MANILA, Philippines — Kennedy Morales’ Boss Emong proved that he is still the horse to beat in the older category by ruling the Philracom A.P. Reyes Memorial Race honoring the former president of the Philippine Racing Club at th e Metroturf race track in Malvar, Batangas last Sunday.
Sent off as the second choice in the six-horse field, the grey seven-year-old by Dance City out of Chica Una, trained by Ernesto “Boy Gare” Roxas and bred by Joseph Dyhengco went wire to wire and kept the opposition at bay in the 1800m journey despite having a 57kg handicap weight.
There was never a threat to his pacesetting time of 1:52 with quarters of 13’-23’-23’-24-27’ for the distance. Second placing went to Don Julio and third was Jungkook in the race named after one of the founders and former chairman of the Asian Racing Conference, Dr. Aurelio P. Reyes.
“I was able to dictate the pace the whole time, that’s why he still had a lot of horse in him when we crossed the finish line,” said winning jockey Kelvin Abobo.
Present during the awarding rites were Dr. Reyes’ son and grandson, Carlitos, and Charlie “Cha” Reyes.
In the 2023 Philracom Imported Maiden Stakes, top pick Pharaoh’s Treasure (American Pharoah out of Namurian Sunset) was the clear winner by three lengths with Daily Burn came a little too late.