Press Releases

INDELIBLE INK RULES SAMPAGUITA CROWN

October 19, 2008

The wining connections of Indelible Ink (right photo) (owner-Hermie Esguerra, trainer-Nestor E. Manaleng, jockey-Jonathan B. Hernandez) hoist their trophies after winning the recently concluded 2008 Philracom Sampaguita Stakes Race at the San Lazaro Leisure & Business Park in Carmona, Cavite. The win was worth P720,000.00. Others in lefdt photo are (l-r): MJC Exec. Vice Pres. Atty. King G. Reyno III; Philracom chair Atty. Joy A. Rojas II; Philracom Exec. Director Jorge G. Neccesito and the Sampaguita Stakes Muses.

Far second favorite Indelible Ink won the Sampaguita Stakes race at the head of a big, dominant charge by horses belonging to the Hermie Esguerra stable yesterday in the seventh KJub Don Juan de Manila Racing Festival at the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park here.

With ace jockey Jonathan Hernandez guiding her magnificently, Indelible Ink left out standing choice and last year’s horse of the year Es Twenty Six struggling in her wake as they turned for home to win overpoweringly and cap a rewarding day for Team Esguerra on a fine Sunday afternoon.

A runaway whiner of the Lakambini stakes event a few weeks ago also under Hernandez, Indelible Ink finished some 10 lengths in front of Es Twenty Six, who could no longer deliver when jockey Jesse Guce asked her for more the moment “Ink” started to pass her going into the final 400 meters.

The daughter of Best of Luck and Seaquin who amazed the fans as a two-year-old last year during which she won seven big ones, clocked 1 minute and 59.8 seconds for the 1900-meter race that also featured the overmatched Pearl Buck (Dominador Borbe), Victorian Stones (Pat Dilema) and Treasured Act (John Cordero) who came in third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

The win was worth P720,000 for Indelible Ink, who let Es Twenty Six do the pacing up to the mid-backstretch where she pulled even as Es Twenty Six began showing signs of weakening.

About 250 meters later, Indelible Ink and Hernandez started to go for the kill.

Two promising two-year-olds started the ball rolling for the Esguerra stable by winning the Juveniles stakes races as outstanding favorites.

Guided by Patti Dilema, Nuclear Power pulled away from longshot Heaven Sent (RG Fernandez) in the final 150 meters to win the 1400-meter Juvenile Fillies by some four lengths with a time of 1 minute and 27 seconds (12; 24; 24-1/2 and 26-112).

An hour later, Go Army, ridden by Hernan dez, went gate-to-wire as he humbled coupled entry Go Marines (Manolito Daquiz) and High Tower (John Alvin Guce) in the 1400-m Colts race disputed by only three entries.

A strong prospect for the 2009 Triple Crown, Go Army clocked a faster time of 1:26 (12-1/2; 23-1/2; 24; 26) and finished five lengths in front of Go Marines, who shadowed him for about 200 meters before fading back as they left the first turn.

Co Army stayed unbeaten in six career starts while Nuclear Power raised her record to four straight wins in as many starts as they continued to dazzle hi their sex and age while delivering P300,000 each to the Esguerra stable as prizes.

“My team should be commended for prepar ing our horses very well on this special racingday. I am glad we didn’t disappoint our fans,” said Esguerra, calling from a five-star hotel where he attended a wedding as sponsor.

“We are also preparing our other horses for the next big ones like the Ambassador Cojuangco Cup and Presidential Gold Cup,” ‘ added Esguerra, who easily went richer by more than a million following the runner-up finish worth P112,000 of Go Marines in the Juvenile Colts race. I

It was Indelible Ink’s first competitive race since winning the Lakambini stakes on August 24 at the same track. But the 56-day layoff didn’t matter to the young, lovely filly who sold only P205,412 out of the total pot of P866,943 as against the P625,506 of Es Twenty Six.

Indelible Ink clinched her 17th triumph in 23 starts as she continued to deliver the goods for Esguerra the way stablemates Wind Blown, Wild Orchid and Real Spicy did in their times.

