MANILA, Philippines – Slight favorite Yes Pogi rallied from the back of the pack to beat longshot Righthererightnow by two lengths and capture the Presidential Gold Cup crown at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite yesterday.
The three-year-old son of Rum Tum Tiger out of Belle Epoque responded to the superb handling of jockey Manolito Daquis and swept past his rivals in the final stretch to rule the 38th staging of the annual event and deliver the top P1.5 million purse to owner F. Lim.
He timed two minutes and 8.8 seconds over the 2,000-meter race with fraction times of 24’, 23, 26, 26’ and 28’.
Righthererightnow took the runner-up honors worth P500,000 while Go Army struggled to finish third and took P250,000.
Meanwhile, far fifth choice Headline Chaser also came from behind to triumph in the Philippine Sportswriters Cup 2 Stakes later in the day.
The three-year-old chestnut colt by Heza Gone West out of Lightlively, ridden by Ferdinand Raquel, found an opening in the middle just when a closely-bunched pack headed for the final straight.
Headline Chaser then came up with a strong finishing kick and caught Ma’am Mika and KE Malapara in the final stretch to win by more than two lengths worth P180,000.
May Bukas Pa came in third, while top pick Money Queen wound up fourth.
Headline Chaser clocked 1-minute, 44.5 seconds for the one-mile race.