Responding splendidly to jockey RC Baldonido’s urging, Don Exequiel drove past fading Tigres in Action and Sutter’s Royal at the far turn, built a four-to-five length lead as he swung for home before coasting to a three-length victory worth P600,000 for owner Hermie Esguerra.
Top pick Special Edition failed to flash her vaunted stretch-run ability and was even edged for second place by another unfancied bet, King’s Dominion, who took the P225,000 prize. Special Edition settled for third and P125,000.
Don Exequiel sold only a little over P20,000 in a nine-horse field. - R. Romualdez