A longshot shared the spotlight as fifth pick Holy Ridge, handled by Louie Balboa, nipped Lim Expensive Toy (John Alvin Guce) and Shining Fame (JB Guce) to win the Don Juan Derby and the P882,000 prize that went it.

DON JUAN, SAMPAGUITA STAKES AT SLLBP SLATED

October 10, 2008

This month’s worth watching racing attraction at the San Lazaro Leisure & Business Park (SLLBP) in Carmona, Cavite is the P1.2 million Sampaguita Stakes Race sponsored by the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) and the Klub Don Juan De Manila Derby races on Sunday, October 19, 2008 hosted by the Manila Jockey Club (MJC).

In the Sampaguita Stakes Race, the principal protagonists for the P720,000 top prize are Philippine Derby winner Es Twenty Six and 1^st leg of this year’s Triple Crown series winner and last year’s juvenile champion Indelible Ink over a distance of 1,900 meters.

Racing experts are picking Es Twenty Six having been tuning up aggressively for this event over Indelible Ink who has been idle for the past several weeks.

Others joining the chase for top position include Flavorofthemonth, Golden Connection, Pearl Buck Treeasured Ack and Victorian Stone.

The runner up will take home P270,000, while the 3^rd and 4^th finishers will get P150,000 and P50,000, respectively. The breeder of the winning horse gets P50,000.

“I wish to invite the bayang karerista to come to SLLBP or to any nearest OTB and witness the quality races for the week prepared for all of you. I would like to thank Philracom headed by its chairman Atty. Ferdinand A. Rojas II for their continued support to MJC, to the officers and members of the Klub Don Juan De Manila headed by Jun Almeda and to the racing fans for their continued patronage of our racing programs,” said MJC chairman and president Atty. Alfonso R. Reyno, Jr.

Meanwhile, this year’s edition of the Don Juan Derby offers a whopping total of P1.5 million in the 2,000-meter race that will feature the country’s best 3-year-old imported and local colts.

Other major stakes races – the Philracom-sponsored Juvenile Colts and Juvenile Fillies Champio0nships, the Don Antonio Floirendo Golden Girls Stakes and the Herma Farms & Stud-sponsored Mr. Sutter Cup – are also lined up for Sunday’s racing festivities.



2008 PHILRACOM 2ND LEG JUVENILE COLTS & FILLIES STAKES SERIES



2008 2nd LEG JUVENILE FILLIES WINNER.  the winning connections of winning horse Nuclear Power
hoist their trophies after their victory in the recently concluded 2008 Philracom Juvenile Colts

and Fillies Championship Series at the San Lazaro Leisure & Business Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Nuclear Power is owned by Hermie Esguerra, trained by Nestor E. Manalang and ridden by
Pati R. Dilema.  Others in Photo are (l-r): MJC director Martin R. Cepeda, MJC Chairman & President

Alfonso R. Reyno, Jr., Philracom chairman Ferdinand A. Rojas-II, Columnists Julie Yap-Daza and

Neil Cruz of Samahang Plaridel.

Nuclear Power, Go Army rule juvenile races
September 21, 2008 - Carmona, Cavite

Stablemates Go Army and Nudear Power swept the second Juvenile stakes races yesterday in
similar wire-to-wire fashions with the former clinching the colts division and the latter ruling the fillies
side at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmóna, Cavite yesterday.

Go Army, sent out as the outstanding favorite, proved too:
much for his six rivals in the 1,500- meter race, bucking the challenge by far second choice
Batangas Baron from the half-mile post and into the far turn en route to posting a six- length
victory in the colts category worth P600,000.

The son of the famous Mr. Sutter out of j’Approve, handled by ace jockey JB Hernandez, clocked
1.34 with fraction times of 18-1/2; 24-1/ 2; 24-1/2 and 26-1/2.

It was Go Army’s fifth straight win in a career that began on May 25 where he won a maiden race over
900 meters under his erstwhile partner Jeifril Zarate.

Earlier, Nuclear Power won the rich event in only her second outing, winning as a far second choice,
seven lengths clear of Love You By Heart in the fillies side of the event, hiking owner Hermie Esguerra’s
winning to P1.2 million in the day.

