K Paloma bucks odds, tops 2nd leg

MANILA, Philippines - Longshot Kukurukuku Paloma beat five others to rule the second leg of the Juvenile Fillies Series at the Metroturf in Malvar, Batangas last Sunday.

Kukurukuku Paloma came out of nowhere then charged past the fading leaders led by first leg winner Marinx at the top of the stretch and won by some two lengths in the 1,200-meter race among two-year-olds.            

Ridden by veteran Val Dilema, owned by businessman-lawyer Narciso Morales and trained by Fred Abobo, Kukurukuku Paloma sold only a few thousands pesos in the popular daily double betting with fans thinking the horse was not yet up to the task.

They were wrong.

“She ran a good race. The jockey handled her so well and her trainer did his assignment,” said Morales. “The stable prepared her excellently in this race.”

Another longshot, Priceless Joy, finished second while Marinx came in third.