Longshot rules Fillies stakes race

CARMONA, Cavite, Philippines  – Far fourth choice Indy’s Task, benefitting from a battle for the lead by two speedballs, came up with a huge run in the final 600 meters yesterday to rule the Klub Don Juan de Manila Juvenile Fillies Stakes at the San Lazaro Leisure Park here.

The Antonio Floirendo-owned chestnut under Patty Dilema watched patiently from third spot as Antoine D’Ugo and the fancied Hold The Bubbly wasted each other fighting for the lead, zooming out front at the backstretch to record one of the biggest wins of her young career.

Dimasalang challenged Indy’s Task’s furious finish but came up short, settling for second place about five lengths behind as rider Jonathan Hernandez failed to record a second straight win after having guided Lucky Touch to a wire-to-wire finish in the Hygain Feeds Trophy race.

Rosemary Blue came from the back of the lean, five-horse pack to salvage third spot under CV Garganta with Antoine D’Ugo, who was steered by Jeffryl Zarate, managing to hang on to fourth spot.

Hold The Bubbly, the Hold That Tiger-Wild Bubbles daughter who was the only imported charger in the field, brought up the rear in a truly disappointing outing under Jessie Guce.

Hold The Bubbly cornered 165,553 tickets out of the total daily double handle of 505,409, while the champion filly was sent off with sales of just over 88,000.

Indy’s Task, a homegrown offspring of Indy Minstrel out of Family Task, clocked 1-minute and 28.6 seconds, broken down in 12, 23’, 24’ and 28, for the 1,400-meter journey which was worth P300,000.

Though Indy’s Task’s time was way off the all-comer’s mark of 1:25 being held by former super filly Wild Orchid, her performance yesterday clearly established herself as one of the bets to watch for next year’s Triple Crown series.

Dimasalang, the Hermie Esguerra-owned offspring of Quaker Ridge out of Matinee Marvel, won P112,5000, while Rosemary Blue pocketed P62,500 for her connections.

The Juvenile Colts’ championship as well as the Golden Girls Stakes and the centerpiece Derby, where Yes Pogi and Carriedo will renew their Triple Crown rivalry, were still being run at press time.