Secret Affair, Temecula rule Cool Summer races

MANILA, Philippines -  Classy filly Secret Affair finally revealed her championship form while promising colt Temecula continued to amaze as both horses flattened the stellar field in the recent running of the twin-bill Cool Summer Farm 3YO Sire and Produce Stakes Races at the San Lazaro Leisure Park (SLLP) in Carmona, Cavite.

Sent off as third choice in the featured race for horses sired by Cool Summer Farm stallions, the smooth-striding Secret Affair steadily picked up the pace rounding the far turn before unleashing her big move at the top of the stretch to easily outrun front running Brilliance and Biglang Buhos to win pulling away in 1:44.2 over 1,600-meters.

Expertly ridden by jockey Jesse Guce, the three-year-old bay filly is from the second foal crop of US-bred Cool Summer Farm stallion Lydgate (by Pulpit) out of former imported stakes campaigner Sound Offer (AUS) by Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch (USA). She picked up the top purse of P500,000 for the winning effort for owner and breeder Antonio “Tony” Tan Jr. and trainer Rolando Cariaga.

Unheralded Greatwall rallied from the back of the pack to snatch second spot from the speed dueling Biglang Buhos and Brilliance, which settled for third and fourth.

“Cool Summer Farm thanks the owners and breeders who have invested in our thoroughbred produce and have supported our stallions for the past years. Their continuing support and patronage encourages us to continually improve our bloodstock and provide them with all the opportunity to own runners of exceptional pedigree and enormous championship potential,” said Cool Summer Farm’s owner, Joseph “Joey” Dyhengco.

Meanwhile, racing newcomer Temecula did not disappoint his backers as he posted a scintillating follow-up victory in the Cool Summer Farm 3YO Produce Stakes to remain unbeaten in just his second official start against seven other Cool Summer Farm-bred campaigners.

An island-born bay colt by Japan-based stallion Majestic Warrior (by A.P. Indy) out of the mare Stormy Season (USA) by the great Storm Cat (USA), Temecula rallied from third spot down the stretch and effortlessly outpaced speedball Pagkakataon to win by a comfortable margin in 1:36.6 over 1,500 meters.

Purchased as a yearling by Stony Road Horse Farm from Cool Summer Farm, the handsome dark bay charger is being trained by veteran conditioner Anthony Francisco and was ridden to victory by jockey Arnold  Asuncion. The victory was worth P300,000 for the connections of Temecula led by Makati City Councilor Ferdinand “Ferdie” Eusebio.