Spectrum zips to easy 5-length victory

Top favorite Spectrum roared away from an outclassed field in the final 400 meters under Dan Camanero Sunday to rule the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s 2-Year-Old maiden stakes at Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.

The son of imported sire Golden Pharaoh out of Celestial Chase left the field struggling in his wake in the final two furlongs to win the P1-million competition by five lengths over far third favorite Killer Hook.

Clocking a respectable 1:14.6 in the 1,200-meter race, Spectrum installed himself as one of the horses to watch in the coming Juvenile Championship Series, which starts next month.

That series gives horseracing fans the chance to see young chargers who have a great chance in the Triple Crown next year.

“I just hope he stays healthy,” said owner Narciso Morales, a lawyer-businessman who was chosen by the Philippine Racing Commission as the Most Reputable Horseowner last year.

“I tip my hat off to my team for preparing Spectrum well.”

Total Defiance, the second choice, finished 10 lengths behind the winner.

It was a relative breeze for Spectrum, trained by the veteran Arturo Sordan, as Camanero didn’t see the need to apply the whip after zooming out front after the first 200 meters.

The first big juvenile race is scheduled on Aug. 30 and how Spectrum fares in that series will more or less give Morales an idea of how the colt will do in the Triple Crown next year. Steve Silva, Contributor