The noted stayer, whose rally in the first leg of the Triple Crown series fizzled out in a traffic down the stretch, fought back from the very last of the 10-horse field to post an emphatic six-length victory over Jet Sutter and rule the second leg of the event at Santa Ana yesterday.
Jockey Dominador Borbe made up for his failed bid in the Cojuangco Cup with a brilliant ride, steering his mount from as far behind as 15 lengths in the early going of the race to the winner’s podium worth P1.2 million for owner Valentino Cayco.
Unlike in the first leg, the bunch of horses in front of her didn’t stand in the way of Special Edition with the 1,800-meter journey proving to be her liking as she even went four, five-wide to mount her rally. She clocked 1.54.4.
By the time they made the last turn, the battle was for the runner-up honors as Special Edition darted past Jet Sutter with hardly a whip, sped to five-six lengths down the stretch before Borbe raised his arm in glee while tapping his mount’s neck as they crossed the wire. — Dante Navarro