Special Edition heads elite field in Lakambini stakes race

Triple Crown second leg winner Special Edition will try to clinch this year’s filly division title as she heads an impressive field vying for the 2006 Philracom "Lakambini" Stakes today at the Santa Ana Park.

Carrying a total prize of P1 million, the event showcases the best three-year-old fillies in the country over a distance of 1,800 meters.

Special Edition, winner of this year’s J.V. Ongpin Cup, the second leg of the 2006 Triple Crown, answers the starting gun as the favorite, coming off an impressive big win two weeks ago at the same track under new rider Manolito Daquis.

Bred, owned and trained by brothers Val and Coco Cayco, Special Edition is the first foal of celebrated champion race mare Gold Edition and was sired by Conquistarose (USA).

Expected to provide stiff opposition for the premier spot is perennial division nemesis Jet Sutter, Raymund Puyat’s prized filly which finished second to Special Edition in the second leg of the Triple Crown and in two other featured juvenile stakes races last year.

The Gil Pansoy-trained galloper is sired by hot stallion Mr. Sutter out of Cluny and was bred by businessman-sportsman Aristeo Puyat. Jet Sutter comes into the race fresh from a come-from-behind victory under jockey Jesse Guce last Aug. 12 at the Santa Ana Park.

Also joining the hunt for the P600,000 top prize are six classy fillies, including Joseph Dyhengco’s Business Class (With Class-Actus), Hermie Esguerra’s Cash Feeder (Self Feeder-Cash on Delivery) and Sound of Silence (El Raggaas-Stylish Celine), Philipps Agricultural Farm’s Hundred Reason (Hezagonewest-Watagan Way), Manny Atienza’s Mes Monique (Mr. Sutter-Light Hill) and Romeo Hernandez‚ Rebecca’s Magic (Account of Grace-Wire to Wire).

Second to fourth placers will also receive P225,000, P125,000 and P50,000, respectively, while the breeder of the winning entry will also receive a P60,000 breeder’s purse. - R. Romualdez