With Pat Dilema on top, Nuclear Power showed his sprinting ability by surging to the lead as the
gates swung open then flashed his staying power to win in 1.34.5. Nuclear Power’s coupled entry
French Vanilla, the runnerup in the kickoff leg last month, was scratched after sustaining, an injury
during a workout earlier in the week

First leg champ and top pick Security World finished dismal fifth behind Mind Music and Maimpok.
It was the second straight win for Nuclear Power, who debuted only two weeks ago by beating 12 others
in a 1400-meter race under Dilema at the same track.

Real Spicy real hot

Smooth sailing for hot, hot Real Spicy

SHOWING TOP form, Real Spicy found little problem carrying a heavy handicap weight over a back-breaking distance to rip a classy field and win the 13th First Gentleman Silver Cup yesterday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Carrying 59 kilograms, the son of Real Quiet out of Spicy Tale ran a smooth race under Jeffryl Zarate, peeling away from a badly outclassed Native Land in a duel going into the final 300 meters to win by two lengths.

It was the second Silver Cup win for the seven-year-old super horse and the fourth for owner Hermie Esguerra, whose legendary Wind Blown also won the event twice in a storied career that ended earlier in the decade.

‘We’re on track in our preparations for the other big races toward the end of the yea Esguerra said. “Our plan is to keep [Spicy] running, at least for this year We have the Gold Cup and the Open Classic in sight.”

Real Spicy who went undefeated in 14 starts last year docked two minutes and 7.6 seconds over the 2,000-meter race. His time was broken down in 24’, 24’, 26’, 25 and 27.

The win was worth P1.1 million for Esguerra, whose filly, Indelible Ink, will be gunning for the second jewel of the Triple Crown series against colts Shining Fame and Don Enrico this Sunday at the other track.

Real Spicy also moved closer toward eclipsing the all-time earnings mark of P19 million by Wind Blown.

It was the first Silver Cup for the flamboyant Zarate, who wheeled the winner into contention after passing the judges stand for the first time before asking for the juice entering the final 600 meters.

“He is really in great shape,” Zarate said of Real Spicy in Filipino. “Our only worry going into the race was the handi cap weight. But I knew that we had it won going into the homestretch because my mount didn’t show signs that he was bothered by my weight.

Real Spicy passed the fading Vivere and Bumble Bee at the far turn with ease before encountering some challenge from the second pick Native Land and Jessie B. Guce rounding the final bend.

Manhattan, the small chestnut horse under Patty Dilema, rallied from second to last in the seven-horse field to finish third while El Terrible, Real Spicy’s couple under veteran Manolito Daquis, checked in fourth.

Ace jockey Jeffryl Zarate receives his winning trophy from PCSO Chairman Sergio O. Valencia
after guiding super horse Real Spicy (right photo) to victory worth P1.1 million.

Indelible Ink leaves mark, bags 1st Triple Crown jewel

Indelible Ink guided by Jeffryl Zarate (number 3) hold off Shining Fame in spirited duel at the home stretch beating the the later by a neck that made owner sportsman Hermie Esguerra P1.8 million richer.

The winning connections of 1st Triple Crown Jewel winner Indelible Ink led by owner Hermie Esguerra, trainer Nestor Manalang and ace jockey Jeffryl Zarate as they hoist their trophies in the awarding rites before a big, appreciative crowd at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite. Others in photo are (left to right): Philracom commissioner Reynaldo G. Fernando, Manila Jockey Club chairman and chief executive officer Atty. Alfonso R. Reyno, Jr., Philracom chairman Atty. Ferdinand M. Rojas II, Manila Jockey Club director Martin R. Cepeda.

May 18, 2008

Indelible Ink, handled by Jeifryl Zarate, left a permanent imprint on the face of Triple Crown racing this year by ruling the first leg — the Ambassador Danding Cojuangco Cup — at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

The thrilling down-the-wire finish expected between Indelible Ink and top rival Don Enrico never materialized as Shining Fame stepped into the picture and nearly wrecked it all by finishing a close second to the Hermie Esguerra champion.

Don Enrico, coaxed by Jonathan Hernandez, set a punishing pace from the starting gate and paid the price after it disastrously faded in the dosing meters, finishing a distant third and losing for the first time in five starts this season.

