San Lazaro Leisure Park

THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 4 August 2010, Wednesday

Gentle Irony Wins Peridot I

Racegoers – the bayang karerista – are among the most avid and rabid of sports fans, and to show their support for the sport they love, some of them have formed websites and forums where they mostly discuss the sport of kings.

I met Josh at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite, some years back. He had started such a website with some other members of the BK, and proved himself a keen and critical fan.

Here’s his take on last weekend’s Peridot I stakes, held at SLLP:

“Just how good is Gentle Irony nowadays?  The colt delivered the answer by almost erasing the long standing record of Hazmoore, a local-bred horse, who set a time of 1:58.4 in the Sampaguita Stakes race [some years back], a feat that caught the majority of the racing enthusiasts at the San Lazaro Leisure Park by surprise.

“Gentle Irony ran like a bullet train over 1,900 meters, making Batang Tundo, stable mate Juggling Act, Tiwi Magic,  Multiply and My Hope sweat as they tried to catch up to the colt’s fast tempo.

“The 4YO son of Exceed and Excel (Aus) out of Gentle Call (NZ) registered a very impressive record of 1:59 with quarter clockings of 18’-23-25’-25-27….[crossing] the wire about a length ahead of late charging Multiply. Juggling Act, stable mate of Gentle Irony, settled for third followed by Indy Hay, Dailies, Joshua’s Laughter, and Aling Nayang [leading to] a carry-over in the Super Six event because of longshots Indy Hay, Joshua’s Laughter, and Aling Nayang.

“Gentle Irony [will be tested] when he meets Miss Dixie Dancer and Ibarra in the Local & Imported Championship.”

The mix of local and imported horses on the racecard leads to much anticipation among racing fans, who are looking for speed and even more speed in the animals that they admire.

Speaking of huge racing events, fans can look forward to the second Mayor Ramon Bagatsing Memorial Racing Festival on August 19. It will be a low-key event this year, says the late mayor and horseowner’s son Manila congressman Amado Bagatsing, himself a long-time horseman.

“Philracom will support two out of the eight races on the card on that day,” said Cong. Bagatsing. “The Division I will be open to the ‘Triple Crown’ 3YO such as Carriedo and Yes Pogi, while the Division II will be for 3YO of the ‘Hopeful’ stakes calibre. The distances will be long, from 1,800 meters onward, so that we can have a really good show.” He added that prize money will be given up to fifth place.

With more big-money stakes races scheduled in the coming ‘ber’ months, it is certain that horseracing will provide smokin’ hot entertainment to aficionados looking to feed their need for speed.  ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 21 July 2010, Wednesday

Triple Crown Hopes Dashed

A magnificent performance by a comebacking colt crushed the Triple Crown sweep hopes of another via a heart-breaking photo-finish – and denied him a P500,000 bonus on top of the first prize of P1.8 million.

Yes Pogi, Francis Lim’s come-from-behind gray, failed to prevail against Herminio Esguerra’s Carriedo in the third leg of the Philippine Racing Commision-sponsored championship series for elite 3YOv local-breds last Sunday at San Lazaro Leisure Park.

Carriedo, who had a successful juvenile campaign, was sidelined by injury for much of his 3YO season and was unable to compete in the first and second legs of the Triple Crown. They were won by Yes Pogi, who endeared himself to fans with his laid-back running style of loping along in last for most of the race, only to surge in the later stages and win via close finishes.

Railbirds had expected that the 2,000-meter Triple Crown third leg would prove to be an easy run for the Rum Tum Tiger-sired gray, since longer distances favor stayers. But when the news broke that Carriedo was back in harness, the odds quickly rearranged themselves to give the plucky bay a good chance to reassert his domination over foes he had beat before.

All the contenders broke well from the gate, their hooves trying to gain traction on a sloppy track. Thief in the Nite, the lone filly, took the lead, followed by Consolidator. Carriedo ran off the pace in fourth while Yes Pogi, galloping towards the back of the back, moved up along the rail.

At the backstretch, it was still Thief in the Nite by two ahead of Consolidator, Scotland Yard in third, Carriedo still in fourth, while Yes Pogi had moved up to fifth. Jesse Guce, on board Carriedo, saw a hole and started moving up, while Yes Pogi, hugging the rail, was still looking for a place to go through.

At the far turn, Yes Pogi went through a gap between horses, swinging a bit wide off his course, while Carriedo saved ground and made a tight sweet turn into the homestretch.

