Sponsored annually by the Philippine Racing Commission, this year’s series for the best 3-year-olds offers a whopping total of 12.69million that is evenly distributed among the three major jewels.

The highlight event offers the top prize of P1.8 million to the winner of each leg while the runne-rup picks up P675,000, third P375,000 and fourth P150,000. The breeder of the winning horse in each leg also receives a prize of P100,000.

A Hopeful Stakes, offering total prizes of R1million, is being held in every leg and this is for those 3-year-olds which decided not to join the major event.

The winner receives the top prize of P600,000 while the runner-up gets P225,000, third P125,000 and fourth P50,000. The breeder of the winning horse in each leg also receives a prize of P30,000.

"This is the culminating series for all those who have aspired to have good, local 3-year-olds. The Philippine Racing Commission is proud to sponsor such an annual series that is very prestigious and is already a part of our rich, local horseracing tradition since 1978. The 31st running of the three-jeweled series is another culmination of the hardwork and aspirations of the various owners, trainers, jockeys and other industry players whose horses will be highlighted for the next three months of exciting battle at the racetrack. By simply getting your horse to the main event is already success to those who shall answer the bell at the gates. I wish all the participants the best of luck," said Philracom chairman Jose Ferdinand Rojas II.

Chairman Rojas also revealed that a horse that sweeps all the three major jewels shall receive a bonus of R500,000.

Since its inception in 1978, only eight horses have did the hattrick and they are Fair & Square in 1981, Skywalker in 1983, Time Master in 1987, Magic Showtime in 1988, Sun Dancer in 1989, Strong Material in 1996, Real Top in 1998, and Silver Story in 2001.

The first leg of the series that will be disputed over the 1,600-meter distance this Sunday attracted a total of six tough and battleready gallopers composed of Lorraine Uy Wi’s Don Enrico, Raymund Puyat’s Hieroglyphics, Hermie Esguerra’s Indelible Ink and Queen Elena, Tony Tan’s Shining Fame, and Mario Tan’s Unopposed.

Last year’s champion Juvenile, Indelible Ink, and the resurgent Don Enrico are expected to fight it out for the top honors but racing experts are not discounting an upset coming from the four other contenders.

Meanwhile, nine colts and fillies are entered in the 1,600-meter Hopeful Stakes and they are: Sixto Esquivias IV’s Angel Dugo; Hermie Esguerra’s Anonymous, Napoleon Chua’s Arithmetic, Dante Arevalo’s Bohemian Dave, Bienvenido Niles’s Champion of Show, Ernesto Logarta’s Don Alejandro, Eddie Dimacuha’s Love Story, Moises Villasenor’s Luna Rossa and Ruben Dimacuha’s Makisig.