W Blown fancied in Prieto Cup race

Ranged against a lean field he had dominated in the past, Wind Blown is heavily favored to run away with the guaranteed top purse of P300,000 in the 24th staging of the 1867 Founders’ Cup, now known as the "Prieto Cup," which fires off today at San Lazaro.

The talented four-year-old bay colt owned by Hermie Esguerra is coming off an impressive victory in the First Gentleman Silver Cup where he outclassed this year’s Triple Crown hopeful Silver Story.

Set to challenge Wind Blown in the highlight 1,900-meter track encounter are some of the more seasoned stakes campaigners in the country including last year’s champion older horse Gold Edition, stakes winner Materiales Fuertes, stakes race veteran Super Sharp, proven handicap campaigner Master Ijhay and the speedster Project Genesis.

Being a handicap event, Wind Blown is set to carry top weight of 58 kgs., giving away 4 kgs. to the next highest rated entry in the field. — R. Romualdez