Down the lane, it was Carriedo in front by ¾ length, as Yes Pogi tried to catch up under heavy whipping by jockey Fernando Raquel Jr. All Jesse Guce had to do was ‘show the whip’ to Carriedo, who struggled to keep the gap even as Yes Pogi lengthened his strides. They hit the wire at practically the same time in a photo-finish ending.

When the dust cleared, Carriedo was declared the winner by less than a nose, clocking a total time of 2:07. Yes Pogi came in second, Righthererightnow third, and Thoti’s Best fourth.

A bit of trivia – both Yes Pogi (out of Belle Epoque) and Carriedo (Deputy Bodman – Astuce) were bred at Esguerra’s Herma Farm and Stud in Batangas.

The Triple Crown wasn’t the only battle for elite 3YO last weekend. On Saturday, in the Philracom’s Hopeful Stakes, auxiliary to the Triple Crown, it was the Manolito Daquis-guided Si Señor (The Cliff Edge – She’s No Princess) that prevailed by 3-1/2 lengths over Westerly Wind. Redemption settled for third, Unequalled fourth. The 2,000-meter run tested the capabilities of a larger field than the Triple Crown over a hard track, resulting in the victory of a longshot with a total time of 2:10.

Now, another favorite pasttime of racing fans – running races in hindsight. What if Carriedo had been entered in the first two legs – would the entire outcome of this series have been different? It’s one of those questions that can only be answered with, “We’ll never know.”

What we are sure of is that we still have no Triple Crown champion. The P500,000 bonus prize put up by Philracom for a sweep champion remains unclaimed.While a sweep would have been quite an accomplishment for Yes Pogi, the fact that it is now going on ten years since the last one (Patrick Uy’s Silver Story in 2001), it is proof that the quality of Philippine thoroughbreds are so well-matched that there isn’t one that stands head and withers above the rest. ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 14 July 2010, Wednesday

Triple Crown Sweep?

After a nine-year drought, will there finally be a Philippine Triple Champion?

After winning the first two legs of the Philippine Racing Commission three-leg championship series for local-bred 3YOs, Yes Pogi needs to win the last battle on Sunday to make his mark in racing history as a successor to the illustrious lineup of champions.

However, he won the first two legs at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park. The final showdown will take place at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park over a lung-busting 2,000 meters – the longest leg of the series.

Yes Pogi, owned by Francis Lim, goes up against Hermie Esguerra’s Carriedo  (who was not in the first two legs), Jun Almeda’s Consolidator, Vicente Lava’s Go Vinnie, Joseph Dyhengco’s Lakota Creek and Scotland Yard, Deemark Trading’s Righthererightnow, Wilbert Tan’s Thoti’s Best, and Eric Tagle’s Thief in the Nite, the lone filly who will carry an impost of 52 kgs., while the others – colts – carry 54 kgs.

If Yes Pogi is still in the same stellar condition as when he won the first two legs, he has a very good chance to sweep. But now he has to contend with tough foes at a different track. I don’t see the longer distance as a problem; it might in fact be an advantage for this stayer, who usually runs in last or at the back of the pack, and edges up in the back stretch close to the far turn before going into full rampage at the top of the stretch to mow down the frontrunners. Talk about intimidation.

I’m also looking at other stayers to do well, such as Lakota Creek and Righthererightnow. First prize in this race is P1.8 million, a hefty purse which will be hotly contested by all. Should Yes Pogi accomplish a sweep, he takes home an additional P500,000, a bonus prize put up by Philracom for whoever wins all three legs of the most important series for 3YO.

The Philracom’s Hopeful Stakes, auxiliary to the Triple Crown and open also to 3YO local-breds, is set for Saturday at SLLP over 2,000 meters. Declared for this race are Hermie Esguerra’s Andalucia, C&H Enterprises’ Gallant Prince and Westerly Wind, Jeci Lapus’s Ice Storm, Nonoy Niles’s Invincible, Wilbert Tan’s Milenyo, Benhur Abalos’s Open Slew and Redemption, Ruben Dimacuha’s Si Senor, Roberto Yutadco’s Speed Spell, and Jade Bros. Farm’s Unequalled.

