of those few "giants" of the tracks   is
proudly owned by the Chiongbian clan.
After posting that record, she had two more
victorious runs before this race against Something Special
who incidently also had impressive runs of his own.
  But selling of tickets during race day showed some fans
surprised and some not. Vigorous Lady comes out a
heavy first   favorite by a wide margin.
Clockings are oftentimes reliable basis for choosing a
winner but not at all times, and the trainer of S. Special
knows this as i felt he had something up his sleeve.
      Sa parada, sumenyas pa si NGO-NGO,
      lalo na ikako, may milagrong mangyayari dito.

  Backstretch, Vigorous Lady in elegant strides,
watching   in second position....
Something Special is in fourth.
  At the far turn, the Favis horse should change its name
to Some Surprise as it surprised the vigorous one at
the last bend, jumped like a rabbit to grab the lead
leaving the fans with 26 seconds of nervous tension.
At the top of the stretch, Something Special by a length,
Vigorous Lady pressing on the outside, the fans/watchers
expecting a munching stretch drive from the top favorite.
Last 150, Something Special in full throttle, ERnie used
the whip only twice. Bong used his whip about 5 times.
Last 50 meters, S.Special by only a neck.

    Once again, from those very very seldom occassions,
    awakening all the gods in the Tayuman area,
    who helped him carry his horse like Kent Desormeaux
     to beat the vigorous madame by   a head.

1981

They were both popular runners during   their time and by
popular we mean   always talked-about and wagered-on.
Both Sta. Ana-based horses, they posted moderately easy
wins in their past outings.    Lampara was easily the impact
horse due to its  seemingly effortless way of   dealing with
situation, sweeping past four or five entries  in front of
him at any point and at any moment the rider wishes to.
Affectionately was a sprinter, not yet  displaying full mettle
but showing good signs lately of being a promising horse.
It was a hot afternoon at the PRC that day but it did not deter
  the fans from trooping to the race venue.    Rather a sizeable
crowd as   the horn sounded for the parade of entries.
The fans not much keen on spotting a longshot for they
   trust the ability of Lampara to   snatch this race    using
only   half   its  strength.

At the far turn, third favorite Affectionately by a length
   being chased by two horses. Lampara    in fourth now
   trying to add   some heat to its muscles.
   Into the homestretch, Affectionately   by half a length   with
   jockey Pablito not surprised at all why Lampara suddenly
   appears  on   his periphery.
   Down the stretch and headed for home -
the fans  wondering why it is still neck-and-neck as they
expect the top favorite to move and pull away.
   Middle of the straightway, this is where the tension rises.
   Lampara could not  dispose of Affectionately.
   Tony Trinidad himself in disbelief.

ITS AFFECTIONATELY BY THE RAIL, LAMPARA ON THE OUTSIDE.
       ITS NOW LAMPARA  BY A HEAD, AFFECTIONATELY COMING
     BACK BY THE RAIL........AND FINALLY....AFFECTIONATELY

Veteran jockey Pablito shows   the younger guys
     that sometimes experience   can pull you thru.

SUFFERED COMPLETE DISLOCATION OF
FETLOCK JOINT NEAR FORELIMB
ORDERED DESTROYED

MANDY

--
SAPUL .........VS........ LICENCIADO
BADJAO                                            PATTEE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each decade never fails to produce healthy rivalry between
freshmen jockeys - apprentice as they call it.   But the
incredible thing is - that sometimes, these neophytes exude
extraordinary skill  as they ride their horses looking like
  expert PROs pushing 20 years in the business.
They were the toast of the season, the focus of the lensmen,
and the topic of sportswriters.     They gave the fans a show
which will be very hard to forget. Victory after victory,
they were the epitome of what racing mentors call
  ........"the blending   of talent and  showmanship."
    And to put  some  dash of spice on their tablets for
    history, they cemented what may be tagged as the
   closest battle ever seen, probably of all time,
    for JOCKEY OF THE YEAR honors, Philippine version, which many
    believed should have been a DRAW as it was much too
   tight.   The voting was very close  that when the committee
gave the   award to pr dilema, they left   the fans of
ms recosana mad so mad.  ANSAMA NGLOOB. Sour-graping and
hurling invectives at the culprits, there was nothing much
they could do. The decision  stays - only one winner.
Safe to say however, and sadly they realized after 10 years,
   they should have   given the award to the badjao kid.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         JUST CANT FORGET THE WORDS OF THE RACE CALLER THAT DAY.
       " DOWN THE STRETCH AND HEADED FOR HOME, ITS STILL SAPUL WITH
JOCKEY MIGUEL S. RECOSANA STILL IN DOUBLE WRAP.....
AND NEARING THE PAY-OFF-WIRE, ITS SAPUL BY THE RAIL....
              LICENCIADO RUSHING UP ON THE OUTSIDE, AND FINALLY LICENCIADO...."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             BUTI HINDI TINANGGAL ANG LICENSYA NUNG ANNOUNCER.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Sapul and his rider were victims of trial by publicity.
          This is the problem when you lose as outstanding favorite.
          95 percent of your backers will not believe any reason or alibi
         you may offer, no matter how logical your palusot may be.
          They alleged the entry   eased up down the  stretch,
               ignoring the fact that Licenciado can make
            25 - 27   for the last two quarters
              any time of day, any day of the week.

1978, 1979, 1980, 1981
These two horses were the reason why the gate receipts
     fared well, the reason why the betting sales were  always
     high, and  the reason why  horseracing interest was at peak
     level during their time.    Even the horseowners and the top
     breeders   wished they could   produce great runners  if not
     exactly like these two,   well  at least near their  caliber.
     Wonder B and the Hammer stole the limelight even from the
     Stakes runners of their time, bringing the house down each
    time they crossed the  finish line, drawing   cheers from the
     crowd whom they  put in wild frenzy, and even leaving
     some guys speechless / struck in awe.
     Being talked about in   hot discussions in almost every
    horseracing-crazed street coRner around the metropolis,
    what more can be said about these two horses.

   Wonder B always keeps  the fans wondering why it runs so majestic
    yet making it look so easy circling around the track smiling at the
    opposition everytime they finish the race.   Twice he was ridden by
    back-up rider Rene Sare, but to the surprise of Mr. Sabido, both
   races were  guided  to victory amazingly by Kadyo with the
    same  scintillating performance - the mark of a real great horse.
    There is really something about this runner that is hard to explain.
    Even till the day he was lined up to face Kiko's mount,   very few
    gave Jack Hammer a chance, although word spread like forest fire
    crediting Jack Hammer as one of the classiest stayers ever seen.
    And thus, the final report, Wonder B by a  wide margin in the sales.

