Batangas Entry clinches Drilon Cup over Lyonnais

Batangas Entry, gearing up for another exciting showdown against the celebrated Wind Blown, led from start to finish yesterday to rule the first Senate President Cup before a cheering crowd at the San Lazaro Hippodrome.

Batangas Entry, one of the best four-year-olds in local horseracing, dictated the tempo of the 1,900-meter race en route to a three-length victory over second favorite Lyonnais. Master Ijhay was third followed by Charlemagne and Santa Ana Park.

The victory was worth P600,000 for Batangas Entry co-owners Paolo Mendoza, the Sta. Lucia Realty cager, and Dioceldo Sy, the PBL chairman. Lyonnais won P225,000, Master Ijhay P125,000 and Charlemagne P50,000.

Shortly after the race held in honor of Senate President Franklin Drilon, Mendoza and Sy declared their readiness to field Batangas Entry against Wind Blown in next week’s First Gentleman’s Silver Cup at Sta. Ana Park.

"We’re not saying that we’re going to beat Wind Blown but we’ll give them a good fight," said Mendoza after the race where Batangas Entry posted a winning time of two minutes flat with quartertimes of 16'-24'-25-25-29.

During the Philracom Open last December 29 at Sta. Ana Park, Batangas Entry came close to beating Wind Blown, the PSA Horse of the Year for 2001 who has recorded a total of P12 million in prize earnings for owner Hermie Esguerra.

Sharing the day’s honors with Batangas Entry was longshot Gemstone, who pulled off a stunning victory over top favorites Ilocandia Slew and Hazmoore in the San Miguel Beer Cup. The victory was worth P300,000. - Ramon Romualdez