Second leg Hopeful winner Thief in the Nite moved up to the Triple Crown, leaving this race wide-open, again to stayers who will have the style and stamina to go two kilometres. The C&H and Abalos entries are looking good, while I wouldn’t discount frontrunners Andalucia and Speed Spell. This is an even-steven lineup that is pretty hard to call, and is interesting for that reason. Let’s see who brings home the P600,000 first prize.

There is also prize money for second to fourth placers, as well as breeders’ purses: P100,000 for the breeder of the Triple Crown champion and P30,000 for that of the Hopeful winner.

According to Philracom chairman lawyer Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, “A sweep will be very exciting for the sport and for its aficionados. We look forward to seeing if the sweep bonus prize will finally be claimed. The breeders’ prizes should serve as added incentives for breeders to continue the good work they are doing to improve our local thoroughbred bloodstock.”

This weekend at SLLP will have participants and fans on tenterhooks, eager to see if Yes Pogi, a gray horse will follow another gray (Patrick Uy’s Silver Story in 2001) in the roster of Triple Crown champions. Who are you going with – sa itim (bay), sa pula (chestnut), o sa puti (gray or roan)?  ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 7 July 2010, Wednesday

Mega Red Wins PSA Cup

He’s the 3YO son of the highest-earning Philippine champion racehorse of all time, and is as red as a roasted chestnut all over. Named Mega Red, this emerging star is one to watch in the days to come after winning last Sunday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Cup.

Trophies for winning owner, trainer, and jockey at the awarding area at SLLP

Held at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park, the 1,500-meter condition race for local-bred 3YO of both genders was the revival of a venerable tradition, spearheaded by the present leadership of the PSA with the support of the Philippine Racing Commission.

Ridden by jockey Jesse Guce, Mega Red beat ten other runners and clocked quarters of 18-24′-25′-28′ for a total time of 1:36.6 to win by four lengths over Rene See’s Winner’s Lane. Tierra Sagrada de Maria’s Skyline Pigeon came in third and Don Antonio Floirendo Sr.’s Indy’s Gift fourth.

Mega Red, with Jesse Guce aboard, wins by four.

According to Philracom chairman lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, the Commission “is pleased to bring back this race for the enjoyment of racing fans and to support the PSA which is a valued partner of the racing industry.”

As in previous occasions of the PSA Cup, the proceeds of the race will fund the organization’s various projects and activities, among them the annual PSA Awards Night, the only recognition program in Philippine sports.

On hand to present the trophies at the awarding ceremony were PSA president Teddyvic Melendres (sports editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer) and treasurer Joe Antonio (sports editor, People’s Journal). Winning trainer Dave de la Cruz accepted the owner’s trophy in behalf of Mega Red’s owner Herminio Esguerra, who was in Canada at the time but sent his best wishes to the PSA officers and members.

Joe Antonio, Teddyvic Melendres, and Philracom’s Dr Romy Buencamino watch the races from the SLLP Turf Club balcony.

With them were Chairman Rojas, Philracom racing consultant veterinarian Romeo Buencamino, MJC racing manager Jose Ramon C. Magboo, and guest Michael Milbier.

Melendres presents a trophy to Dave de la Cruz. With them are Dr Buencamino, Magboo, Milbier, Chairman Rojas, and Antonio.

Bred by Esguerra’s Herma Farms & Stud, Mega Red was sired by Philippine champion Wind Blown out of broodmare Excel Prime (by Al Bashaama).

Upon discussion with Melendres and Antonio, Chairman Rojas says plans may go forward for another Philracom-sponsored PSA Cup in late December, to be tentatively held on the same day as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Presidential Gold Cup.

The PCSO Gold Cup is regarded as the most prestigious on the racing calendar. Holding both events on the same day would afford PSA members – editors, sportswriters, and photographers – the rare chance to witness two top-drawing races in one visit.

Melendres and Antonio thanked Chairman Rojas, the Commission, MJC, and the participants and racing fans for their support of the PSA Cup. In an interview aired over the live racing show on cable TV, Melendres added that he looks forward to increased press coverage of racing events from now on.

Antonio, Melendres, Milbier, Chairman Rojas, Magboo, and Dr Buencamino at the Gold Box of the SLLP Turf Club

It’s great that this yearly tradition has been resurrected. In former days, when sports editors and kareristas Rudy Navarro and Jimmy Cantor were among the PSA officers, racing news was given more space in the dailies. Nowadays only a handful of sportswriters who also happen to be staunch karera fans write about track happenings, among them Joe Antonio.