Pagbukas ng aparato, ano pa ba ang aasahan mo,   siempre nasa
    unahan ang horse wonder. Clubhouse , 2 lengths, parang naglalaro lang.
    Pagdating sa last bend, hindi na kinailangan ni Jesus ng latigo.
    Matindi talaga ang kabayo , kusang lumalayo, parang isip-tao.
    Two and a half papasok sa homestretch, si Kiko nanggaling sa
    pang-anim, biglang revancha segundo na....parang ipu-ipo.
Bumitaw na si Bong, mahirap na heka, anlakas ng dating ng kalaban.
                     Ang kaso lang isandaan metro pa ang karera,
                     bigo   na ang mga lyamadista.
                   Pinukpok ang maRtilyo,
                     and finally JACK HAMMER.

CERTIFIED

AUTHENTICATED FEB 2007

   IN JUNE 18, 1997   DEPUTY KNIGHTS    SADDLED BY
    TRACKMASTER OYET ALCASID, PROVED   TO ALL -
    HE WAS THE MOST PROLIFIC AND EFFECTIVE
GIANT KILLER OF ALL TIME    BY   CLOCKING 1:44
FOR THE MILE    TO   BEAT  THESE TOP FOUR
FAVORITES... ALL  POWER-PACKED HORSES  LIKE HIM.
SHARP ZONE                fm raquel jr
        GOOD PROVISION          lb guce
        LIBERATED                      je c guce
        DEPTH CHARGE              jd camu

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHOPSTICK                   LOVE MACHINE

1980s
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Both horses in tip-top shape, the only difference is -
Chopstick was the outstanding favorite here.
Love Machine was such a good horse too putting the fans in a
quandary as they questioned the disparity in the sales.
They say Love Machine deserves being a close second favorite
in the betting . But what can they do ??    The sales reflect what
the majority wishes.      Or to put it in another way -
                                         Is Chopstick really that good ??
At the mid-backstretch, Love Machine out in front by 2 and a half,
Chopstick running in third, suddenly breaks his stick in a sudden
reversal of fortune, badly-injured leg......and stops on the side.
The jockey of Love Machine, unknowing of what took place
behind his back, makes that turn for home, expecting a rampage
  by the outstanding favorite any second from now,
wonders why he hears no hoof sounds approaching fast.
So he negotiates that stretch drive ...way, way out in front.
                                                                                                  SIX LENGTHS.

THE STORY NEVER ENDS

MIGUEL RECOSANA

= STREETS OF GOLD
= PICK ME TO FLY
= BOGART
= JAGUAR
= JESSIE JAMES
= SILKY SULLIVAN
= EASY RIDER
= FIERY TOUCH
= SPECTACULAR LADY
= REPLICA
= SAPUL
= FOREIGN EXCHANGE
= AMERICAN SONG
= OCEAN BREEZE
= STYLISH CELINE

=========

      PURITY OF INTENTION

NO POINT OF VIEW IS MORE SINCERE THAN THE
RACING FAN's POINT OF VIEW

SIMPLY BECAUSE HIS OPINION IS INSULATED
FROM THE JOCKEYS' REMARKS

ALIENATED FROM THE TRAINER's
VAGUE STATEMENTS

BORDERLINED FROM THE COLUMNISTS' BIAS
AND PREJUDICE.

AND CASTED FAR AWAY FROM THE
HORSEOWNERS' FAIRY TALE

THIS HUMBLE PIECE OF LITERATURE WAS
NEVER MEANT TO MALIGN IN ANY WAY
OR ANY NATURE THE CHARACTERS INVOLVED...

NEVER MEANT TO CREATE INTRIGUE OR FUSS
ABOUT THE PAST,..............................

NEVER MEANT TO SIDE ON THIS JOCKEY
OR THAT JOCKEY................................

AND NEITHER WAS THIS WRITTEN TO POINT AN
ACCUSING FINGER AT ANYONE...........

LET US CHERISH OUR HISTORY AND HERITAGE.

   WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST.

                                     The Author

PATRICIO DILEMA

= EINSTEIN
= WISE GUY
= BE QUIET
= SUMMER DREAMS
= MY PREPERIDO
= FLIRTING HERO
= MAGNUM
= FIRENZE ROSE
= DAMPI
= KITTY HAWK
= LICENCIADO
= SAN DIEGO FORCE
= BLACK I JHAY
= BYE BYE BABY
= HONOURABLE

------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Profile Race in June 2002

"Kenino ka dito ??", the most common of questions.   Akala mo
   pagkadalidaling pumili ng mananalo. Sa katunayan, kahit dalawa
   pa ang tayaan mo dito, posibleng masilat ka pa. Kaya  dun sa
   mga ayaw na magpagod sa kai-isip, kukunin lahat, ALL daw.
   Llamado si Be Quiet, segundo si Sparkling, tercero llamado si
   Family Task.   Napakagandang karera. Sa mga mababaw lang
   dumiskarte, iisipin lang nila kung sino lalampas kay Quiet
   o di kaya - kayanin ba nila ayre ni Be Quiet ??
   wala kasing   lucha.   Dun naman sa maraming nalalaman,
sino daw heka ang  aalalayan ni _ _ _ _ _ _ ??

Media milya, nasa unahan ang deboka, Be Quiet,
"patibayan lang ng dibdib itong karerang ito"
   bulung-bulungan sa loob.
   Nakatutok di kalayuan si Family Task, di gaanong minamasid
   ang nakabandera dahil pinapakiramdaman nya ang naka-tercero
   puestong Sparkling Sky na nasa likuran nya.
   Sigaw ng mga  nakataya kay Sparkling -
      "Bitawan mo na,   hindi   laban si _ _ _ _ _ _ "
Quarto puesto si Kiwi Rose katabi si High Roller.
   Far turn, natunugan ni Unoh, parang hindi makadikit si Dhunoy
   o kaya baka  walang balak dumikit, binira na nya.
   Kaya sa likuan, magkatabi silang humahabol kay Be Quiet.
   Hindi nila puedeng palayuin ng 3 kabayo si Quiet,
   tapos sila kapag   nagkaganun.
   Katulad din ng karera nina Honor Roll at Rocket Star =
   dalawa silang humahabol kay Hot Summer.
   Ngunit sa takbuhang ito, nagulat na naman ang nakararami.
   Pagtawid ng meta, si HIGH ROLLER   ang nauna.

