A BIG SHOWDOWN among 11 top class imports and locals takes place this afternoon at the Sta. Ana Park in the P500,000 Philracom “Pearl I” Stakes, the 3rd leg of the 2008 Imported/Local Challenge Race Series.

Led by the US-bred Copper Dew, holder of the local track record for the 1,600-meter distance, the Philracom “Pearl I” is set over 1,800-meters and carries a guaranteed top prize of P300,000 for the winner.

Copper Dew will be guided by regular rider Jonathan Hernandez and is likely to encounter serious challenge from Aussie-bred Sweet Xarah, a game second last week to Real Spicy in the European Union Cup, and big finishing La Tienne, an Australian multiple stakes winner.

Two local bets, Manhattan and Mr. Victory, round out the field of starters for the Philracom-sponsored weight-for-age event, originally scheduled at another track until its last minute transfer to Sta. Ana Park last Wednesday.

Cooper Dew is coming off three straight wire-to-wire victories since the start of the year but has not raced farther that 1,500-meters. The Kentucky, USA-bred race mare by top class sire Stravinsky out of Copper Eyes is owned by businessman Jose Mari Franco and trained by Ruben Clor.