Silver Story seeks sweep

Is Silver Story for real?

The answer will be known today as the celebrated gray galloper tries to become only the eighth horse in local racing history to win all three legs of the coveted Triple Crown championship at San Lazaro.

Eleven tough thoroughbreds, a lung-busting distance of 2,045 meters and an intriguing form stand in the way of Silver Story in his bid to make history as the newest Triple Crown champion.

Only seven other horses have so far completed the elusive racing grand slam and have gained the esteemed title of Triple Crown champion. The exclusive roster includes Fair And Square (1981), Skywalker (1983), Time Master (1987), Magic Showtime (1988), Sun Dancer (1989), Strong Material (1996) and Real Top (1999).

"Manila Jockey Club is indeed proud to host this momentous occasion when one of the best locally-bred racers in the land attempts to enter the record books and become one of the country’s all-time racing greats. Likewise, it is also an opportune occasion for us to pay tribute to Don Antonio Floirendo, a horseman of the highest order, in whose honor we are staging this year’s edition of the Horseman’s Cup," said Manila Jockey Club president Alfonso Reyno, Jr.

Silver Story fashioned out emphatic victories in the first two legs of the series, the "Cojuangco Cup" last May 20 and the J.V. Ongpin Cup last June 10, but his shocking loss to Sonata at Sta. Ana last week has left so much questions on his ability to win the Horseman's Cup and complete the sweep, he added.

Expected to put up strong bids for the P1.67-million championship are a number of Triple Crown returnees, including Ilocandia Slew, Staunch Ally, Kitty Hawk, Hammerhead, Gutmoore, El Duque and perennial runner-up Sky Hawk. Also in the fold are Lyonnais, Flaming Bullet, District Three and Hacker.

Winner of the Horseman’s Cup is set to receive a hefty added purse of P1-million, while the three other placers receive P375,000, P208,500 and P83,500, respectively from the Philippine Racing Commission.