BE QUIET	pr dilema
SPARKLING SKY	jb hernandez
FAMILY TASK	fm raquel jr
HIGH ROLLER	vr dilema
KIWI ROSE	rp gil

When a race becomes a toss-up between
two favored entries, basically it is either :
a.)   SPRINTER VS SPRINTER
b.)   SPRINTER VS STAYER
c.)   STAYER VS STAYER
d.)   SPRINTER VS VERSATILE HORSE
e.)   STAYER VS VERSATILE HORSE
f.)   VERSATILE HORSE VS
                          VERSATILE HORSE

= TATLER COVER
= REGAL MISCHIEF
= PRIMEMINISTRATOR
= ASTUCE
= MAIN STREET
= LATINO
= LAGUNA MISS
= I SMELL MONEY
= SUNNY CONTENDER
= SILVER STORY
= LEN's LUSTRE
= GOLDEN BALLET
= SPARKLIN SKY
= MAID OF KALIBO
= TELL A LIE

VAL RAMOS DILEMA JON. BASCO HERNANDEZ

= JOAQI
= MONEYLINE
= HIGH ROLLER
= WINTER's FURY
= ALWAYS REMEMBER
= TIME GENTLEMAN
= MICA's MAGIC
= LOOSE CANNON
= BRAZEN TRUTH
= SENSATIONAL
= FOUNTAIN OF GOLD
= BLACK IJHAY
= CUADRO DE ALAS
= DIVINE DIVA
= CLEAR NIGHT SKY

JEFF BACAYCAY

= PARROT MOE
= PRIDE OF CEBU
= HEADING WEST
= COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
= GOOD GRACE
= WELL NOTED
= MAGNANIMOUS
= SANRY FOREX
= VHINGGET
= GOLDEN TALE
= PRINCE OF AFRICA
= DADANSOY
= MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
= MASTER I JHAY

= LORNA...
is his GRAN COPA WINNER

GK# 21B

----------------------------------------------------------------------
MARBLE PRINCESS   vs WINDY WHELMING
               LIGUERAN                                       MASIGLAT

1970
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The infamous  HATAWAN ng LATIGO of all time.
Televised in Channel 13 during that time.

       Marble Princess establishes self as the
      only horse in history to be involved in
        two (2) separate controversies.

HOMESTRETCH
Longshot Marble Princess in front by a length.
Windy Whelming - the outstanding choice here is
running in second and pressing on the outside.

Last 150, Ligueran upon seeing the favorite about
to pass him, makes a bad bad move -
using his latigo, he hits Masiglat with a
crackling  whip to his chest. Masiglat hits back with a hard  whopping strike  to the back of Ligueran.
At this point, they're running  neck-and-neck.
Ligueran delivers 2 successive blows hitting the head and neck.
Masiglat snaps 3 hits to Ligueran's upper body.
In what was expected to be a thrilling race
suddenly veered out of control as the 2 jocks
whipped each other in full view of the fans at
the stadium and those at home
watching on television.
As the entries  crossed the
finish line, whipping stopped,
no talking, not even
trash talk because they
knew something
awaits them =
punishment.

RACING OFFICIALS' DECISION :
            Ligueran banned for life.
             Masiglat given stiff suspension.

Rogelio Valencia
Consistency, Reliability
Superior track sense

DOMINADOR BORBE jr.

= YSABELA
= GOLD EDITION
= HEREDERA
= TIME AND AGAIN
= EXPEDITER
= DO IT DAVID
= LYONNAIS
= FANCY TRIMMINGS
= STAUNCH ALLY
= RING OF HONOR
= YOKO LADY
= MR. LUCAS
= SACRED HALL
= TRUE TO LIFE
= BELLE D'AMOUR
= HERMs WAY

JAJA LADIANA

= KABOOM
= CAT's BELLS
= GOLDEN TALE
= BUSANDA STRIKE
= FORTUNE MAKER
= DINNER DRESS
= LUCKY JOE
= DRAGON STRIKE
= GOD IS GOOD
= SHAM SHAM
= COVENTINA
= TENACITY
= LAST HAZM
= GOLDEN EAGLE
= ABSOLUTE POWER
= BE READY

2007

2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
2018

2019
2020

            BLACK IJHAY
      vr dilema | ms recosana
     LEE J.S. / MAMUCOD R.R. | IWATA


Very memorable horse indeed.
The year remembered - 1996.
i was stationed at the NPC branch of the Phil.National Bank during
that time. My cousin Raymond was just a stone's throw away -at the
BIR building but on that evening, i went solo flight to the OTB located
at Kalayaan Ave. (parallel to East Avenue). By any measure
it is one of the best Off-Tracks i have ever seen due to its clean
surroundings, coziness, and great food. The place is a restaurant
actually but the owner decided to convert it to Eatery-OTB.   It is
fully-airconditioned and with Entrance Fee at the door to dissuade
gate-crashers. Such a nice place for relaxing and mind you - the
young and pretty waitresses will make you feel comfortable with
their kind of service but will also distract your concentration and
betting frame of mind if you dont get your eyes off them.
After Race 5, i was still hitless that night so i got kinda sleepy
just a bit. Decided to call it a day and by coincidence, the guy just
next to my table was also preparing to exit. He is the same guy
i was talking to since the second race and maybe as a token of
friendship - he gave the name of this horse BLACK IJHAY to me.
He said the tip was given to him by the kumpare of the trainer.
Then unknown, the entry was a clear longshot in Race 8.
So i made a quick decision -
  placed my bet on the horse, then left the place.
  As i reached the OTB in Marikina, it was 30 minutes before Race 8.

......"at the top of the stretch, its BLACK IJHAY by 2 lengths...."
Goodness gracious, is this for real ??   i whispered to myself.
Hulog langit ang nagbigay ng tip. HIndi kaya multo yung katabi ko ??

May karugtong ang istorya natin:
Three years later, i met Manny San Juan, my co-worker at the bank
who is also a racing fan (and also ex-horseowner).
About twice or three times a week,
we were at the races, not OTB, but the actual racetracks.
Until one day, in the flow of our conversation,  he mentioned
about his WTA bet wherein w/c he won six figures in the past.
So i asked him just one question concerning that WTA he won -
       "of the 7 winning horses, who do you remember most ??"
          Manny  answered   fast and quick =
                                         "BLACK IJHAY"

ORG., INC.

