Charlemagne tops Founders' Cup

Fourth choice Charlemagne outduelled Hazmoore down the stretch of a lung-busting race then thwarted top pick Gold Edition's late charge to score a stunning one-length victory in the 23rd "1867 Founders Cup" at San Lazaro yesterday.

On a day when longshots practically ruled with stunning wire-to-wire and come-from-behind wins, Charlemagne didn't let the quick-stepping Hazmoore storm way out in front then made his move in the last 200 meters en route to the victory.

Ace jockey Dominador Borbe steered the five-year-old horse to the surprising win in a typical Borbe fashion, never letting up on his mount as soon as they made the last bend for home and then reeled his whip at the wire after galloping past Hazmoore.

The Aristeo Puyat's veteran stakes race campaigner, who sold only P91,825 out of the grand total sales of P875,335, clocked 2:01 3/5 over the tough 1,900-meter voyage with quartertimes of 17-24-26'-25-29.

Hazmoore, resuming her hunt for stakes race titles after a failed bid in last week's first leg of the Triple Crown, displayed awesome staying power as she paced the six-horse field from the start up to the last 25 meters.

Gold Edition came in third followed by Misty Rose, Bogart and Metronome in that order. -