Superbly handled by jockey Norberto Calingasan, Always Florence, the talented bay colt by Ricky P. out of Centerpiece, overcame a shaky start and engaged noted speedster Nuts Again in a neck-and-neck duel in the short 900-meter race.
He stormed ahead at the top of the stretch but Always Florence had to thwart the bid of top pick Bidang Bida to win the kickoff leg of the series for the country’s top two-year-old colts in 55 seconds.
There was actually an inquiry by the board of stewards on Always Florence start where he was said to have bumped Nuts Again as they jockeyed for position off the block. But his victory was upheld, giving the Jarcom Enterprises the top prize.
Bidang Bida settled for second worth P90,000 while coupled entries Nuts Again and Perfect Storm took the combined P70,000 purse for third and fourth placers.
Earlier, Master Ijhay pulled off a spectacular come-from-behind win in the TAB Philippines Cup, beating highly-fancied Staunch Ally and bagging the top purse of P60,000 for owner J. Iwata. – Ramon Romualdez