thoroughbreds and kois

The now controversial 2nd issue of HORSEMAN'S DIGEST is out and the industry is agog as to where they could get a copy. Here are some of the pictures of the said mag.

I went to the stables Sunday morning and took pictures of all my racehorses. (I DONT DANCE) (MISS VICTORY) (MISS BOBON) (FIVE O'CLOCK) (PRIZE GUY) They are all looking great except for LIRAO and JABEZ.

Here are some of the pictures of Gail while inside our library. The room has wind flowing naturally and the view of the mountans of Montalban and Marikina plains are really enchanting. It can go on forever..

It is breathtaking and marvelous that one sees the early morning at the Santa Ana racetrack. Cold breeze and hundreds of horses working in their individual ways and training for their next race. Cap that with hot morning coffee and pandesal with cheese palaman.. It is indeed heaven for us racehorse enthusiasts.

Our 22-month yearling colt,PRIZE GUY is coming out perfectly from his two month early training at the Santa Ana Park stables. This full brother of MISS VICTORY and half brother to champion MR VICTORY has grown very well and has adopted to his running routines like cantering, galloping and starting gate education. Even at his early age, he has shown some habits that needs to be corrected. He will be sent back to the farm next Sunday, after which the daughter filly of BULL MARKET-CHARDONNAY will be sent to the racetrack for her education.

LIRAO (Lujain) sizzled at the far turn in trouncing ODYSSEY BLUE, MONA LISA and RD SPECTRUM in a 1500 m race at the San Lazaro Carmona Leisure Park. Ridden for the first time by 2006 jockey of the year JB Hernandez, LIRAO was 5th at the mid-backstretch when she zoomed to the lead and won pulling away at the stretch. She was timed 1:36 for that effort This is her third win in her career and first as a three year old since she is a Southern hemisphere racehorse. I bought LIRAO and PRIDE AND JOY in the Magic Millions October 2005 yearling sale in 'Gold Coast, Australia. Both have collected six wins and many runner-up places, thus earning their keep and helping our stable.

Our 11-year old gelding EXPEDITER won convincingly last night as the second longest odds at the Santa ana Park racetrack. He was clocked a respectable 17-25’-25-29=1:37 for the 1450 meter distance, trouncing BEAT D HEAT, KATE ALEX, MISCHIEVOUS amd YANKEE CLIPPER. As usual, our lolo was the last to leave the starting gate but managed to hug the rail and save ground. At the far turn, he was sandwiched by a bunch of racehorses until Jockey ES de Jesus moved outside and ws third at the top of the stretch. The leader, KATE ALEX was tiring and EXPEDITER grabbed the lead about 10 meters to the finish line staving off a strong charge from second placer BEAT THE HEAT, also a long shot. Look at the dividends... RACE 8 C4-D6AB 2 EXPIDITER (W=1,309.00/P=109.00) 5 BEAT D’ HEAT (P=25.00) 1 PLAY IT AGAIN (P=42.00) FC 2-5 7,507.50 TRI 2-5-1 113,700.40 QRT 2-5-1-8 C/O P79,287.34 S-6 2-5-1-8-11-7 C/O P184,650.20 DD 7-2 2,545.50 DD+1 4-7-2 691.60 XD 4-2 605.50 P-6 1-7-7-4-7-2 6,534.60 P-5 7-7-4-7-2 6,342.60 P-4 7-4-7-2 4,645.40 This was I think the fifth win by our Lolo under our wings after nearly being sent to the slaughterhouse last year because of his previous ailment. This also proves our adage, the the older we become, the better we were.. He still have two years of career before finallyretiring in January 2009. Keep it up Lolo and show them your best..Though you're old,you are not the half brother of champion JUGGERNAUT for nothing. Good luck to us..

