CABO Negro and Speedmatic shared the spotlight in the 3rd leg of the Philippine Racing Commission’s (Philracom’s) Juvenile Colts/Phillies Stakes Races on Sunday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
Both Cabo Negro and Speedmatic fashioned out convincing wins in the 1,500-meter Juvenile Stakes Races offering a combined P4 million in prizes from the sponsoring Philracom.
Ridden by multi-titled jockey John Alvin Guce, Cabo Negro extended the winning spree of owner SC Stockfarm as he fended off the late charge of Joseph Dyhengco’s Goldsmith, guided by Pat Dilema, to register a two-length win that was worth P1,200,000 in the Colts’ race.
“Ang bilin sa akin sakto lang ang pagbitaw, hayun naman po, nagawa ko naman. Paglabas puwesto lang, na-threaten na kaunti kay Goldsmith, pero pagdating ng half mile, kinuha ko na,” said Guce.
Goldsmith settled for P450,000 as runner-up, while third- and fourth- placer The Barrister and No Regret pocketed P250,000 and P100,000 for respective owners Daniel Tan and Ruben Dimacuha.
Cabo Negro’s trainer Chito Santos, who represented SC Stockfarm’s Oliver Velasquez in the awards rites, received P70,000 as Breeder’s Purse. Philracom Commissioner Victor Tantoco and Manila Jockey Club’s Racing Manager Jose Ramon Magboo awarded the prizes and trophies to the winners.
In the Fillies’ race, Speedmatic had a more dominant win that was likewise worth P1,200,000 for owner Hermie Esguerra.
Veteran jockey Dilema reboundWed from his runner-up finish in the Colts’ race with a masterful ride atop Speedmatic, who measured the field three-fourths of the way, before unleashing a terrific burst of speed in the straight to leave her rivals eating her dust for the five-length win.
“Maganda naman ang alis, kaya tinuloy ko na. Nakiramdam ako, wala pa ang mga kalaban ko, kaya naghintay na lang ako ng rekta, doon tinodo ko na,” said Dilema.
Disyembre Sais of owner Alfredo Santos received P450,000 as runner-up, with Luis Aguila’s Lourdes Drive and Francisco Babon Jr.’s Xia’s Best taking P250,000 and P100,000, respectively as third and fourth placers.
Dewey N. Santos received P70,000 as winning breeder of Speedmatic.
Following the Juvenile Colts/Phillies Stakes Races, the Philracom braces for another big racing extravaganza featuring the Philippine Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Organization, Inc. (Philtobo) this weekend.