EXCLUSIVE KISS	nk calingasan	CABRERA A.	javier l.jr.
TAGALUPA	jd camu	PAMAN R. JR.	paman r. jr.
LUCBANROSE	pc basco	ABUEL F.	tantoco v.
TOUCHDOWN	gs clavio	DE JESUS A.	francisco j.jr
DESTINY	gl francisco	JAYME F.	lim j.s.
CREDENTIALS	as jacob

Fetlock -   Joint located between the cannon bone and
      the long pastern bone, also referred to as the ankle.
Sesamoids - Two small bones located above and at
                    the back of the fetlock joint.
Splint   - A bony growth on the tendon.
Stallion -   A male horse who is used for breeding.
Stayer -   A horse that usually runs in races
               longer than 12 furlongs.
Steadied - When a rider controls a horse to prevent it
                  from going faster.
Stewards -   Officials at racecourses who are in overall
                   charge of the conduct of the race meeting
                   as far as the rules go.
TURN of Foot - The ability of a racehorse to show
                    a burst of acceleration.
Tongue Tie -   Strip of fabric tied round a horse's tongue
                      to stop choking during a race.
                      Also known as a tongue strap.

Triple Crown in Britain
the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger
Triple Crown in USA

Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Preakness

A horse nails the Triple Crown if it wins all three races. There are also variations for fillies, and Triple Crowns in other countries.

BULLDOZER

VS

NEVADA SLEW

1994

One of those uncommon races where an inferior jockey is
given the task to ride an outstanding favorite, the other riders
will think they have an outside chance of pulling the rug
from under.
Bulldozer was given to a class D rider that day.
Nevada Slew was ridden by a then-apprentice, now one of
the top five jockeys of the land - fernando marcellano raquel.
Mid-backstretch , Bulldozer so intimidating at second spot,
even the front-running jockey a little wary hoping something
untoward will not happen, trying to relax his mind.
Far turn, what else do you expect, Bulldozer plowing the field
erecting a 2-length lead. Nevada, coming from seventh
improves to fourth at this point.

Homestretch,
Bulldozer making it look like a
formality, maintaining 2 lengths
over the field.

Last 150 meters, Bulldozer by
only a length, Nevada Slew in
one sweeping tsunami motion,
gobbles up the favorite to the
unbelieving eyes there at the stadium.

A platoon of fans
making a bee line
for the exit with
still 8 races to go
for that Saturday.

LAMPARA AFFECTIONATELY

WONDER "B" JACK HAMMER
JE C GUCE FR G FERNANDO

ROYAL FEAST FRENCH AFFAIR

GK 42

RENEGADE

VS

IRON BUTTERFLY

Dekada 90...isang hapon, sa Agricultores OTB, Sto.Nino,Marikina.
Pauwi na kami nuon, araw ng linggo, nasa off-track kami sa bayan
Punta sana kami sa Yale, kaso andaming adik sa cubao, wag na lang.
Kasama ko si Joey del Rosario, barkada ko mula pa college.
Pero bumulong siya - "tapusin na natin" heka, "dalawang karera nalang".
Sagot naman si ako "sige, tutal matagal ko na inaabangan itong RENEGADE
na ito, baka pumutok sa last race"....sabay hugot ng papel para maglista.
Mabuti na rin yung maaga tumataya, minsan tambakan sa teller box,
siksikan at gitgitan pa, akala mo pumipila sa bigas ng NFA.

Last Double yun...
Apat na kabayo kinuha ko sa Race14, Renegade lang sa Race 15.
Pumutok ang taya namin sa race 14, tercera lyamado, kaya namuro kami,
Nanlaki mga mata ni Joey....parang nagka-epilepsy, galaw ng galaw.
Pagparada nina Renegade, quarto lyamado siya....999 sa pairing.
Maganda pang di hamak na ikaliligaya ninuman. Manalo sana, sa loob-loob namin.
Si Joey, naka-anim na stik na yosi, hindi mapakali...
Lakad ng lakad sa harap ng OTB, parang sindikatong may hinihintay sa pier.
Kinse pesos (15) ang puro namin, 999 ang dibidendo.

Habang nakatingala sa TV, may napansin akong binatilyo na tumatakbo papalapit
sa amin. Tiyuhin pala nya ang katabi kong nasa kaliwa ko kung kaya narinig ko
ang bulong nya sa tiyo nya. "Tiyong" heka, "ilalaban si IRON BUTTERFLY".
Mabuti na lang at may 60 pa akong natitira sa bulsa, walang pag-aatubiling
naglista na ng forecast at ipinataya ko kay Joey.
Poste ang Iron Butterfly, apat sa huli kasama na si Renegade dun.
"bilisan mo dre, baka hindi umabot".
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
Papasok ng ultimo quarto,sinaranggola ni Julio Manalo si Renegade na parang
nakita mong magbitaw ng renda si jockey bebet maging si jockey pol.
Boses ng track announcer;

"Into the homestretch, Renegade by a length and a half."
Last 150 meters, its Renegade on the outside
and Iron Butterfly moving up by the rail."

Sigaw si Joey : "WALANG PAGKASILAT 'BIE."

WRITER

Episodic memory represents our memory of experiences and specific
   events in time in a serial form, from which we can reconstruct the actual
   events that took place at any given point in our lives.
                   It is the memory of autobiographical events
                  (times, places, associated emotions and other
                 contextual knowledge) that can be explicitly stated.
Individuals tend to see themselves as actors in these events, and the
emotional charge and the entire context surrounding an event is usually part
of the memory,   not just the bare facts of the event itself.

Semantic memory, on the other hand, is a more structured record of facts, meanings, concepts and knowledge about the external world that we have acquired. It refers to general factual knowledge, shared with others and independent of personal experience and of the spatial/temporal context in which it was acquired.
Semantic memories may once have had a personal context, but now stand alone as simple knowledge. It therefore includes such things as types of food, capital cities, social customs, functions
of objects, vocabulary, understanding of mathematics, etc.
Much of semantic memory is abstract and relational
and is associated with the meaning of verbal symbols

The night before that saturday, i made a careful study of the races as is
customary whenever i prepare for the weekend lineups. Most of the time,
its already raceday but still undecided on about 3 or 4 of the races in the
program. And to some extremes, its already parade time and still not decided
on who to get. My night review tells me its time to bet on longshot
CREDENTIALS, besides i am a fan of Estoy. As i was watching the parade
of entries, one of my comrades appeared. We were positioned near the finish
line then as he whispered to me "kunin mo si LUCBANROSE".
I answered "nakataya na ako - CREDENTIALS kinuha ko". "Palitan mo" aniya.
Hikako, "ayoko nga, eh kung lumabas". Pero pagkatalikod nya, tinapunan
ko pa rin lucban nya kahit paano.

