PCSO Freedom Cup

Source: Manila Standard Today

This just in-the lineup of nominees for the 2012 Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Freedom Cup!

Slated for Feb. 25 at Santa Ana Park, the mile race attracted an elite crowd coming from the upper echelons of the sport. The race is open to all except imports (that means it is open as to sex and age).

The 10 thoroughbreds registered to compete are:

Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos's Barkley, 4YO bay colt, trained by Ruben Tupas;

Dominic Francisco's Wind Turbulence, 6YO bay colt, trained by Romelito Crisolo, Jr.;

Jade Bros. Farm's Money Queen, 5YO chestnut mare, trained by Clarito Alvarez;

Francis G. Lim's Yes Pogi, 5YO gray horse, trained by Felix Lauron.

Herminio S. Esguerra's Go Army, 6YO chestnut horse, trained by the owner;

Nathaniel G. Velasco's The Rock 4YO chestnut colt. trained by Nelson Lorica;

Rita G. Pilapil's Heaven Sent, 6YO gray mare, and Joshua's Laughter, 7YO chestnut horse, trained by Manuel Vicente;

Ralph Javier's Arvin Dugo, 4YO chestnut colt trained by Renato Yamco; and

Sixto Esquivias IV's Cheese Mosa, 4YO dark bay filly, trained by Renato Yamco.

This is as stellar a cast as can be imagined for a prestigious race such as the PCSO Freedom Cup. Sports fans will have an exciting time handicapping the race this early, although it will be best to wait until after the declaration on Jan. 27 and the announcement of jockeys.

At the moment, I like Barkley here. The son of American Stallion Baseball Champion by Australian mare treeline (by Timber Country) edged out Arvin Dugo in last December's 2,000-meter Philippine Racing Commission Grand Derby at Santa Ana Park.

Yes Pogi and The Rock were third and fourth, respectively, in the PCSO 39th Presidential Gold Cup also last December at San Lazaro Leisure Park, Go Army, Heaven Sent and Wind Turbulence placed second, third and fourth in the Philracom Grand Sprint Championship at SLLP the day befor the PCSO Gold Cup.

The PCSO Freedom Cup commemorates the People Power revolution of 1986.

The PCSO also stages another annual race, the Silver Cup, traditionally held sometime during the first half of the year.

Racing fans and participants are also awaiting the release of the schedule of the PCSO maiden races for the year. the events ususally feature 2YO and 3YO horse and are in support of local thoroughtbred breeding, which creates agricultural development through the establishment of ranches and the employment of farm hands ang other workers.