Wind Blown braces for title in Regally Open

Wind Blown, the most dominant racehorse in the country last year, goes back to work today when he sees action in the Regally Open stakes race offering a top prize of P300,000 at the San Lazaro Hippodrome.

The Hermie Esguerra-owned galloper, who recorded more than P8 million in prize earnings last year, is favored to rule the 1,900-meter race. Out to crowd PSA Horse of the Year awardee are Charlemagne, Desert Deb and Santa Ana Park.

It will be the first race for the five-year-old charger since he won the Philracom Open Championship last Dec. 29 at the Sta. Ana Park. Less than two weeks before that race, Wind Blown topped the Presidential Gold Cup — a victory worth P1.5 million.

It was the second straight win by Wind Blown in the Presidential race being held yearly to honor the country’s Chief Executive. Others who have won it two in a row were Fair and Square (1981-82), Sun Dancer (1989-90) and Bulldozer (1996-97).

The last time Wind Blown lost a race was to Sun City during the Imported EFG last April at San Lazaro.

Runner-up in today’s race will take home P112,500, third place P62,500 and fourth place P25,000. — Ramon Romualdez