Let’s hope that with more exposure to the sport, the current crop of PSA officers and members will get wrapped up in the mega-action, mega-speed, and mega-power that only a field of thoroughbreds thundering around a track can deliver. Mega Red would approve.  ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 30 June 2010, Wednesday

Verdugo Juveniles

Verdugo.

In Spanish, it means ‘tyrant, executioner’; in Filipino, it connotes images of masculinity and toughness. And if you believe that words – and names – possess power, a special mojo of their own, then it’s a good strong name for a racehorse.

The names of the “Dugo” horses currently terrorizing the track are taken from this word, and they are living up to its meaning in spectacular style, the latest instances being the winners of last weekend’s Juvenile Stakes races at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park.

Sponsored by the Philippine Racing Commission, Saturday saw the running of the Juvenile Fillies and Sunday the Colts, both over 1,200 meters.

In the Fillies, Sixto Esquivias’s Antoine D’Ugo, winner of a Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Special Maiden race some three weeks back, was sent off as the outstanding favorite. To no one’s surprise she completely trounced her foes – Oliver Velasquez’s Deputy Jazz, who came in second; third-placer Pot Pot’s Love (her coupled entry); Wilbert Tan’s Ginny Rose; while Dugo’s Paramour (owned by Ralph Javier) came in last.

Antoine D’Ugo (Fort Dignity – Mrs. Rainier) was bred by Tony de Ubago.

In the Colts, Ralph Javier’s Arvin Dugo won handily, posting splits of 24’-22’-26’ for a total time of 1:13.5. Tony de Ubago’s Cheese Quemas came in second a couple of lengths behind, followed by Javier’s General Dugo (the winner’s coupled entry) and Tan’s Perfect Pyjama.

The Juvenile Colts races was run without betting, as there is a required minimum number of entries for the racing club to offer a certain betting option. Why were only ‘three in number’ were allowed to run? Because there is a racing rule that provides exactly that.

Meanwhile, jockey Fernando Raquel Jr. and trainer Renato Yamco scored two-for-two by copping trophies in both races as rider and conditioner of Antoine D’Ugo and Arvin Dugo.

*******

It was great to hear from horseowner and breeder Raymund Puyat last week. He clarified a statement I made in my last column about Rum Tum Tiger, sire of recent PCSO Special Maiden race winner Naugh Naugh, being a Herma Farms & Stud stallion. Puyat was in fact the owner of the stallion (now deceased), which stood at Herma for two seasons. He also owns Velocity, Naugh Naugh’s dam.

Arvin Dugo (Quaker Ridge – Repriced) was bred by Eric Tagle, who mentioned that Repriced is also the dam of his champion Thief in the Nite (by US sire Bel Esprit), winner of this year’s Philracom 2^nd leg Hopeful Stakes.

Among the country’s most steadfast breeders, Puyat and Tagle continue to contribute to the effort of raising Philippine champions by bringing in successful lineages from abroad.

********

From the Philracom comes the news that several horses broke records at Santa Ana Park recently. In the 1,100m: Sixto Esquivias’s Megamax, 1:05.8; 1,200m: Celerino Falcon’s Queen Starr, 1:13; and two owned by Herminio Esguerra – 1,300m: Go Army, 1:17.6; 1,700m: Multiply, 1:46. Congratulations! Expect faster times and perhaps more new records with the advent of the rainy season and firmer track surfaces.

********

This Sunday at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park will see the revival of the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association Cup, sponsored by the Philracom. The lineup will be announced soon.   ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 23 June 2010, Wednesday

Naugh Naugh Wins

Now what kind of name is that for a racehorse?

Owned by Napoleon Magno and trained by Donny Sordan, Naugh Naugh, a bay colt foaled in February 2008, is by Herma Farms and Stud stallion Rum Tum Tiger out of Philippine mare Velocity.

He did well in his first few runs but showed a stellar quality last Sunday in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Special Maiden Race held over 1,300 meters at the San Lazaro Leisure Park.

Steered by Class A rider Jesse Guce, the oddly-named colt trounced four other opponents – Conqueror, the also strangely-appellated Cheese Quemas, Bosbarawana, and General Dugo.

This goes to show that in racing, you don’t go by the name – you go by the feet. Because names can’t run.

**********

This weekend at Santa Ana Park, expect more juvenile action with the staging of the Philippine Racing Commission’s 1^st leg Juvenile Fillies Stakes on Saturday and the 1^st leg Juvenile Colts Race on Sunday, both races to be run over an easy 1,200 meters.

