RACING fans are in for a treat this Sunday as some of the top gallopers in the land slug it out for the P2M Philracom Chairman’s Cup at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas with a distance of 1800m.

Spearheaded by rivals Super Swerte, recently crowned Commissioners’ Cup champ, and 2020 Presidential Gold Cup winner Pangalusian Island, this promises to be one of the most anticipated events of the year.

Joining the fray are two-time Sampaguita Stakes winner Princess Eowyn, recent Road to the Chairman’s Cup winner Sky Shot, Heneral Kalentong, the ever-dangerous Boss Emong who claims home court advantage and a slew of other contenders.

“Malaki panalo ng kabayo ko na si Boss Emong, si Super Swerte naka-kondisyon at sya yung mahigpit ng kalaban” said horseowner Edong Diokno.

“Pangalusian Island is always ready for the challenge as proven in the last Commissioner’s Cup. The only things different will be the pace of the race and the distance,’’ said horseowner Wilbert Tan.

Super Swerte (Art Moderne out of Faster Tapper), who avenged his runner-up finish to Pangalusian Island during their last encounter for the Commissioners’ Cup plum, will be out to prove that he could win at the Malvar, Batangas racetrack too as this is his first outing there.

Super Swerte will test its luck against Boss Emong and the other contenders in the Chairman’s Cup organized in honor of the late Philracom Chairman Andrew Sanchez and for the benefit of disabled trainers and jockeys in the horse-racing industry.

“Nakahanda naman si Heneral Kalentong for this one. He’s been performing well sa mga ensayo and we can only hope for the best. Medyo mabigat pa ang laban but we’ll still do our best,’’ said MMDA chairman and horseowner/breeder Benhur Abalos.

Pangalusian Island on the other hand will be treading on home turf as the bay horse by Chancellor out of Dimples is housed at Metroturf.

“Medyo humaba ang distansya kaya mukhang mas maganda ang chances namin dito. Of course, walang duda na si Super Swerte ang magiging main rival ng lahat ng kasali kahit na hindi pa siya tumatakbo sa Metroturf,’’ added Tan.

Expected to put pressure on the front-runner would be Princess Eowyn (Keep Laughing out of Doña Carmela) and Sky Shot (Lamborghini by Juggling Act) who have become forces to reckon with when they dictate the pace of the race.

“Siyempre yung mga veterans na sa malalaking mga laban tulad ni Super Swerte, Pangalusian Island at si Boss Emong. Sa tingin ko sila pa rin ang magiging main contenders jan,’’ said AbalOS.

Pero wag din tayo magugulat na may ibang manalo sa karerang yan. Yung si Sky Shot ran a very impressive race recently going wire to wire and beating Princess Eowyn. Kaya for me, it’s still a wide open race,’’ added Abalos.

Joining Pangalusian Island in biding their time “would be Boss Emong, Shanghai Grey, Spandau Ballet and the rest of the field.

“Pero wag natin i-discount yung ibang kasali tulad nina Boss Emong, Princess Eowyn, Sky Shot and the rest. Equally prepared din yang mga iyan. Expect a very good race this Sunday and as always continue supporting yung racing industry natin,’’ said Tan.

Aside from the top prize of P1.2M, at stake are 40 rating points towards this year’s PGC for the winner.

The second placer will receive P400k and 30 rating points, third gets P200k and 20 rating points and fourth shall receive P100k and 10 rating points. Fifth and sixth placers shall get P60k and P40k, respectively.

The Chairman’s Cup will be followed by the country’s Triple Crown version in July, August and September, the Classic Cup, Juvenile Cup in October and Silver Cup in November. The prestigious Presidential Gold Cup is scheduled Dec. 12 and the Grand Derby on Dec. 26.

“Patuloy po natin tangkilikin ang horseracing sa bansa. Talagang ibang-iba po ang excitement dito sa ating sport,’’ said Abalos.