INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines--Multititled Don Enrico battles six veteran runners in the Classic race, main event of the prize-rich, week-long 35th Marho (Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners) Breeders Cup Sunday at the new Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.

Winner of seven stakes events under regular rider Fernando Racquel?the most by any horse 11 months into the season?Don Enrico is expected to set out as overwhelming favorite to win the P1.8 million, 2000-meter run and boost his claim as the strongest candidate for the horse of the year award.

Don Enrico, son of the great Wind Blown out of imported mare Kayumanggi, takes on Es Twenty Six, Ididitmyway, Tiger Would, Gypsy Grey, Shining Fame and Sword O?War in the biggest of the six marquee events highlighting a 13-race program starting at 2 p.m.

Expected to share the limelight in the racefest backed by San Miguel Corp. and the Philippine Racing Commission and organized by Marho headed by Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos are juveniles Carriedo and Gastambide and 2009 Triple Crown two-leg winner Heaven Sent.

Carriedo and Gastambide, the most dominant 2-year-olds at present who carry the colors of the popular Hermie Esguerra stable, make their bids in the 2-Year-Old Colts division while speedball Heaven Sent looks too tough to beat when she meets three others in the 3-Year-Old Fillies.

The entries:
Sprint (1,000 meters, P400,000): Minsk City, Million Dollar, Sutter's Royal, Tiger Song, Eternal Flame, EJ's Magic
2YO Fillies (1,300 meters, P900,000): Blonde Ambition, Redemption, Elusive Cat, Perfect Material, Speed Spell, Tiger Moon, Morayta, Andalucia, Moscow Ballet
2YO Colts (1,300 meters, P900,000): Yes Pogi, Thoti's Best, Real Winner, Pinakamagaling, Carriedo, Gastambide
3YO Fillies (1,600 meters, P900,000): Nuclear Power, Blue Ocean, Sutter Dee Night, Heaven Sent
3YO Colts (1,600 meters, P900,000): Creation, Boni's Gem, Lakay, Shadow Strafze, Oh Wacky, True Value, Dream Supreme, Lively Dude
Classic (2,000 meters, P1.8 million): Sword O'War, Ididitmyway, Don Enrico, Shining Fame, Es Twenty Six, Gypsy Grey, Tiger Would