Each race will have prizes of P300,00 for first, P112,500 for second, P62,500 for third, and P25,000 for fourth, with a breeder’s prize of P15,000. The generous incentives, said Philracom chairman lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, “are to ensure the continued efforts towards breeding Philippine champions that can hold their own with the world’s best.”

Six have signed up to fight in the Fillies Stakes: Sixto Esquivias IV’s Antoine d’Ugo (to be ridden by jockey Fernando Raquel Jr.) and Potpot’s Love (Jonathan Hernandez); Edward Tan’s Armoury; Oliver Velasquez’s Deputy Jazz (Val Dilema); Ralph Javier’s Dugo’s Paramour (Jhemo Tinte); Wilbert Tan’s Ginny’s Rose (Patty Dilema).

Four will contend in the Colts: Ralph Javier’s Arvin Dugo (Raquel) and General Dugo (Tinte); Tony de Ubago’s Cheese Quemas (Jonathan Hernandez); and Wilbert Tan’s Perfect Pyjama (Patty Dilema).

All fillies will carry a set weight of 52 kgs., colts 54 kgs.

In the Fillies, I’m looking at Antoine d’Ugo to do well. She won the May 23 PCSO Special Maiden Race at Santa Ana Park going wire-to-wire, beating a panting Arvin Dugo who’ll be running in the Colts this time.

With Naugh Naugh not running in the Colts, General Dugo’s chances look much better and he should stage a good performance here.

**********

These are not the only good races in the offing. Watch out for the revival of the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association Cup, slated for July 4 at SLLP.  Sponsored by the Philracom, the PSA Cup will once more see sports writers, not only those who cover racing, converge at the track to enjoy the races, each other’s company, and raise funds for the organization’s charitable  efforts and other activities.   (Email: jennyo@live.com * Visit: http://jennyo.net)

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 9 June 2010, Wednesday

Yes Pogi – Racing’s Vacuum Cleaner?

For the first time in nine years, Philippine thoroughbred racing has a strong chance of seeing its Triple Crown sweep champion drought come to an end.

With 3YO roan colt Yes Pogi’s crowd-pleasing victory in the second leg of the Philippine Racing Commission Triple Crown series last Sunday at Santa Ana Park, sweep hopes surged high on the part of the horse’s connections and supporters.

Yes Pogi won the first leg last month in dramatic fashion, coming from the tail end of the pack to forge a blazing rally down the lane to win by nearly two lengths. With jockey Fernando Raquel Jr. aboard, he humiliated the other eight other runners, flashing past them as if they were standing still.

After that race, railbirds speculated on the gray’s chances in the second leg. Many said the outcome might have been different in the first leg if jockey Jeffril Zarate had not fallen off third favorite Scotland Yard, seen as the best bet to nip Yes Pogi’s chances.

Sure enough, last Sunday, Scotland Yard and coupled entry Lakota Creek emerged as second favorites after Yes Pogi. First leg second placer Well Well Well was third pick.

Out of the gate, Yes Pogi hung back in third to the last position in the seven-entry field. Scotland Yard had a bad start and was forced to catch up a bit, galloping off the pace behind frontrunner Thotis Best, while Righthererightnow ran in third.

At the back stretch, Yes Pogi maneuvered into fourth position until the home turn. As in the first leg, faced by a wall of horseflesh, he was forced to race very wide as rider Raquel scrambled to find a good position. With the Jeffril Zarate-piloted Scotland Yard in the lead and Thotis Best in second,  veteran jockey Raquel took a calculated risk and swung Yes Pogi in between Thotis Best on the outside and Righthererightnow by the rail.

It was an intuitive move that brought Yes Pogi closer to Scotland Yard. Matching his bay nemesis stride for stride, the gallant gray found extra reserves to go a couple better and catch Scotland Yard at the wire in a drama-filled photo-finish ending that brought fans at the Naic track surging to their feet, screaming in hoarse abandon.

Yes Pogi was declared the winner by a nose. The splits were 13’-24-24-24’-27’ for the killer 1,800-meter race, with a total time of 1:53.4 on a fast track.

