Speed O’War overruns upstarts in ‘Road to TC’

Top favorite Speed O’War dominated a badly-outclassed field of local racing’s upcoming track stars when he ruled the first leg of the "Road to Triple Crown" Stakes race in a wire-to-wire fashion yesterday at the Santa Ana Park.

Not even the early pressure from Shock and Awe could slow down the quick-stepping Speed O’War, who simply outpaced Nothing to Declare’s coupled entry at the far turn en route to posting a runaway victory in 1:42.4 over 1,600 meters. The Triple Crown hopeful by Strong Material out of Conquistador Quest had quartertimes of 23’-26-24-29.

Jockey Virgilio Camañero Jr. hardly used the whip in steering his mount to the win worth a guaranteed purse of P450,000 for the Yutadco stables as Speed O’War galloped home unopposed by straight margin.

Batangas Force came in second and grabbed the P168,750 purse while Nothing to Declare settled for third worth P93,750 for owner Hermie Esguerra.

Earlier, Mica’s Magic scored a stirring come-from-behind victory in the "Nourish The Children" Stakes Race, a 1,600-meter event and racing fundraiser being held for the benefit of the Feed The Children (FTC) charity foundation.

Coming out of nowhere, Mica’s Magic nipped Material Maker and Ariba King at the wire to bag the top P240,000 purse for the Mantilla family.

The proceeds of the event will be used by the FTC, through its local affiliate FTC Philippines, Inc. in providing food, clothing, educational supplies and other necessities to children and communities in depressed areas. — Ramon Romualdez