Jaguar rules 3rd leg of Triple Crown

TOP favorite Jaguar cruised home to victory in taking the Third Leg of the P3.5-million 2023 Philracom Triple Crown Series at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas.

Amid the cheers of the crowd who flocked to the track braving the rains last Sunday, the Dance City out of Delta Gold progeny owned by Cong. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Macapagal Arroyo and bred by Joseph Dyhengco crushed the opposition strolling to a seven-length triumph taking with him the P2.1-million top prize.

Trained by former jockey Dante Salazar and masterfully ridden by Jeffril T. Zarate, the chestnut colt nicely settled in fourth at the start while a pace war was happening up front between Secretary, Istulen Ola and Boat Buying.

That is, until the half-mile pole where Zarate asked his mount for run since nemesis La Trouppei (Brigand out of Betty H) under equally-capable Kelvin Abobo on the irons was making his move for the lead.

A short-lived battle between the two rivals ensued which got the crowd more excited,  but Jaguar had too much horse left in him for the stretch run leaving the rest of the field in his dust.

Early Boating, Istulen Ola and La Trouppei rounded out the top four finishers.

The time recorded for the testing 2000 meter distance went at 2:05 with quarters of 24-23-26-24-28.

In a post race interview, Zarate said, “Nung naramdaman at narinig ko na si La Trouppei sa likuran ko sa medya-milya, dahan-dahan na rin ako nagpapalakas. Pero at that point alam ko na lamang na ako kasi hindi naman niya laro yun eh.”

Saturday’s action saw Prime Billing (Top Billing- Subprime) owned and bred by DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos tow the field almost from wire-to-wire in winning the third installment of the P1.5-million 2023 Philracom Hopeful Stakes.

Second went to the fast approaching Chrome Bell while Winner Parade and Glamour Girle grabbed third and fourth honors, respectively.

Prime Billing stopped the clock at 2:06.8 over the 2000m distance with fractions of 24′-23′-25-25-27′.

Meanwhile, John Oliver Gianan’s Sky Story (Charge Now-Hookkaida) had to contend with the stubborn stance of lightly favored Light Bearer through most of the race in bagging the third edition of the P1-million 2023 Philracom 3YO Locally-Bred Stakes.

Light Bearer managed to eke out a second place finish while Open Billing took third and Orange Bell clinched fourth place. Time of race was 2:06.4 (25-25′-24′-24-27).

“It was another great weekend of racing considering it was raining and yet the racing public still flocked to the track and their favorite OTB’s. This is highlighted by the more than P86-million in sales over the last four racing days,” Chairman Reli de Leon of the Philracom said.

De Leon furthers, “Congratulations to the winning connections of Jaguar, Prime Billing and Sky Story for winning their respective events.”