There will be 11 exciting local and imported 3-year-olds entered in one of the biggest events for all the exciting colts and fillies in the country today vying for the total prize of R1.58-million at stake.

This year’s champion will receive the top prize of R900,000 while the runner-up picks up R337,500, third placer R187,500, and fourth placer R75,000. The other finishers of this 2,000-meter race from fifth to 12th will receive R12,500 each.

The official line-up of horses in this premiere stakes are: Don Antonio Floirendo’s Traditional with Fernando Raquel Jr. on board; Joseph Dyhengco’s Ididitmyway MA Alvarez; Jose Mari Franco’s Copper Dew Val Dilema; Bayani Coching’s Mercurio John Ralph Saulog; Hermie Esguerra’s Defiant Jeff Zarate: Atty. Alex Carandang’s Beautiful Pet Deo Fernandez; Joe and Aida Arceo’s Deputy Stravinsky Louie Balboa; Boni Mantilla’s No Fear JB Hernandez; Honorato Neri’s My Happiness John Cordero; Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos’ Joletski Kelvin Abobo; and Ruben Laureano’s Irene’s Fantasy Antonio Alcasid Jr.

"This year’s edition of the Don Juan Derby promises to be another exciting one as 11 tough and tested imported and local 3-year-olds are in the line-up vying for the whopping R1.58-million at stake," KDJM president Rudy Pamintuan, who is on his second straight year of steering the organization, said.

"Not only that, our three other major stakes races such as the Golden Girls Stakes, the Juvenile Colts Stakes, and the Juvenile Fillies Stakes will be disputed by horses that are excelling in their own categories. Klub Don Juan de Manila is very proud to present to the racing industry another week-long of racing excitement and extravaganza," he added.

The annual event is on its sixth year and the other past winners include: Robert Liong’s Free Wind in the inaugural stage in 2002; Ed Gonzalez’s Midnight Lady in 2003; Paolo Mendoza’s Don Paolo in 2004; Atty. Ed Moreno’s Wild Orchid in 2005; and Com. Coco Cayco’s Big Deb last year.

The organizing KDJM also released the list of participants in the three other major stakes events to be held during the day and they are the Don Antonio Floirendo Sr. Golden Girls Stakes, the Don Juan Juvenile Colts Stakes, and the Don Juan Juvenile Fillies Stakes.

The official line-up of entries in the said three major events are:

GOLDEN GIRLS STAKES: Wild Orchid Jeff Zarate; Stop Talking Jesse Guce; Fairy Queen Lord Santos; Hussy Kelvin Abobo; Ever Mine Now JB Hernandez; La Tienne Pati Dilema; and Great Emma Antonio Alcasid Jr.

JUVENILE COLTS: He’s The Man Jesse Guce; General Onay Jeff Zarate; Kampai Jem Tinte; Hittheroadjack Fernando Raquel Jr.; Bohemian Dave Antonio Alcasid Jr.; Santo Santito Alvin Guce; and Unopposed Dominador Borbe Jr.

JUVENILE FILLIES: Anonymous Pati Dilema; Indelible Ink Jeff Zarate; Angel Eunice Antonio Alcasid Jr.; Brazhovie - Gilbert Francisco; Frolic Louie Balboa; Weder Weder Lang Jem Tinte; and Pali Dominador Borbe Jr.

Aside from these, 20 other Cup Races, headed by the New Zealand Bloodstock Cup, will be held during the Derby Week that starts on Tuesday (Oct. 9) with additional prizes to the winners. Greg Norcott, the general manager of New Zealand Bloodstock, will be arriving to grace the event and will be on hand to award the trophy to the owner of the winning horse in the said New Zealand Bloodstock Cup. The other Cup Races include: Mustang Security Cup; Ace Navigation Cup; Hi-Grade Ridegemont Cup; Phil-LPG Bus & Taxi Co. Inc. Cup; Sunriser Manufacturer Corporation Cup; GSIS Family Bank Cup; San Miguel Corporation Cup; Milestone Paper Cup; ACDS/TDI Optimum Nutrition Cup; Fanfrluche Cup; Broadcom Asia Cup; Past President Albert Trinidad Cup; Manila Councilor Che Borromeo Cup; Club Maliziia Cup; OCAI Cup; Leland Loleng Cup; and the Juanito Macaraig Memorial Cup.