A furious rally by Shining Fame and jockey Jessie Guce— which ended in a photo finish — provided the spark at the homestretch as Indelible Ink narrowly pulled off the win that could make her the first filly to snare all three jewels since Sun Dancer in 1989.

With the thunderous hooves of Shining Fame reverberating behind them, Zarate urged Indelible Ink to draw from her reserves to leave Don Enrico good and cooked behind them, and Shining Fame straining in vain. A slight favorite over Don Enrico with sales of 670,259 out of the total daily double amount of 1,322,738, Indelible Ink magnificently rose to the occasion, completing a breathtaking pursuit of the lightning colt in the 1,500-meter race.

And when the situation called for strength-sapping resilience at the homestretch, Indelible Ink, again, was up to the challenge.

Indelible Ink clocked 1:39 for the mile, broken down in 23’, 23’, 24’, and 27’, the same numbers produced by the long shot Shining Fame.

Silver Story was the last Triple Crown champion in 2001.

Indelible Ink won P1.8 million, raising her winnings to over P25 million.

RESPONDING under the whip and a sustained hand-ride in the stretch from jock ey Jeffryl Zarate, Indelible Ink yes terday won the first jewel of the 2008 Triple Crown series by a neck before a roaring gallery at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Indelible Ink took the lead from a torrid-starting Don Enrico, handled by Jonathan Hernandez, as the field left the far turn before turning back a strong finish by Shining Fame under Jessie Guce to win out in the photo.

“I just felt the stomps dosing in,” according to Zarate in Filipino. At that time, it entered my mind that there was a possibility that I could still lose the race. I just asked her to give it her all.”

Sent off as the slight first pick over Don Efirico with sales of P670,259 out of the total daily double handle of P1,322,738, Indelible Ink flashed her best when the situation demanded it.

True to form, Don Enrico dominated the start of the 1,600-meter race but Zarate kept the winner within striking distance despite the dizzying speed of the colt, who gobbled up the first 800 meters in 47 seconds.

And during the run for home when horses of lesser character would have folded up, Indelible Ink and Zarate put on a show that elicited a rousing applause afterwards..

Indelible Ink docked 1 minute 39 seconds for the mile, broken down in 23’, 23’, 24’ and 27, the same time turned in by the long shot Shining Fame, also a colt, who definitely won’t be overlooked by the bettors come the longer second leg next month.

Owner Hermie Esguerra, who won a TC leg for the third time after Magical Mark (3rd leg 2002) and Don Exequiel (1st leg 2006), paid tribute to Zarate for a superb ride. ‘That pace (of Don Enrico) made a wild finish possible.”

There has never been a Triple Crown sweep since Silver Story pulled off the sweet feat in 2001 and only on filly, the enigmatic Sun Dancer, was able to pock et all three jewels in the 31-year history of the, Philippine Racing Commission’s top event, doing it 19 years ago.

The win was worth P1.8 million as Indelible Ink upped her season gross to just over P2.5 million to overtake Don Enrico in top spot of that category.

Don Enrico lost for the first time in five starts this year

Don Enrico Indelible Ink

DON Enrico and Indelible Ink clash anew in a keenly awaited duel between two of the country’s top three-year-olds as they banner the compact field vying in the first leg of this year’s Triple Crown on May 18, 2008 in the action-packed 12-race card at the San Lazaro Leisure Park (SLLP) in Carmona, Cavite.

Six 3-year-old runners were entered and set to collide in the 1,600-meter race which carries a total pot money of P3.0 million sponsored by the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom).

“We are honored to host this big racing event, the first Leg of the Triple Crown Stakes Series, especially that it will participated in by the country’s top 3-year-old gallopers. I wish to thank the Philracom headed by Chairman Ferdinand A. Rojas II for sponsoring the event. Also to the horse owners who supported this affair by fielding in their best 3-year-old runners and to the “bayang karerista” for their continued support and patronage to the racing program of the SLLP,” said MJCI chairman and CEO Alfonso R. Reyno, Jr.

Leading the cast for the P1.8 million top prize is multi-winner 3-year-old runner Don Enrico, (Winner of the P1.2 million 2008 Philracom Chairman's Cup and the Philracom Aquamarine I) owned by Wi Lee Uy and trained by AC Sordan, Jr.

