Manila, Philippines - Fourteen horses will dispute the third and final jewel of the Triple Crown series tomorrow at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite, the largest ever to dispute a major, prize-rich stakes race in a long time.
First-leg winner Hari ng Yambo and second-leg titlist Magna Carta are expected again to start as the hottest favorites in the 2,000-meter event offering P1.8 million to the champion, P675,000 to the runner-up and P375,000 to the third placer.
Rounding out the cast are Arvin Dugo, Barkley, Cheese Mosa, Constatic, Finest Mateerial, High Voltage, Just For Keeps, Lord of War, Maker’s Marks, Smart Guru, Tensile Strength and the Rock.
Another big event in the 13-race program is the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Cup, which will also features a long line of popular horses disputing a pot money amounting to P300,000.
The twin stakes races are sponsored by the Philippine Racing Commission headed by Atty. Jose Ferdinand Rojas lll, who is expected to lead racing officials gracing the afternoon races.
As a far fourth pick in a field of six horses, Hari Ng Yambo easily won the 1,600-meter first leg under veteran Rodeo Fernandez at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in May only to bomb out in the 1,750-m second leg ruled by the Jesse Guce-ridden Magna Carta a month later.
Among the other bidders, it’s Cheese Mosa and Lord of War who are expected to provide the stiffest challenge owing to their impressive performances in previous outings.
Handled by Pattie Dilema, Cheese Mosa won the Hopeful Stakes race over 1,800 meters last month, beating eight others with a time of 1 minute, 50 seconds, which was faster than the 1:50.4 posted by Magna Carta in ruling the second jewel.
Deserving a second look is Lord of War, who lost to Magna Carta by just half-a-length in the previous leg in a brave, memorable run for one who set out in the race carrying only a few thousands in the daily double betting.
Meanwhile, PSA president Teddyvic Melendres of the Inquirer said the PSA is grateful that the “Philracom has again extended a helping hand to the sportswriters” by sponsoring the PSA Cup for the second straight year.
“On behalf of the more than 80 association members, I would like to thank Philracom headed by Atty. Rojas for becoming a partner again in this event,” said Melendres.