Ibarra-Go Army duel looms in Silver Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Multi-titled Ibarra and comebacking Go Army brace for a showdown for the top P1.1 million in the 15th Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office-First Gentleman’s Silver Cup which fires off Sunday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park.

Ibarra, to be handled again by jockey of the year Jesse Guce, is tipped to emerge the top favorite in the long 2000-meter race owing to his runaway victory in the equally prestigious Commissioner’s Cup last month.

But it’s not going to be easy for the horse of Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos as Go Army, the former juvenile standout who is returning from a minor leg injury, sets out as the chief challenger for top honors in the blue-ribbon event. Four other tested campaigners – Alamid, Ididitmyway, Shining Fame and Hieroglyphics – round out the field in the afternoon race that also offers P350,000 and P175,000 to the runner-up and third placer, respectively.

Ibarra is one of the few dominant horses to grace the racing scene in the last five years. He is best remembered for winning the first two legs of the 2007 Triple Crown before a leg injury kept him out of the third jewel, spoiling his bid to become the first horse in a long time to sweep the series.

In his last big race, Ibarra, setting out as a far second favorite, humbled Hieroglyphics, reigning horse of the year Don Enrico and Shining Fame in the Commissioner’s Cup disputed over 1900 meters at the same track last March 13.

Expertly handled by Guce, Ibarra led all the way and finished some four lengths clear of third choice Hieroglyphics as he got back on track after a disappointing stint in the Amethyst II last February at the Santa Ana Park.

In the Amethyst II race, Ibarra moved ahead by as many as seven lengths and was well on the way to pulling it off against outstanding pick Don Enrico and four others until longshot Tiwi Magic overtook him in the closing strides. He lost by half-a-length as a far second favorite.