The Philippine Jockey Club is set to launch the first wave of racing momentum into 2026. On Friday, January 2, a compact yet fiercely competitive seven-race card promises to combine precision, strategy, and raw ambition. While there is no single feature race, uniform prize money of ₱400,000 across all contests ensures that every race carries equal significance, turning every start into a calculated test of form and execution in the early days of the year.
The program will kick off at 5:00 PM with Race 1, a 3YO and above Maiden Pace for placers and non-placers over 1200 metres. With seven runners poised to make their mark, the opener will act as a predictive lens into the emerging talent set to shape the season ahead, testing early-season readiness and tactical acumen.
Contenders: Calampinay Beach, Red Bell, Legazpi Wind, Amber Moon, Rodeo Drive, No Quit, Fly With The Wind
Race 2, slated for 5:30 PM, marks the first of four RBHS Class 5 (17–41 split) contests over 1400 metres. A field of seven runners will ensure tight racing, where split-second positioning and intelligent ride execution will define success, setting a benchmark for the evening’s mid-card contests.
Contenders: Heritage, Peer Less, Sovereign Red, Mr. Von, Laughing Inside, Private Dining, Brainchild
At 6:00 PM, Race 3 will continue the Class 5 sequence. With six runners navigating the same distance, anticipation will focus on late-stage acceleration, race intelligence, and strategic pacing—a preview of the calculated battles the year ahead promises.
Contenders: Professor Jones, Barek Na, Equitem, Galloping Ghost, Just Me, Golden Arya
Race 4, beginning at 6:30 PM, will maintain the Class 5 momentum. Precision, judgment, and seamless timing from gate to finish line will likely separate the contenders from the field in what promises to be a measured but high-stakes encounter.
Contenders: Make Hay, Quincy, Queen Margaux, Malibu Bell, Ma’am Gen, Moderna
The final Class 5 race, Race 5 at 7:00 PM, will bring the segment to a close. Over 1400 metres, the field of six runners is expected to push early boundaries while setting the stage for the elevated challenges to come.
Contenders: Wireframe, Amberdini Eagle, Stand In Faith, Push My Luck, A Man’s A Man, Seychelles
With Race 6 at 7:30 PM, the card will enter RBHS Class 4 (42–56 split). Six runners over 1400 metres will encounter a sharper competitive edge, where experience, conditioning, and finishing strength will define the early leaders of 2026.
Contenders: Paris With Bronze, Buntay Shore, Flaming June, Sea Rise, Frosty Raven, Polite Bell
The evening will culminate with Race 7 at 8:00 PM, another Class 4 contest over 1400 metres, featuring eight runners. As the final test of the card, it promises a demanding, tactical showdown, offering a clear statement of intent from horses, trainers, and riders aiming to assert dominance in the new racing era.
Contenders: River South, Grand Monarch, Instant Message, Boy Hulo, Melania, True Blue, Matikas, Mendel Bell
Philippine Racecards 2 January will not merely signal a calendar change—it will mark the forward trajectory of 2026 racing. Balanced prize money, competitive fields, and a deliberate class progression ensure that the opening days of the year are measured, high-intensity, and distinctly future-focused.
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