Questions raised over Triple Crown second leg

MANILA, Philippines — A ruling by the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) has reduced the field for the second leg of the Philippine Triple Crown, raising questions about how the race will proceed on June 14 at the Metroturf race track in Malvar, Batangas.

The Philracom Board voted 3-2 to deny an appeal for reconsideration filed on behalf of Everest, a contender that had been placed under indefinite suspension following an incident at the starting gate in the first leg. The decision effectively excludes the horse from participating in the 1,800-meter race.

Everest’s trainer, former jockey Renato “Egoy” Hipolito, criticized the regulator’s handling of the process. He noted that the horse had already passed its required barrier trial.

“Even though Philracom accepted our payment for the nomination and declaration of our horse, they excluded us from the drawing of lots before our appeal was even decided,” Hipolito said.

Other changes to the lineup followed. Everest’s owner withdrew an additional entry, Bermuda Triangle, while Black Eagle is expected to be scratched due to injury, leaving only three participants in first-leg winner Isa Bell and her stablemate Sultan Bell, and Gentle Dance.