Silver Story’s loss gives new twist in TC

Silver Story’s shocking loss to longshot Sonata in driving rains in a winner’s division race last Sunday at Sta. Ana has cast some doubts on the talented horse’s bid to complete the local version of the Triple Crown series which stages its third and final leg, the Horseman’s Cup, this Sunday at San Lazaro.

For one, questions about Silver Story’s ability to run over muddied tracks continue to linger five days into the blue-ribbon event which he is fancied to rule after dominating the first two legs in overpowering fashion.

Others, however, downplayed the setback, saying the condition was just too tough for the colt, who expectedly led from the start but faltered at the homestretch in unlikely manner, enabling Sonata to snatch a one-length victory.

But for those who placed their bets on the prized Patrick Uy colt, Silver Story is in for a tough outing, considering that he lost over a relatively short distance (1450 meters) and will try to complete his sweep bid over 2,000 meters.

Not only will the Horseman’s Cup serve as an acid test for Silver Story but it will also highlight the Manila Jockey Club’s staging of the "Fil-American Friendship Racing Festival" which fires off tomorrow.

Bolstered by its recent record streak, capped by an all-time single day record gross of P41.59 million in the recent Gran Copa de Manila, the MJCI management hopes to come up with another record sales during the five-day festival, feautring stakes and special races.

"As we have long promised our local patrons and industry-partners, we would like to underscore that MJC is seriously committed to promote the accelerated growth and development of the local horse racing industry until it has reached its true potential," said MJCI president, Atty. Alfonso Reyno Jr. during yesterday’s launching of the event at the MJCI turf room.

An impressive parade of seven top money races and a slew of special races will be on tap for the duration of the racefest, which starts off tomorrow marking the official celebration of the annual Fil-American Friendship Day.

"The holding of the 1st Fil-Am Friendship racefest is certainly an opportune occasion for us to recall the valuable contribution of our American allies in popularizing the sport of horse racing at the turn of the century by democratizing horse ownership and by allowing public betting in the sports," Reyno said.