At the clubhouse bend,
you can feel the heat this early.
EXCLUSIVE KISS is well placed in third, LUCBAN in sixth,
CREDENTIALS to his right seventh.
Rounding the far turn, heavyweights take charge. EXCLUSIVE grabs lead,
LUCBAN in third, CREDENTIALS on his tail fourth. At the last bend for home,
EXCLUSIVE KISS by a neck, LUCBANROSE rushes up to grab the lead,
and CREDENTIALS on the farther outside. At the top of the stretch Primo
opens up a length lead but Estoy's expert urging and handride sticks close
on the outside. Nearing the pay-off-wire, LUCBANROSE by half a length,
and CREDENTIALS is charging on the outside.
At the wire, it could have gone either way. The breaks of the race favoring
the rose from Lucban. A very lucky Primo Basco makes it by a neck.
===========================================

1990s. The importation of thoroughbred horses signalled the start of a new era in Phil.horseracing.   Whether the intrusion of these imports can prove
beneficial or not, only the crystal ball can tell.
The move spurred a truckload of varied reactions from the racing sector, particularly the horseowners, breeders, the racing officials and the more-conceRned racing fans.
A battery of questions ensued - "Why import these horses??",
"Where did they come from??",
"Who masterminded the trading??", "Are they going to join the Triple Crown??"
But as weeks progressed, the inquiries were answered and clarified
one after the other .

1967, 1968, 1969 ....
It actually already happened about half a century ago when a horse named
RED FANTASY was clandestinely shipped into the country
(binarko nang walang nakakaalam) and made to race in our local racetrack.
His first race forcibly had to be his last as the horse made a performance
that was mind-boggling to the lucky patrons who were there to witness history.

The horse blasted his opponents by 17 lengths...others believe it was 23.
Never again to be duplicated to this day.   Not even by superhorses
THUNDER VIC or TERRIBLY TRUE or your dear REAL TOP.
The closest a local-breed runner could get was the 14 lengths registered
in1976 by the Kiko Galang horse GOLDEN PHARAOH when they beat
speedsters UNION JACK and WILL O' D' WISP.
RED FANTASY bedazzled the crowd, shocked the fans and sent them to dreamland making them feel they were seeing a flying machine from outer space.   After that solitary race, REDFANTASY disappeared like a
burst bubble. Not to be seen again as foreign horses were BAWAL
during that time to run in our tracks.

Nevertheless his story left a microchip that cannot be deleted
in the minds of racing fans especially those who saw the race.
Maybe less than 30 are still alive to this day.
They are the chosen messengers responsible for relaying
the details of the legend to future generations....
and it cannot be denied that to a big number of racing fans,
it will always be the MOST fantastic race story ever heard.
=========================================

GEMINI STAR MEGALING

1998.....one saturday afternoon

it was the back of the racing program, 5 races to go and day is over.
Third choice Gemini Star was expected to give the top two favorites
a run for their money. His jockey pr dilema was on a roll and in a
lucky streak. Fifth choice Megaling was not yet in peak form but
showing good workouts lately under young rider fm raquel jr.
Hindi mataas na grupo, hindi mababa, nasa gitna lang.
Reaching the far turn, Pattee did not leave anything to chance,
swung into the lead, moving away by 2 lengths leaving the three
horses behind him struggling in desperation.
Into the homestretch, Gemini Star still by 2 lengths, looking well
ahead to score a seemingly easy victory. Visible were two
horses chasing him but just could not close in the gap.
Last 100 meters, still the same picture,
Last 50 meters, the 2 horses chasing were still there
but there was a third horse who suddenly appeared from nowhere.
Boosts around on the farther outside.....
Megaling hits the wire in a breath-taking photo finish
with Gemini Star !!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOURS TRULY HITS 2 TICKETS IN PICK-6.........P17,800.

Gates fly back....
audio is faulty, we could not hear the race call.
the OTB caretaker made some adjustments.
after a few seconds, we hear race caller but
horses are crashing the far turn now.

Mid-backstretch, ANGLE takes care of the lead.
Really Good watching in fifth position, taking sweet time.
At the last bend, time to make a move, that usual sight
at the tracks, the industry's much-adored jock coming
closer to the leader,
just a matter of time before grabbing the lead.
Final 200 meters, ANGLE by half a length,
Final 100 meters, ANGLE by a neck with
Really Good pressing on the outside.
And at the pay-off-wire, its ANGLE.

JUMPING JENNY
........VS........
DUSTY SUMMER

============

Sa karera, kinakailangan paminsan-minsan, pipili ka rin ng dehado
dahil hindi nawawala yung element of chamba. Kahit gaano kagaling
ang lyamado, apat din ang paa ng kalaban, alisto pa.

Naka-tatlong dikit na panalo si Jumping Jenny, puntong-punto ang
kabayo. Si Dusty Summer, isang panalo lang, 1.5 pa ang layo sa
tiempo ni Jumping Jenny. Mahirap talaga sugalan, wika nga.
Ngunit ang hindi nakita ng nakararami - ang hinete.
Longshot jockey po natin yan, si Mang Arturo - ac sordan.
But of course, during that time, hindi pa lutang sa gilas ng
mga karerista yang tinatawag na "pandehadong hinete".
In other words, kapag may papuputuking dehado, sila ang mga
go-to-guy or hatchet men ng mga horseowners.
Hindi rin naman natin masisi, sa dami ba naman ng tatakbo,
bibihira nuon ang hindi 14 kabayo kada largahan.
Supotan pa ng supotan, harangan, gitgitan, sasarhan pa ang
gustong sarhan. Si Kadyo nung araw, sinarhan na, pinitik pa
sa san lazaro, sakay nya si HONESTLY, kamuntik mahulog,
pinatapos muna yung karera, pagkatapos sa may puno ng acacia -
hinamon ng suntukan yung isa, buti inawat ng pulis.

Gates fly back.....nasa unahan - dalawang deboka na dehado.
Tercero pwesto si Dusty Summer, pang-apat si Jumping Jenny.
Papalapit sa far turn, naka-preno pa si Jumping, parang sobra sa
kumpiyansa...si Dusty Summer nagpakawala na, dehado sina
Turing at sinabi ng trainer - yan lang ang paraan para talunin
si J.Jenny. Alagwa ng isat kalahati si Dusty Summer.
Nakita ni Aguilar kayat bumitaw na ang lyamado.
Papasok ng homestretch, tinapat ni Arturo ang kabayo nya sa
dadaanan ni Jumping pero dahil sa mahusay talaga si Jumping Jenny
ay naidikit nya agad pero swerba ang inabot nya.....parang sa
ginawa ni ZIGZAG kay TUNAY na TUNAY...bumuka ng bumuka
papasok ng rekta, alisto lang si jockey jimmy bigla nyang pinasok
sa balya si TUNAY na TUNAY.
Ganun din ang ginawa ni Aguilar kay Jumping Jenny kaya lang
nawala na ang bwelo ng kabayo...nasira ang momentum.

