Ibarra top pick but sailing will be rough

MANILA, Philippines - Former horse of the year Ibarra takes off as overwhelming favorite when he battles five others this afternoon in the 15th staging of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office-First Gentleman’s Silver Cup at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Back in the hands of veteran Jesse Guce, Ibarra will go for his second big title in the season when he meets dangerous Go Army, Alamid, Shining Fame, Ididitmyway, and Hieroglyphics in the 2000-meter race won last year by 2009 top galloper Don Enrico.

 More than a month ago, Ibarra, whose biggest claim to fame was winning the first two legs of the 2007 Triple Crown, topped the rich Commissioner’s Cup against four others led by Don Enrico as he started to make up for a very disappointing campaign last year.

But pundits believe Ibarra may find the going tough because of the presence of Go Army, a 3-year-old colt who won every big event as a juvenile in 2008 before a leg injury forced him out of the Triple Crown series last year.

 Go Army easily won a regular race two weeks ago, something that made experts to believe that   the pride and joy of businessman Hermie Esguerra is ready for the big stage again.

In his last big race, Ibarra, by Yonaguska out of Fire Down Under, was a joy to watch. He led from start to finish, beating Hieroglyphics by almost five lengths in the Commissioner’s Cup in March as he successfully defended the title he also ruled with amazing ease last year.

Ibarra actually started his 2010 stint on a forgettable note as he lost to longshot Tiwi Magic, who shot past him in the closing strides to win the Philippine Racing Commission’s Amethyst 2 by a head last February.

The champion gets P1.1 million, with the runner-up and third place taking home P350,000 and P175,000, respectively.      

The entries and their respective handicap weights, jockeys and owners:

1.Alamid, 55 kgs, AR Villegas (Jade Bros Farms) 2.Ididitmyway, 56 kgs., RG Fernandez ( Joseph Dyhengco) 3. Shining Fame, 55.5 kgs., JA Guce (Tony Tan Jr.) 4. Hieroglyphics, 55.5 kgs, KB Abobo (Eduardo Gonzales) 5. Ibarra, 56 kgs., JB Guce (Mayor Benhur Abalos) 6. Go Army, 55 kgs., JT Zarate (Hermie Esguerra).