The horse racing track owned Metro Turf Club Inc. in San Pioquinto, Malvar, Batangas will no longer be closed.
Metro Manila Turf Club Inc. president Norberto Quisumbing Jr. said that the MMTCI has changed its mind on its decision to temporarily suspend their operations for the first quarter of the year 2019.
“We hereby withdraw our earlier notice of the intention of the MMTCI to suspend operations for the period of January to March 2019, and instead manifest its intention to continue its racing operations,” wrote Quisumbing in his letter yesterday to Philippine Racing Commission Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez.
Quisumbing informed the Philracom of their decision, some five days after the MMTCI T recently wrote the racing commission of their intention to temporarily suspend operations from January to March 2019.
In his letter, Quisumbing cited “huge losses in its racing operations since January 2018.”
The losses, according to Quisumbing, were mostly due to external factors such as illegal sabong operations, decline in patronage due to higher taxes, waning interest of bettors, excessive regulations and controls, decreasing numbers of horse breeders and horseowners, among others.
The decision to continue operations in the first quarter of 2019 comes after careful evaluation, added Quisumbing.
It was also done after they had a consultation with various stakeholders, and friends from the industry.
The club has a license to operate until April 2022.
Last Dec. 2, Metro Turf even hosted the Pasay “The Travel City” Racing Festival, where the Phiracom’s Grand Sprint Championship, won by Son Also Rises, was ran.