Real Spicy, Speed Advantage duel in Chairman’s Cup

Local horse racing’s most anticipated track showdown finally takes place today at the San Ana Park as 2004 Juvenile (2YO) champion Real Spicy squares off with hot division rival Speed Advantage in the scheduled running of the P1-million Philracom "Chairman’s Cup."

Today’s event marking the 31st anniversary of the Philracom is held in honor of incumbent PCSO chair Sergio Valencia and will showcase no less than 11 of the country’s top three-year-old campaigners in what is regarded as a preview of the 2005 Triple Crown Series.

Early Triple Crown favorite Real Spicy will stake his claim as the best galloper in his division by facing a crack field of challengers over 1,600-meters–the same distance as the first leg of the coveted Triple Crown (the Cojuangco Cup) set May 22, also at the Santa Ana Park.

Fresh from a big win in his comeback start, Real Spicy, by US champion galloper Real Quiet out of Spicy Tale, will be facing the formidable challenge of Speed Advantage (Royal Premiere–Trudy Capote), a horse that recently posted his 10th straight victory in the first leg of the Philracom "Road to Triple Crown" Series.

Real Spicy will race under the banner of the dominant Hermie Esguerra Racing Stable and will be partnered by the country’s premier jockey Patricio "Patty" Dilema, while Speed Advantage from the Bobby Yutadco Stable will be ridden by Class A journeyman Antonio "Oyet " Alcasid Jr. — R. Romualdez