Expected to exact revenge and do a come back bid is the Hermie Esguerra-owned filly Indelible Ink after she was beaten by Don Enrico in two faceoffs at the same track.

Others vying for the top post are Raymund Puyat’s Hieroglyphics, Esguerra’s Queen Elena, Antonio Tan Jr.’s Shining Fame and Mario Tan’s Unopposed.

The runner-up will take home P675,000.00, third placer gets P375,000.00 and fourth placer takes P150,000.00. The breeder of the wining horse gets P100,000.00.

A horse that could sweep the three major jewels shall receive a bonus prize of P500,000.

Lending support to this grand event is another Philracom-sponsored 2008 Hopeful Stakes Race where nine entries will fight it out for the top prize of P600,000 for the 1,600-meter distance. They are Angel Dugo, Anonymous, Arithmetic, Bohemian Dave, Champion of Show, Don Alejandro, Love Story, Luna Rossa and Makisig.

The runner up will get P225,000, while the 3^rd and 4^th placers get P125,000 and P50,000, respectively. The breeder of the winning horse gets P30,000.

TOP three-year-old gallopers are set to meet again on Sunday, April 6, 2008, when the gates open for the “Diamond-I” stakes race, one of the 2008 Philracom-sponsored birthstone races at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Among the six declared entries, Don Enrico is expected to lord it over the stellar cast of protagonists for the top prize of P300,000 set over a distance of 1,600 meters.

Others in the list of declared runners are Edward Tan’s Euromax, Eduardo Dimacuha’s Love Story, Alberto Calaquian’s Prime Zone, Nicomedes Cruz’s Prying Eyes and Antonio Tan, Jr.’s Shining Fame.

Don Enrico’s arch rival Indelible Ink was not yet declared to run in this event.

The runner up will get P112,500.00; P62,500.00 goes to the third finisher and P26,000.00 for the fourth placer. The breeder of the winning horse will receive P15,000.

“The Commission is honored to sponsor this event for our top three-year-old horses to prepare themselves for the grand event, the Triple Crown Stakes Races,” said Philracom chair Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II.

For his part, MJCI Chairman and CEO Alfonso R. Reyno, Jr. said “We take pride in hosting the 2008 Philracom Diamond-I stakes race. I would like to invite the entire “bayang karerista” to witness this event and once again watch the showdown of the country’s top 3-year-old gallopers. I wish to thank the Philracom headed by Chairman Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II for sponsoring this event to be held at the country’s premiere race track, the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.”

Meanwhile, the San Lazaro Leisure Park will be the venue of the P3.0-million Ist Leg of the Triple Crown Stakes Race and the P1.0-million Hopeful stakes Race, both scheduled on May 18, 2008.

Top Photo (left) Don Enrico with John Alvin Guce on top during thte parade of entries and (right photo) his winning form after crossing the finish line in 1 minute and 39.8 seconds leaving behind rivals Imperial Ballet and Indelible Ink (2^nd and 3^rd, respectively). Above photo shows jockey John Alvin Guce as he receives his trophy from MJC chairman and CEO Atty. Alfonso R. Reyno, Jr. for his superb handling of Don Enrico making it two in a row over Indelible Ink to bag the Philracom Aquamarine-I stakes race at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite. Looking on are (from left) Carmona Mayor Roy Loyola, Philracom OIC chairman Atty. Joy Rojas-II and Dr. Romy Buencamino and traner AC Sordan, Jr. (left back row) and Guce’s children.

Don Enrico made it two in a row over Indelible Ink, fashioning out another masterful win with another superb handling from jockey John Alvin Guce to top the Philracom Aquamarine I stakes race yesterday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite

Unlike in last month’s Chairman’s Cup where he had to yield the front to the quick- starting Security Queen before making his move at the far turn, Don Enrico this time set the pace from the start in the absence of a speedster in the eight-horse field.

That hardly mattered as Guce flashed another excellent riding skills, keeping his mount away from the rail throughout the one-mile race before thwarting Indelible Ink’s bid inside to deliver another P300,000 to the Lee stable.

What made the victory doubly impressive was Don Enrico, who won P1.2 million in surprising Indelible Ink last month, also at San Lazaro, had to whisk off not one but two rivals, the other being Imperial Ballet, who tried to rally from the Outside to no avail.

Don Enrico, whom Guce said loves to run when he is pressed, clocked 1:39.8 over the 1600-meter distance, turning in quartertimes of 24-23’-24’-27’.

The chestnut colt jumped out of the gates hard under John Alvin Guce and stayed in front for good to bag his second straight major win, the Aquamarine Stakes, over a befuddled field that included bright Triple Crown prospect Indelible Ink.

Don Enrico zoomed ahead by as many as three lengths, clocking an impressive 1 minute and 39.8 seconds with quarter times of 24, 23’, 24’ and 27’ for the mile over a hard San Lazaro Leisure Park track.

The victory affirmed an earlier Don Enrico conquest of Indelible Ink, who went on to lose second place to Imperial Ballet with Jonathan Hernandez on board.

The son of former super horse Wind Blown out of Kayumanggi, Don Enrico did not get that much respect from the bettors as he was sent off as the far second choice behind Indelible Ink despite winning the Chairman’s Cup over the same filly two weeks ago.

But Don Enrico showed who’s the boss early on, setting a frenetic pace and settling down in front before responding under Guce’s whip in the final 400 meters to win by two lengths over the longshot Imperial Ballet.

The absence of another speedball also made things easier for Don Enrico, unlike in the Chairman’s Cup when he had to contend with a faster-starting Security Queen.

Indelible Ink actually pulled abreast of Don Enrico when the field passed the backstretch. But the winner of a handful of Juvenile Stakes races last year never got the chance to grab the lead and immediately fell a length behind again when they rounded the final bend.

The win will also undoubtedly make Don Enrico as one of the favorites for the coming Triple Crown series, which many thought would become the play ground of Indelible Ink after humbling basically the same field last year as a two-year-old.

Don Enrico’s third career win in six starts was worth P300,000 for owner Lorraine Uy Wi, while Imperial Ballet salvaged P112,500. Indelible Ink settled for P62, 500. Fourth was Shining Fame under Ronald Baldonido, while Balabushka (Jessie Guce), Anonymous (Cesar Tamano), Unopposed (John Paul Guce) and Pandemonium (Kelvin Abobo) rounded out the order of finish.

The longer the distance, the better for Don Enrico?
Yup, he proved it yesterday afternoon.

Showing he’s got the genes of his famous father, Don Enrico showed he could do well even in a long race by beating seven fellow Triple Crown hopefuls led by Indelible Ink and Imperial Ballet to win the Philracom Aquamarine Stakes 1 at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Don Enrico, a son of Wind Blown, a great galloper of his time, led from start to finish under the young John Alvin Guce in capturing the one-mile (1600 meters) event that served as one of the prep races for the Triple Crown series kicking off this May.

And he proved that his victory over outstanding favorite Indelible Ink in the bigger, richer Chairman’s Cup two Sundays ago was no fluke as second pick Don Enrico came home a clear winner this time, checking in a length-and-a-half in front of the Jonathan Hernandez-guided Imperial Ballet.

Well, the 2007 undisputed juvenile champion who set out as heavy favorite with sales of more than P800,000 of the total sales of P1.2 million could only land third in a fleld of eight as she took her first back-to-back losses in 15 career starts.

She was a virtual goner with about 150 meters to go, unable to gain ground on Don Enrico while taking the inside rail in another letdown for this island born runner whom pundits say could be the next Triple Crown champion.

With Don Enrico showing he’s a tough nut to crack when setting the pace, and Imperial Ballet improving with every race, Indelible Ink may not be able to get the same big respect from fans every time she runs when the three gallopers meet again.

And everyone is saying now that unless Indelible Ink improves in the next two months, she’ll find it hard to beat Don Enrico and Imperial Ballet in the TC series which starts with a one- mile race on the last Sunday of May.

Trained by Arturo Sordan Jr for Loraine Wi IJy, Don Enrico clinched his fifth stakes title, while raising his lifetime record to nine victories in 11 races in a career that began with a runaway maiden division win against eight others over 900 meters on Sept. 22 at the other track.