DREAM GAME
.......VS
LORD JOSEPH

     KINGRICK  /ILOCOS KING / HONORABLE JOE

One of those rare 3-horse match-ups in the 70s.
Originally planned as a match race between lLocos King
and KingRick but race board thought it wiser to add
another entry to jack-up the sales, eventually their
decision proved right.
Quick at the gate itong si KingRick kaya alisto rin ang
hinete ni Ilocos King.
Race plan ng trainer ni Ilocos King - wag aniya palalayuin si KingRick dahil napakahirap habulin ng kabayong yan kapag nasa unahan, "okey boss", sagot naman ng hinete.
Eh pambihira naman ang ginawa sa aktuwal na karera.
Hindi nga pinalayo, dinikitan naman na parang PUTO BUMBONG.

Papasok pa lang ng media milya, nagbibo na ang sakay ni
Ilocos king, kaya dumikit ng bahagya, nagbibo din ang
hinete ni KingRick, natakot konti eh kung lumampas nga
naman eh de isang drum na seRmon   pag-uwi nya.
Pagkatapos, peRmis yung dalawa, pigil konti.
Nang malapit na sa Far TuRn, bibo ulit yung nasa labas,
nagbibo din siempre yung nasa balya, then pigil ulit pareho.
Yuong nasa likod natatawa sa pinag-gagawa nila.
Walang iba kundi si Tonyo, tatay ni Kiko at Totoy.
Basang-basa ang kinilos ng dalawang  nasa unahan,
Popular bukambibig - "nakapanuod ng boksing."
Isang napakalakas na hataw ang binitawan bago
sumapit ng Far TuRn, humarurot na parang si
Manolito MoRing ng Tour of Luzon.
Nag-exhibition pa... sumingit in-between horses.
Kurbada pa lang, tapos na karera.

And finally...Honorable Joe

One of those high profile races in the late 80s.
Full of story, excitement and anticipation.
Dream Game was at peak form, making a rampage of all
of his past 4 races  making him an instant star attraction,
watchable, and media-hyped  .
Lord Joseph, the underdog, was just as watchable, but
remained a distant second favorite .
Another expression flows -
no need to talk about segundo and tercero lyamado
when the top choice is mukhang sobra.

It is but every Horseowners' dream to own a great horse -
to possess one, two, or three it doesnt matter.
What matters is the feeling and joy of owning a superb
runner, and this is very hard to put into words.
Making it even merrier are those instances when
your horse steps up its performance with each race
- getting better even faster as he/she ages.
Some horses even exceed the expectations of the
connections - the stable, the trainer, the jockey.
Horses like Infinite Grace, Maxi, Trouble Master, Toddy,
Supreme Element, Queen of Town, Mightys World,
Rompe Candado, Escondida

and the unforgettable Spur Lady of jockey paquito.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Isa sa mga pinag-babasehan sa pagpili ng mananalong
kabayo ay ang tiempo, at itoy hindi na natin kailangan
ipaliwanag ng husto.
Bagamat may kanya-kanyang  diskarte pagdating sa
pagpili ng tatayaan, nakakatuwa pa ring isipin na iba-iba
ang mga estilo at paraan ng mga mananaya.
May mga tumitingin lang sa kulay at kundisyon ng kabayo
sa oras ng parada, alam na nila kung sino magwawagi.
May mga tumitingin sa umaga pagka-gising ng kabayo,
alam na nila ang tsansang manalo antemano.
May mga naniniwala na ang huling pruweba ng kabayo
sa dividendazo.....ay iyon na.
At yung iba naman, nakita lang 5 lengths ang nakaraang
pruweba, taya agad. Nakita nyo naman si ES TWENTY SIX
8 lengths pa yata, after one week, tinalo ni TREASURED ACK.
Kunsabagay, kanya-kanya lang naman yan mga igan.

Dito po kay INDIAN BEAUTY, naorasan siya ng 1:46 unkinto
sa Santa Ana, napakagandang kabayo pa, naging suki ng
mga karerista. Parang si QUEEN BEE kasi kung bumandera,
walang makadikit. Si BISCUIT D' GREAT naman, 1:48 sarado
sa San Lazaro. Nung araw kasi, mas matigas ang pista ng
Sta.Ana, kaya kapag ganito ang naging scenario, sobra ka
na talagang dehadista kapag kinuha mo si biskwit dito.
Pero may kasabihan tayo, matalino man ang matsing,
napag-lilinlang din. Naka-preno lang pala ang hinete natin,
si jockey henson ....mangilan-ilan lang ang nakatunog.
1:48 nga, pero tiempong  trangko pala sa kanya iyon.

Race caller :
" DOWN THE STRETCH AND HEADED FOR HOME, ITS STILL INDIAN BEAUTY
   BY 2 LENGTHS, AND BISCUIT D' GREAT IS ON THE OUTSIDE.
   NEARING THE PAY-OFF-WIRE, INDIAN BEAUTY BY A LENGTH AND A HALF,
   BISCUIT D'GREAT   MOVING UP NOW GRABBING THE LEAD."

Sabi   nung mga natalo kay INDIAN BEAUTY - "chambero !!"
sagot naman yung mga tumama kay biskwit -
"papano naging chamba eh hinika na yung hinete ni INDIAN
sa kakatulak ".

Lyamadong-lyamado si dream game sa karerang yun,
Kahit trainer ni Lord Joseph mismo ay nagsabing
"ikot mo lang" sa hinete nya.
Baka mapilayan pa tayo kakahabol.
Ang hindi nila inaasahan - si dream game pala
ang hahabol sa kanila. Batikan talaga itong si Ngo-Ngo
Siya ang nakapag-isip ng gagawing diskarte.
Pero si Boying ang tumama sa prediction -
aniya..."kapag kurbada na at dalawang kabayo ang layo
ni Lord Joseph, atin na karera."