Bred by businessman Herminio Esguerra’s Herma Farms and Stud out of prolific broodmare Belle Epoque (With Approval-Seaholme) by Kentucky-bred stallion Rum Tum Tiger (Storm Cat-Aly Tigress), Yes Pogi was acquired as a yearling by owner Francis Lim at a Herma Farms auction. Under careful training from low-profile conditioner Felix Lauron, Yes Pogi has evolved from a gangling stayer into a formidable contender for a Triple Crown sweep.

Patrick Uy’s Silver Story in 2001 was the last to win all three races of the Triple Crown series for local-bred 3YO. Will Yes Pogi be the next to claim the crown? He might, with the incentive of added riches making a sweep sweeter. In an on-air interview on the cable TV live racing coverage, Philracom chairman lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II reminded everyone of the Commission’s P500,000 bonus prize to whoever sweeps the legendary series, on top of the P1.8 million for first place.

But the third leg on July 18 at San Lazaro Leisure Park will be a punishing 2,000 meters. Again, a longer distance would favor super stayers like Yes Pogi. However, he might have to contend with Hopeful Stakes leg two winner Thief in the Nite, Eric Tagle’s freakishly fast filly who won her 1,800 last Saturday by three wire-to-wire under jockey Jonathan Hernandez. Jun Almeda’s It’s June Again, who copped the Hopeful first leg, might compete also, in addition to the usual gang.

The way Yes Pogi has been performing under Fernando Raquel’s superb handling, he’s been power-vacuuming up foes and spitting them out like so many dust bunnies. And all things staying the same, he’s going to do it all over again next month. A sweep? No problem. Plug it in and bring ‘em on.   ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 2 June 2010, Wednesday

Triple Crown and Hopeful 2

“Let’s get ready to rrrumble…!”

Alright, so that’s Michael Buffer’s trademarked catchphrase for boxing. But after several weeks’ hiatus from major racing events, the excitement of racing fans has revved up to fever pitch for this weekend’s one-two punch of stakes matches.

In the Philippines, local-bred 3YO are gearing to get it on in the second legs of the Philippine Racing Commission’s Hopeful – June 5 – and Triple Crown – June 6 – at Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.

In the 1,800-meter Hopeful second leg are colts Chinoi with jockey Virgilio Camañero, King Bearhart (Jordan Cordova), Shining Armour (Kelvin Abobo), and Si Señor (Mark Alvarez). The fillies are Elusive Cat (Karvin Malapira), Gold Mine (Ronald Baldonido), Ice Storm (Red de Leon), Open Slew (Jesse Guce), Speed Spell (Jhemo Tinte), The Chairwoman (Fernando Raquel), and Thief In the Nite (Jonathan Hernandez). Lepanto and Milenyo, both nominated, were not declared.

In the Triple Crown second leg, also 1,800 meters, are colts Invincible with jockey Kelvin Abobo, Lakota Creek (Dominador Borbe), Righthererightnow (John Alvin Guce), Scotland Yard (Jeffril Zarate), Thotis Best (Patty Dilema), and first leg winner Yes Pogi (Fernando Raquel). The lone filly is Well Well Well (Jonathan Hernandez).

Since these are “set weight” races, all colts will carry 54 kgs., fillies 52 kgs.

In the Hopeful, I’m giving a big chance to Shining Armour, who ran in the first leg of the Triple Crown. He wore down Brother Barack, whom we won’t see this weekend. Speed Spell and The Chairwoman are fast; stayer Ice Storm could place.

In the Triple Crown, I’m expecting Yes Pogi to once more hang back at the back of the pack and execute a heart-stopping rally down the stretch to win in the nick of time. He did that in the Philracom Chairman’s Cup last March and again in the first leg of the Triple Crown last month. His running style may give supporters cardiac arrhythmia with the suspense, but I’m putting all my money on this gutsy gray colt.

Well Well Well, who copped second place in the first leg, is one to watch carefully here. Don’t ignore Righthererightnow who placed fourth. Lakota Creek came in third in the Chairman’s Cup and could do better this go-round. That’s my quartet bet right there.

In the American arena, the last leg of the US Triple Crown is on June 5. The Belmont Stakes is 1-1/2 miles long (2,400 meters) and is the toughest of the three legs. This year’s edition features Kentucky Derby contender Ice Box as the morning-line favorite, with neither Derby winner Super Saver nor Preakness victor Lookin’ at Lucky joining the race.

Completing the 12-horse field are First Dude, Make Music For Me, Stately Victor, Drosselmeyer, Dave in Dixie, Interactif, Fly Down, Game On Dude, Spangled Star, Stay Put, and Uptowncharleybrown.

