Anybody’s race in Triple C first leg May 18

ELEVEN entries make up the strong field in the wide-open first leg of the Triple Crown series flagging off on May 18 at the MetroTurf track in Malvar, Batangas.

With Alta’s Finest and Pantukan out on injuries, entries from the Benhur Abalos and Hermie Esguerra stables banner the field in the P3-million race that offers P1.8 million to the winner.

But more than the whopping purse, the winner gets the chance to duplicate Hagdang Bato’s TC sweep last year.

Captain Ball will be Esguerra’s entry, while Abalos pins his hopes on El Libertador.

Champion thoroughbred Real Spicy’s offspring make their big-time racing debuts in the same race. Boss Jaden and Hot and Spicy are both tipped to contend with Boss Jaden hoping to take the momentum of a big juvenile career into the ranks of the three-year-olds.

Others in the field are Be Humble, Borj Khalifa, Divine Eagle, Grand Strikes Girl, Haring Benedict, Keep The Pledge and Spinning Ridge.

The race, set over the mile, rewards the runner-up P675,000 while the third and fourth placers get P375,000 and P150,000, respectively. The champion horse’s breeder will pocket P100,000.

The sponsoring Philippine Racing Commission will also present the

P1-million Hopeful Stakes, which is open to three-year-olds who are not entered in the first Triple Crown leg.

Fifteen colts and fillies are also nominated in this 1,600-meter race, which offers P600,000 to the winner.

The runner-up here receives P225,000 while the third and fourth placers get P125,000 and P50,000, respectively. The breeder of the winning horses will get a P30,000 bonus.  Musong R. Castillo