OUTSIDER Divine Eagle, ridden by an equally underrated rider in Mark Alvarez, nipped Hot and Spicy by a nose yesterday to rule the P3 million first leg of the Triple Crown championship at the new Metro Turf race track in Malvar, Batangas.
The colt by Tempestuous Wind out of Rose Bud caught up with the pacesetting Hot and Spicy, under Jeff Zarate, in the final bend and outkicked them at the wire in an impressive 1 minute 36.8 seconds (24’, 22’, 23’, 26’) for the mile.
Hot and Spicy was a clear three lengths ahead of the pack after the far turn but Divine Eagle reeled him in in the straight.
The win was worth P1.8 million for the connections of Divine Eagle, who now has a chance to become just the 11th horse to sweep the prestigious series.
Hagdang Bato won all three races last season under Jonathan Hernandez.
Haring Benedict and Captain Ball, another pair of longshots, finished third and fourth, respectively, even as Big Leb, also owned by Silver Story owner Patrick Uy, topped the P1-million Hopeful Stakes.
Jessie Guce steered Big Leb, who held off Daragang Magayon by a length to win the P600,000 champion’s prize.
Daragang Magayon, an entry from the popular Hermie Esguerra stables, settled for the P225,000 runner-up purse with Jazz Connection checking in third.
Top officials of the sponsoring Philracom, led by chair Jun Lopez Castano, Jr. and Metro Turf officials led by SVP Rudy Prado and assistant racing manager Arthur Escala awarded the trophies.