Look forward to more Philracom stakes races in the coming weeks: The 1,200-meter first legs of the Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile Colts stakes on June 26 and 27 respectively at Santa Ana Park, and the killer 2,000-meter third legs of the Hopeful and Triple Crown, July 17 and 18 respectively, at San Lazaro Leisure Park. All are set-weight races.

With occasional rains already here, expect the track at Naic to get a bit harder and yield faster times this weekend. Will time records be broken? I doubt it, considering the scuffling that will go on down the stretch; runners will be too busy with their fancy footwork. Still, as with all horse races, ‘anything goes’ and a new fighter could emerge the victor in the upcoming battles. “Let’s get ready to rrrace…!” Okay, I trademark that! ***

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THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 26 May 2010, Wednesday

Filly Beats Five

It was a sleeper of a major race that snuck in under the radar of racing fans focused on the remaining Triple Crown races both here and in the US.

It wasn’t until the racing programs came out on Friday night that attention was given to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Special Maiden Race, that ran last Sunday at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.

The event, once called the “Sweepstakes” race and was connected to the drawing of winners for that PCSO event, showcases the best local-bred juveniles as part of PCSO’s mandate to help improve the sport of horseracing.

A 1,200-meter journey, the race drew six entries: Ofelia Ibaviosa’s Whistler, Ralph Javier’s Arvin Dugo, and Rene See’s Winner’s Lane, all colts; and Paolo Mendoza’s Fortune Dancer, Sixto Esquivias’s Antoine D’Ugo, and Luis Hofileña’s Copacobana, fillies.

In the trial run staged some weeks before the Special Maiden race, Antoine D’Ugo came in first, followed a hair’s width behind by Whistler. Arvin Dugo was a length away in third, followed by Copacobana, Winner’s Lane, and Fortune Dancer last.

Arvin Dugo was sent off as the race favorite last Sunday, on the strength of his having clocked a second faster than second pick Antoine D’Ugo in their respective novato races; and, all other things being fairly equal, a handicapping rule of thumb has it that colt is likely to do better than a filly.

The filly proved she had the fleeter feet when she broke clean from the gate under the masterful hands of jockey Fernando Raquel Jr. The tandem dove for the lead and never let go their advantage until they hit the wire three lengths ahead of the panting Arvin Dugo.

The Renato Yamco-trained Antoine D’Ugo’s victory was worth P300,000. Arvin Dugo’s connections settled for P100,000, while the third-place purse of 50,000 went to Copacobana’s owner. A prize of P30,000 was awarded to businessman Antonio de Ubago, who bred the Fort Dignity – Mrs. Rainier filly.

Fort Dignity (Seeking the Gold – Kitza) brings in the dependable Mr. Prospector blood from his sire side and Northern Dancer from his dam. Mrs. Rainier (With Class – Loveable Princess) is a reliable Australian-bred broodmare who carries a double dose of Northern Dancer with a dash of Secretariat. Her dam’s grandsire is Mr. Prospector, from whom a great many US champions are descended, among them 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, the undefeated Zenyatta, and this year’s Preakness victor Lookin at Lucky.

Look for Antoine D’Ugo to do well in the coming 2YO races, and show that excellence is never gender-based.

Meanwhile, the local-bred 3YO are gearing up for the second leg of the Philippine Racing Commission’s Triple Crown championship series, also at Santa Ana Park, on June 6. Its auxiliary race, the Hopeful Stakes, is set on June 5.

Nominated for the 1,800-meter TC second leg are colts Invincible, Lakota Creek, Lepanto, Righthererightnow, Scotland Yard, Thotis Best, and first leg winner Yes Pogi. The lone filly entered is Well Well Well.

In the Hopeful second leg, also 1,800 meters, are colts Chinoi, King Bearhart, Lepanto, Milenyo, Shining Armour, and Si Señor; the fillies are Elusive Cat, Gold Mine, Ice Storm, Open Slew, Speed Spell, The Chairwoman, and Thief In the Nite.

Another special race to look forward to is the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association Cup. This used to be an annual tradition, but has not been held the past couple of years. It will be revived this year, and with the support of the Philracom, is slated for July 4 at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park.

With a slew of pulse-pounding stakes races due in the coming weeks, all racing fans, regardless of gender, are marking the events on their calendars in anticipation of witnessing the best local-born horseracing performers.   ***

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