GK 40

FLYER JOLLY PRINCE

The Dividendazo has undergone a lot of changes thru the years,
it has been the prayer book, novena and guide of the racing fan.
For many years, hindi nakikita  sa programa ang
pangalan ng mga horseowners...kahit  trainers .
Kaya malimit nuon ay tanungan ng tanungan ang mga karerista kung sino yung magaling na yun,
saan naka-kwadra  yang malakas rumemate na yan,
kaninong kabayo ba ito - kung bumandera ay poste ang layo. Parang si Balnabu at si Pompa...
clubhouse turn pa lang ay 4 Lengths na.
Twice as Lovely....5 lengths......Rhumba..3 lengths.
Such a delight to watch.
Pero may mga racing fans na hindi rin naman
masyadong interesado sa connections.
Tama rin naman, ang importante alamin mo ang
ugali ng kabayo, kaninong hinete sya nagre-respond,
saang pista ang gusto nya.
At hindi na yung kwadra ni ano yan, trainer nya
si ganun...pinapakain dyan bulalo at baka.
malilihis ka pa sa ginagawa mong yan.
Katulad nitong si Flyer, sabagay hindi pa naman
masyadong maugong si Mr. Santos nuon dahil
ang nasa dividendazo ay horse and jockey lang
makikita mo....at pruweba ng kabayo.
Kaya dun sa mga bilib na bilib sa kwadra lalo na
ang mga lyamadista, sorry na lang kayo.
Kaming mga dehadista, hapi-hapi kami nung
araw na yun.
Media milya, naka segundo pwesto si FLYER
parang "DOLLAR" talaga, yan ang tawag  nung
araw kapag sobrang angat sa laban ang yokaba.
Si Jolly Prince , nasa pang anim na pwesto
sinisigawan na ng trainer nya
"pakawalan mo na", parang bingi si Crisanto -
ang sakay nya, ayaw pa bumitaw.
Paglampas ng far turn, biglang binitawan ni
Crisanto ang renda....
"at the last bend for home, its Flyer by a length
and Jolly Prince on the outside."
Natural hindi nawawala ang mga kantyaw ng fans -
"hindi ka lalampas dyan."
"naka-preno ang bida."
Pagpasok ng rekta, humina ang boses ng mga
sumisigaw....nakadikit pa din si Jolly Prince....
dumidikdik sa labas .
Pagtawid ng meta, Talo si FLYER.

GK 36

SORSOGON BAY    VS COLOSSUS ROYALE

ACHILLES HEEL
The race once again portrayed Kiko Galang's mastery
over premiere jock Jesus..
" You cant beat 'em all." they always say.
As everyone knows,  there is no questioning the riding
talent  of top jock jesus, his pulse is rare, his pacemaking
is  genius. But in the arena of battle, there is always a
"kontra pelo", and this has been proven even in other
sports. Muhammad Ali had his, Pacman had his.
Tyson had his too, but he exposed his insanity
when he bit the ear of Evander Holyfield.
Even the mighty Crispa team had a kontra pelo - UTEX.
Kiko Galang had his too - Pepe Saulog.
He used all tricks in his bag but he just could not
beat the Supremo. e.g. ( Laughter VS Strambo) ,&
( Arc de Triomphe VS Heritage )
Bong  also  could not outhustle  Pepe Saulog
( Jocko VS Love Music )
Same goes  too  against Elias, Bong did not get past
him even  with brilliant horse KNOWS HOW -
    Elias was so formidable during his time that the other
jockeys   would never attempt to battle him
neck-and-neck at the Far Turn nor at the Final bend,
because they knew they could not outwit him.
So what did they do ??
  They waited patiently when Eleng reaches the
homestretch, that is when the other jockeys make
their move, and many have succeeded
with this strategy.

GK 38

     STAR MIKE   VS POLKABAL
===============================

If there is something that i miss in the hippodrome that
disappeared in thin air right there in Tayuman,
then it is the Wednesday evening races.
For many many years, races were held only on weekends (sat and sun). I remember fully well then when we racing
fans got so thrilled upon seeing the very first
wednesday dividendazo program, it was smaller in
appearance because it had fewer races -  only 10 races,
not 18, just 10, fewer yes but not lacking in excitement.
Some fans uttered... "sa wakas, nagkaruon din ng
                                    bakbakan sa miyerkules."
The cool night mist puts you in good racing mood -
as you sit there in the stadium with no care in the world.
You bet on a longshot and if it wins, you just dont want
that night to end. We remember too when jockey cris
alpasa steered TITLE ROLE to victory, it was a wednesday.
Pompyang sa double yun Cris-Cris.
Jockey Juan Jr. too scored a stunning victory atop darkhorse FAMAS HOPE on a wednesday ,
the same night we won on
MIDDLE GROUND (ridden by joseph guce) but it was
POWERLESS (jockey arcega) the longshot who made
the dividend juicier.

GK 44

One of the most unforgettable tales of all time.
Can be ranked among the Top 5 stories of the century.
Its not a stakes race. It was only a regular weekend
race but with what the jockey of Amihan did
here will bewilder you.
It was not uncovered however who
was behind this fracas. Maybe the trainer, maybe the
horseowner, or maybe the rider and his comrades
were NAMUMURO in the Daily Double dehado pa and
this activated their salivary glands. They anticipate
collecting a huge amount of dividend at the pay
windows that they could not afford to lose the race.
Another possibility - maybe they talked to the rider of
Kalipayan to make perder but got TuRned down.
Wag na tayo magbanggit ng pangalan, magtanong
na lang kayo sa mga tiyuhin at lolo ninyo na
may alam sa incidente.

Rounding the far turn, Amihan grabs lead from nakabandera.
Kalipayan, coming from fifth position, starts to make a rush.
Amihan enters homestretch with a lead of 2 lengths,
Kalipayan is fast approaching.
The jock of Amihan, upon seeing Kalipayan about to overtake them,
suddenly blocks the path of Kalipayan intentionally.
The rider of Kalipayan knows his horse has still some to spare,
so they make a veer to the left...
Amihan's jockey takes a look at his back again.
Blocks the path again....for a second time.
With 100 metres to go, the rider of Kalipayan knows there is still
enough time to win the race....
so he shifts to his right side...for his final dash to the wire.
Amihan blocks again.....for a third time..
At this point, there is no chance Kalipayan can score a win.
Amihan toes the line and a mild pandemonium flares up
at the stands. Some of the fans were knocking at the doors
of the judges and race stewards. They demanded that
Kalipayan be declared winner. But what the race officials did
that day was even worse than what the jockey of Amihan did.
They declared Amihan WINNER of the race !!!

Dodging the protests and complaints of the fans
and getting away with impunity.

"MILKSHAKING"
- the illegal practice of giving a horse
a blend of bicarbonate of soda,
sugar, and electrolytes.
The mixture is designed to reduce
fatigue and enhance performance.
In America, the penalty ranges from
a minimum 90-day suspension and
$5,000. fine to a maximum 180-day
suspension and fine of $15,000.

TIYAGA.
Kailangan yan kapag ikay nasa karerahan.
Lalong-lalo na sa mga mananaya. at mas
may bentahe kung ikay may "Timing" pa.
Tercero lyamado si Star Mike 15 minuto bago
sila magparada. Dikit-dikit ang bentahan
nang gabing yun. Halos mag-palit-palit ang apat na lyamado sa rankings, at gayun din sa mga dehado. Ang 5th, 6th, at 7th ay dikit dikit din sa bentahan. Nasa pang-anim si Polkabal dito. Pumarada na ay sixth choice pa rin si Polkabal.
Heto na :
ani race caller: "Last call for your bets."
"Five horses still outside the starting gate."
Akoy napalingon sa TV monitor at laking gulat
nang makita kong Tercero lyamado na si
Polkabal... Agad kong sinabihan ang mga
kasama ngunit silay nasa taas na ng stadium
at wala nang balak mag dagdag Taya.
RACE CALLER: Into the homestretch
three horses fighting it out for the lead,
STAR MIKE moving up by the rail.
Its now STAR MIKE by half a length
and POLKABAL rushing up on the
farther outside.