(2006 picure) (latest photo) MISS VICTORY continues her improving form with a workout of 26 24 28= 1:18 for the 1200 meters distance.She's being targetted to a stakes race next month by trainer C C Alvarez. Two weeks ago, she was given a half mile workout of 26 25'=51'. I've asked Boy Tanagon to change the feeding regimen of MISS VICTORY to adapt to her present work load. She will switch to HYGAIN feeds, which was also used by her champion half brother MR. VICTORY. The trainers plan was to run her in a barrier trial next next Tuesday and then run her in a maiden b race on that coming Sunday. Let's hope everything turns out well for our champion filly. Ciao

I DONT' DANCE (Hazm) is back to her old form. She passed her barriers with a very good time of 55 for the 900 meters while being ridden by Jockey Kenneth Bergancia. She will run in class 4-4a after completing her 6 months vacation on January 27. SIMPLY STRONG (Strong Material) will be three groups down after a nine month vacation. She will run in class 4-4b and will begin earning her keep. She will rin next month when the races return to Santa Ana Park. These two racemares are very good looking and definitely both will be productive broodmares in the future.

(MISS VICTORY) (TUKMO) (JABEZ) Again I was at the racetrack this Sunday and again enjoyed the stream of racehorses doing their morning workouts. Here are some of their pictures.

Well, after nearly a month of a holiday stay in the country, Luci's family went back to Australia on Monday afternoon. It was difficult parting with the kids Darren and most especially darling Kathryn, who was just starting to speak correct Tagalog. When I ask her what was the answer to Kris Aquino's Deal or No Deal, she would jump and shout "Buksan na yan". We went to the airport in two cars together with Mama, Gail, Bong and Agnes..There was a bit of problem though because Peter, because of maybe tiredness, collapsed while seated in the Expedition. Everybody thought it was a heart attack because he cant breathe but after a while he said he's okay despite being a bit dizzy. We surmised that this was due to his non-stop drinking and lack of food and sleep. However, he was walking when we reached the airport entrance. Luci and the children were worried but I know a drinking man's attack when it happens...But yes, they were alright and was helped by my sister Deling while they were inside the terminal. We breathed a sigh of relief when Luci called up ad said that they were already inside the plane and going home.... Thanks, Luci Peter and to the wonderful children Darren and the beautiful Kathryn. Ciao.

This is the second time that I went to the racetrack at exactly 430 am and really it is a wonderful experience. Aside from the smooth transport early morning, the company of racehorses in the morning chill really makes a horseman like me feel exhilarating. Coffee was very good and the pandesal with cheese, while conversing with the track trainers and also the grooms who are all very busy preparing and working on their horses. If one observes keenly, like people, there are no two horses alike. They are really individuals with their own temperament and action... Maybe next time, I can walk around the track oval for my own exercise...

We will have to put MR VICTORY (Mr. Sutter) for a six months rest after that thrilling win a few days ago. Boy Tanagon saw a certain problem in his left front knee that needs checking by the veterinarian. It was x-rayed and Dr. Modomo there is a certain growth that needs to be attended immediately. The horse was walking easily and no pain was noticeable until one flexes his left knee. Normally, this situation allows MR. VICTORY to continue his campaign but we decided that it would be dangerous for the horse. We would give him six months to correct his problem, go to the farm and return only in July, in time for the big classic races around the last quarter of the year. Thank you MR VICTORY for a rousing start this year for the stable.

Pride and Joy (Frisco View) , ridden by Jockey Reagan Mamucod won by almost two lengths over Dont tell Ella in a 1500 meter race at the Sta. Ana Park. Her stablemate Lirao was only fourth after Cebuana spell came back to land third. Our 3 year old filly was timed a respectable 18 24 25 27'- 1:35.6.. Both our horses were the first favorites in that race and they certainly did not disappoint their backers. This is Pride and Joy's 3rd win and the stable's second win this week. Lirao (Lujain) was struggling with her jockey JG Serrano and lacked the necessary timing and strategy to run well in that race. Again, two wins this week. Thank you Lord..

