Cashing in on Silver Story’s bad start and a bruised hoof that forced the Triple Crown champion to withdraw in a recent stakes race, Batangas Entry hardly found a challenge as he led from start to finish to win pulling away in 1:32.5 over the 1,500-meter event.
The stirring victory by the three-year-old bay colt by Piker out of Because Milady gave owner Paolo Mendoza the P300,000 purse which many racing fans had thought to be a shoo-in for the Silver Story camp.
But the grey galloper, who swept this year’s Triple Crown series but was forced to withdraw in the recent TAB Philippines stakes that would have pitted him against fancied Wind Blown, was indeed off-form as he broke out last in a lean five-horse field, trailing speedster Batangas Entry by some 10 lengths right in the first 200 meters.
Silver Story, who sold over P1 million, was later suspended due to limping.
Earlier, Golden Ballet lived up to her hype as the best two-year-old filly in the land today as she dominated the Juvenile Fillies Championship for her third stakes victory in four starts.
Golden Ballet turned in an impressive 1:33.5 clocking over the 1,500-meter event, coasting to a six-length victory over Rosewood with Art of Rose, Windlass and Security Risk finishing in that order.
Outstanding favorite Mighty Strong went through anxious moments before nipping Baccarat at the wire and winning the Juvenile Colts Championship, while veteran stakes race campaigner Ilocandia Slew pulled off the other reversal by winning the Fillies Championship, beating outstanding favorite Kitty Hawk, who settled for third behind longshot Tumataginting. — Ramon Romualdez