BOT

GK43

The beauty of a race is not seen on the dividends or cash
payouts, or who crossed the wire first with rotating latigo,
or who won by a wide margin, or who had the best riding style.
Much less who stood on top of his horse with the best FoRm,
or who had the most effective borlas,
or the most eye-catching gwantes.

The beauty of a race is seen on how the race was ran.
The application of brakes, the pacing, the positioning,
and of course the perfectly-timed release of reigns.
Horseracing is a battle of nerves...
You are third favorite, your eyes should not be fixed only on the
top 2 favorites, you must also watch out for the 4th favorite,
because that is the entry who is watching you.
When Salada (espejo) and Politique (sordan) entered the
homestretch more than 30 years ago, they were not the only
two horses running as they negotiated the stretch drive.
There were six of them, yes sir thats right....."6 horses fighting
it out for the lead" the track announcer shouts. .."down the
stretch and headed for home, its now Politique by a length,
and Salada moving up by the rail...and finally Salada."

Slowly shaping up into becoming an impact horse, Dona Nena
paraded with so much poise and grace, ridden by Noel Camu,
they looked unbeatable. Puting Puti had Monching Guce on
the stirrups. They were far second pick. Some over-confident
fans predicted "Forecast na lang paglalabanan dyan." =
this is definitely not in the mind of Puting Puti's trainer.
Rounding the far turn, Puting Puti by a length and a half,
Dona Nena running in third, starts to inch closer. At the last
bend for home, Puting Puti by only a length, and Dona Nena
is pressing on the outside.
YOURS TRULY IS A RACING FAN SINCE 1971.
I HAVE SEEN ALL TYPES OF PAIKOT LATIGO ALL MY LIFE
BUT FOR ME, THIS ONE DONE BY MONCHING IS THE BEST. .

DEPUTY (1995-2001)
the giant killer
different from the rest

Only the racing fans who witnessed this horse run during his time can testify how wonderful this property of Mr. Llaneza is.
An impact horse reminding us so much of Newsboy and
Spunky in olden days, this Deputy scored his wins with a
relaxed ballerina tempo at the start of the race but running
like a jaguar when let loose. Laging punong-puno at hindi
pinahihirapan ang hinete niya. . . . . . a darling of a horse.

One Wednesday evening at the MJC, Deputy K. was scheduled to be
ridden by jockey jm saulog.

ANATOMY of a CONSPIRACY
On that fateful evening, longshots smashed the Winner-Take -All event
bringing down the Total Live Units to 8, with one more race to go.
Very tempting figures - 8. Why ???
Because these are the numbers which collaborators like so much.
And horseowners are not exempted from this.
We dont need to hide this foul deed anymore, it has been out there in the open
for so many times in the past with different whistle blowers telling their own tales.
But in this story, Mr. "Collaborator" just went too far.
Relying on his past successes with other jockeys who obviously fear him
so much that they obey him without even thinking, Mr. Collaborator thought he
can do the same with Johnny Saulog.
He ordered his henchmen to talk Johnny into taking a dive on that WTA seventh race.
Offering of course financial reward too juicy to resist.

Deal or no deal ???
Johnny was sure - NO DEAL.
Armed with a noble purpose all his life,
the jockey only wanted to make the final seventh point,
to make the Winner Take All winners happy .

He won that race with Deputy Knights but on his way home that night,
he faced the worst scare of his life ---- DEATH THREAT.
he had to use the backstretch exit gate whereby some believed he even jumped
over the fence to stay away from haRm's way

=============================================
==== (some portions need to be deleted) =======

===============================================

Whether this story is verified true or not - doesnt matter.
The point is - the message conveyed by the jockey.
John Ralph Marfori Saulog made his father very proud of him
and his great grandfathers up there must be smiling down upon him
for sure. Johnny will live in the hearts of all his loyal followers
and will be best remembered not only as the jockey of
Much Obliged, Top Secret, and Radio Airwaves, etc
but also as the torch-bearer of honesty and integrity - - -
the epitome of good example to the youth of today.
==

SABIDO FERRER

Santos Augusto Reyes, Ma.Consuelo

REALLY GOOD....VS....ANGLE
-

Many times in the past it has occured.
But not that often in modeRn days it seems.
It all depends on how sharp the betting fan can be.
We are talking here about some not-so- common incidents
at the tracks . Example, a stable assigning a
longshot jockey to a blooming horse.

( isang pandehadong hinete ang ipasasakay sa isang
kabayong hindi pa bistado sa husay at bilis.)
Done for obvious reasons of course = to win bigger dividends.

Our history reminds us of some unforgettable riders who
were simply so TRICKY when doing this.
Jockey Verano, jockey Geni, Espejo, ERnie, Roger,
jockey Falcon, Vener, Celso, Catajan, Pol, Bibot
and years later, jockeys ra galfo, rb yambao, ar lantin,
al lumagui, m ducay, rh silva, to basco, lm salvador, etc.

Popular horse ANGLE stayed as third choice all the way
in the sales, and stayed as third favorite probably due to the
racing fans' notion that top choice REALLY GOOD was given
to a star jockey that day, or rather premiere jock.
Mahirap kontrahin wika nga, o di kaya hindi puede kontrahin.
Sino ba naman ang lalagay kay ANGLE, abenir ang sakay.
Sabi pa ng iba, ano ba yan - hinete o kutsero ??
Wait till they see the results of the race,
afterwhich all their impressions will change.

Marunong nang manuod ang mga karerista.
They knew Really Good gave his all.
Time for a rematch, but this time kambio hinete.
After one week, rare gem ec domingo jr. accepts
riding task on Really Good. Naka-ngiti lang si JeC,
alam na kasi niya ang mangyayari.

Result : ANGLE wins again
by 2 lengths and a half this time

---one of the best stables ------------- MR. J. FERNANDEZ............

BOLD PRINCE, DASH, TEKTITE, RAYO, SALADA, GUNMETTLE

DAQUIS ............................SAMODIO

SOLIS..............................PABLITO

AGUILAR

SORDAN

PABLITO ....... CRISENCIO............ FERNANDO

RABORAR ......... HENSON