Our champion 4 yr old colt just got the 8th win of his career tonight at the Santa Ana Park, Makati, Philippines. This is our first stable win this new year 2007 and he won it pulling away against LUCKY JOE, HAKUNA MATATA and VITALITY in a six horse class division race. He was timed 19 24 23' 27'=1:34.0 for the 1500 meter distance. He jumped well from the gate was positioned fourth at the clubhouse turn while Lucky Joe was ahead by 4 lengths at the lead. Jockey Taming Tanagon moved him into second place at the backstretch and then took over the lead with double wrap nearing the final turn. He was 5 lengths and going away into the homestretch so the jockey eased the horse at the finish line.

The Philracom has released its yearend report on the top earning racehorses, owners, trainers and jockeys for the past year 2006. Our champion , MR VICTORY was seventh in the ranking. 1 REAL SPICY 6,579,264.37 2 INGAY INGAY 3,776,470.61 3 DON EXEQUIEL 3,493,477.01 4 SPECIAL EDITION 2,933,172.55 5 EVER MINE NOW 2,919,868.69 6 FAIRY QUEEN 2,837,604.25 7 MR. VICTORY 2,587,698.70 8 LUCKY JOE 2,582,445.88 From 17 starts, he won seven times earning a total of P2.58 for the entire year 2006. We also landed as the top 20th horseowne finishing with a total of more than P7.5million pesos and 24 wins from 196 starts . 20 MADERAZO JJ 7,516,161.49 21 GONZALEZ EE 7,254,244.24 22 ROBES CA JR 7,240,943.20 23 LEE DC 7,163,568.22 24 ALMEDA LC JR 7,037,385.97 25 RED N' STABLE 6,782,237.78 It was a great year for us with 4 stakes wins, including the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown, the HORSEMAN'S CUP. Salamat po Lord...

I don't know how to feel when I read Doc Antonio Alcasid's remark in the new HORSEMAN'S DIGEST magazine that MR VICTORY's win in the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown ,was the sign he was waiting if he would permanently reside in the US. Now, everything comes back when I met him just few minutes after that stirring MR VICTORY win. As I approached the winners stand for the awarding ceremonies, I saw him on the left and I rushed to him to congratulate. But what I saw was a somber and teary eyed Doc. And the first words he told me was.... "Jake., salamat sa lahat... tutuloy na ako sa America....iiwanan ko na si MR VICTORY". The straightforward statement didn't move me except that I felt uneasy about this seemingly sad farewell amid our jubilation... So , that was it... While preparing my horse to the Triple Crown races, Doc was grappling with the monumental decision of accepting his children's' proposal that he should now retire in the US and enjoy life while he and her wife Gloria are still strong...A loving advice from his children, now a doctor and a nurse, he both nurtured with his so called "pawis ng kabayo". And he was waiting for that sign. A win by MR. VICTORY in the triple crown... Now it gets me real straight to the heart. Here I was , newly retired from my long years of a colorful and thankful broadcast career, seeking the dream of becoming the first mediaman to win the Triple Crown. I was also in a quandary on how I could make a champion out of a horse that comes only once in a lifetime for every owner.While we lost the jockey in the 1st leg, Doc was thinking about his children abroad and his life here. I was thinking of how unlucky I have been. When our jockey pulled up our spent horse in the second leg, Doc was already fixed on staying here, maybe.. But when the third leg win came, it was both our triumph. Doc believes his MR VICTORY win was a statement that will resonate for a long time. What a fitting career ending. A retiring champion trainer relocating permanently and winning his last stakes race with the longest odds horse. One that came first from last position with the track announcer saying he just had enough for the afternoon at the mid-backstretch. For me, it was a dream come true. A fitting reward for a hardworking team...An unexpected moolah from the Lord above given to us who deserve. Thank you Lord for all these blessings. Way to go, Doc... I know you will read this piece... but truly, me and my family thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for bringing to our family the real life experience of championship racing... Salamat po..

After the airport send-off our two little tykes,, Kodi and Kathryn were having a grand time at the Power Plant "kids station" where we bought some toys for them. We also had picture taking and I'd like to show you some of them..