PROSPERITY and jockey Mark Angelo Alvarez made it a prosperous Christmas for owner Leonardo Javier Jr. after winning the P2.5 Million Philippine Racing Commission’s 2017 Philracom Juvenile Championship on Sunday at the Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park in Naic, Cavite.
Making a tactical ride three-fourths of the way, Prosperity made its move in the final 400 meters, bursting into the finish from the outside against the fading bunch to score a four-length victory in the 1,600-meter race.
The win was worth P1.5 million for owner Javier, who was represented by trainer Renato Yamco in the awards rites attended by Philippine Racing Club Manager Antonio Alcasid and Philracom Commissioner Lyndon Guce. Yamco received P75,000 as breeder’s prize.
“Ang plano po talaga, magkainitan muna sila, hindi ako sumama. Noong magkaroon ng konting butas, naipasok ko kabayo ko, dire-diretso ko na. Mga one fourth to go, medyo malayo sa akin ‘yung bandera, pero alam ko, kalkulado ko, aabutan ko,” said Alvarez, whose horse scored a winning time of 1:41, with quarter times of 25, 24, 24 and 27.
Victorious Colt, ridden by JB Guce, gifted owner Efleda dela Cruz the second-place purse of P562,500, while Sweet Dreams of jockey DH Borbe Jr. placed third, good for P312,500 for owner Alfredo R. Santos. Fourth placer Goldsmith (jockey OP Cortez) clinched P125,000 for owner Joseph Dyhengco.
Other winners were Wo Wo Duck (Race 1), Worth the Wait (Race 2), Temecula (Race 3), Kota Kinabalu (Race 5), Love Affair (Race 6), Amazing Day (Race 7), Bliss (Race 8), Creme Brule (Race 9), Kingship (Race 10) and June Three (Race 11).
All 11 races held on Christmas eve at the Santa Ana Park were conducted in accordance with the Philracom’s Rating-Based Handicapping System, which is a result of the commission’s affiliation with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, whose mission is to promote good regulation and best practices on international matters pertaining to the sport.
As a member of IFHA, Philracom is ready to embrace the world standards set by the international body, such as the rating-based handicapping system, equine drug-testing and transfer of technology, thereby making sure that horseracing in the Philippines is held at the highest level.
“It’s Christmas eve, but fans still came in droves. Judging from the way racing fans embraced this race and past races since we introduced our rating-based handicapping system, we believe we can continue the surge in patronage,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez.