Silver Story, Wind Blown triumph

Silver Story opened his campaign this year the way he closed out a successful stint last season — winning — as he ruled the Commissioner’s Cup of the Philracom Anniversary Day at the Santa Ana Park yesterday.

Wind Blown also scored an expected romp in the day’s other featured race, the Chairman’s Cup, as he dominated the field that included Triple Crown leg winner Materiales Fuertes to win for the first time under new owner in Hermie Esguerra.

The four-length victory appeared to be a virtual walk in the park for the Silver Story but the prized Patrick Uy’s colt, on his first outing after a two-month layoff, still had to put on his vaunted finishing kick to beat Mr. Purao and cop the top purse worth P270,000.

True to his form, Mr. Purao set the early pace, battled Speed Master for the lead until the far turn when Silver Story, forced to race three-wide majority of the way, made his move heading into the homestretch.
Three whips by jockey Jonathan Hernandez, back in action after a two-week suspension, drove Silver Story past Speed Master, then last year’s top horse, which swept all the Juvenile Stakes races, engaged Mr. Purao in a neck-and-neck battle in the last 150 meters before galloping home to the victory in 1:36 (18'-25'-24-28).

Wind Blown had an easier time topping his 1,600-m side of the race with new partner Fernando Raquel, Jr. steering his mount to a runaway six-length victory over Gold Edition. — R. Romualdez