Dream Play cops Marangal stakes plum

Dream Play saved her best for last yesterday, besting seven other foreign-bred charges for the P300,000 top prize in the Marangal Stakes Race at the San Lazaro Hippodrome.

The four-year-old filly owned by Bienvenido Niles, Jr. stalked early leaders Sheba’s Dream and Cat’s Bells in the early part of the 1,425-meter race before pouring on the heat in the homestretch.

"May tulin ang kabayo pero kapag isinabak mo sa harapan ay baka maubusan," said winning jockey Elpidio S. Aguila after guiding Dream Play to victory with a time of 1:29.5 (12'-24-25'-27).

The New Zealand-bred galloper overtook Cat’s Bells entering the homestretch and had to fend off a late but spirited charge by Jade Louise to win by barely a length.

Jade Louise, bred in Australia, wound up second for P100,000 while Cat’s Bell, also bred in Australia, came in third for P50,000. Baby Lite was fourth in the eight-horse field. — Ramon Romualdez