Hagdang Bato takes Triple C first leg; I'll Have Another on track in US

MANILA, Philippines - Hagdang Bato outduelled Humble Riches in a neck-and-neck battle then fended off a rallying Steel Creation to rule the first leg of local version’s Triple Crown at Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite yesterday.

The win was worth P1.8 million for owner Ben Abalos Jr. and lined up Hagdang Bato for a possible sweep of local racing’s premier racing event.

Hagdang Bato pressed Humble Riches early on in the one-mile race as the country’s leading three-year-olds slugged it out in a thrilling battle for the lead, leaving behind the rest of the six-team field.

But after JB Hernandez urged his mount for more as they made the final turn, Hagdang Bato surged past Humble Riches with Steel Creation falling half-a-length short of pulling off what could’ve been a big upset.

Still, Steel Creation took the P675,000 runner-up prize while Humble Riches settled for third worth P375,000.

In Baltimore, I’ll Have Another had Bodemeister in his sights again, a shot at the Triple Crown hanging in the balance.

Two weeks ago, he ran down his rival and won the Kentucky Derby. This time, the chestnut colt needed to be even more relentless to win the Preakness.

Jockey Mario Gutierrez asked for more at the top of the stretch, and I’ll Have Another closed the gap with each stride, finally surging past Bodemeister a few yards from the wire.

Next up: New York and the Belmont Stakes in three weeks and a chance to join the company of Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed, who was the last to win thoroughbred racing’s most coveted prize in 1978.

That’s heady company for a colt who has yet to be favored in any of his seven races. That should change in the Belmont.

‘’We’re thinking Triple Crown, baby,’’ winning trainer Doug O’Neill said. ‘’He’s a special horse. We’ll see how he comes out of it, and if he comes out of it in good shape, we’re heading to New York, baby.’’ –With AP report