TRIPLE Crown champion Hagdang Bato tries to add another feather to his cap on Sunday when he sets off as the heavy favorite in the centerpiece Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. Cup of the Marho Ruby Racing Festival at San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
With regular rider Jonathan B. Hernandez, Hagdang Bato tries to extend his mastery of import Crucis in the 2,000-meter race also featuring locals My Champ and Strong Champion.
Lady Pegasus and King Samer are the other imports in the compact field, which highlights the 40th anniversary of the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners, which had Cojuangco as its first chair.
A total of six derbies will be staged Sunday with a total pot of P6 million. The other events are the San Miguel Corp. Ruby Classic, the SMC Colt Mile, the PCSO Ruby Filly Mile, the Philracom Ruby Juvenile Colts and Ruby Juvenile Fillies and the Manila Jockey Club Sprint.
Hagdang Bato, who beat Crucis soundly in their only meeting earlier this year, will come into the big race very sharp, according to owner Benhur Abalos, the Mandaluyong mayor.
The other races on the weekend’s cards are trophy races with prizes of P140,000 each.
Trophy race sponsors: Andok’s Corp., Esicor, Ciara Marie Foundation, Transprint Corp., Hygain Feeds, Enchanted Kingdom, Shelltex Bed, Uratex Foam, Mandaue Foam, Fiberfill Manufacturing, Jade Bros. Freight International Inc., Paris Match Farm, Cool Summer Farm, Columbian Autocar, Siomai House, and Manila Horsepower.