Not only that, the daughter of former stakes campaigner Kayumanggi stayed undefeated in three outings so far this Don Enrico’s winning time was a fast one for a 3-year-old. He covered the distance in 1 minute and 39.8 seconds with quarter clockings of 24, 23-1/2; 24-112 and 27-1/2, the best by any horse so far since the start of the season.

Shining Fame (R. Baldonido), Balabushkn (Jesse Guce), Anonymous (C. Tamano), Unopposed (John Guce) and Pandemonium (Kelvin Abobo) checked home fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively, in the race reserved for 3-year-olds and which staked P500,000 in prizes, including P300,000 to the champ.

Indelible Ink, who lost to Don Enrico by a nose in the Chairman’s Cup, made a go of it leaving the half-mile post and entering the far turn.

But the best she could do was moved within half-a-length off Don Enrico, after trailing by as much as two lengths as the field moved out of the first turn and into the backstretch.

Even if the race was a few seconds old, it was very clear that anyone from among Don Enrico, Indelible Ink and Imperial Ballet would make it.

Entering the final turn for home, Don Enrico was bravely protecting the front, with Zarate doing the best she could while guiding Indelible Ink through the inside rail. Imperial Ballet was close behind, running three- wide.

Then Don Enrico slowly moved out of harm’s way going into the final 150 meters, taking a 1-1/2-length lead as Guce continued applying the whip.

A stayer who placed third in the Chairman’s Cup, Imperial Ballet caught Indelible Ink in the closing strides and eventually beat her by a head to reward owner Jun Almeda the runner- up prize of P112,500.

INDELIBLE INK EYES REVENGE TODAY IN AQUAMARINE-I STAKES RACE
March 9, 2008

Indelible Ink will try to exact revenge to Don Enrico when they face each other today in the Philracom-sponsored “Aquamarine-I” Stakes Race at the San Lazaro Leisure Park (SLLP) in Carmona, Cavite.

In their Chairman’s Cup showdown also at SLLP on February 24, 2008, the three-year-old bay colt by former superhorse Wind Blown out of Kayumanggi ridden by JA GUce surged ahead in the backstretch denying Indelible Ink and Jeffryl Zarate the rail and stayed in front the rest of the way finishing 1:32 for the P1.2 million top prize. Indelible Ink came in second.

Will it be a repeat for the new darling of the crowd Don Enrico or vengeance will be for the bright Triple Crown prospect Indelible Ink when they meet again this afternoon for the top prize of P300,000.00 set at 1,600-meter distance?

Others joining the ramble for the top prize include Esguerra’s couple entry Anonymous (CB Tamano), Aristeo Puyat’s Balabushka (VR Delima), Jun Almeda’s Imperial Ballet (JB Hernandez), Francis Trillana’s Pandemonium (KB Abobo), Antonio Tan’s Shining Fame (PR Delima) and Ricardo Jun Paman’s Unopposed (JPA Guce).

The 2^ndfinisher gets P112,500 while the 3^rd and 4^th placers take home P62,500 and P25,000, respectively. The breeder of the winning horse gets P15,000.

“We are happy to host another stakes race for 3-year-old runners, the Philracom Aquamarine-I Stakes Race at the San Lazaro Leisure Park. This race is the last blockbuster event Manila Jockey Club will offer the “bayang karerista” as the first quarter ends. I wish to thank the Philracom for having the SLLP the venue for this exciting event,” according to MJC Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Atty. Alfonso R. Reyno, Jr.

MJC is also scheduled to host high-prized races for the coming months which include the Diamond-I, another event for 3-year-old runners, which carries a total pot money of P500,000 set on April 6 while the 1^st Leg of the “Triple Crown Stakes Race” which carries a total pot money of P3 million is scheduled to run on May 18, 2008.

Meanwhile, racing will now be held from Mondays to Sundays until May 2008 which started on Mar 3, 2008 at SLLP.

2008 PHILRACOM CHAIRMAN'S CUP

Don Enrico with jockey John Alvin Guce after capturing the
1,500-meter 2008 Philracom Chairman's Cup in 1 minute and 32 seconds.