Sta. Ana ends 2007 with New Year’s eve stakes race

In a fitting sendoff to the year 2007, six of the finest gallopers in the country are set to vie for the coveted title as “best of the best” as they compete in the Grand Championship of the Santa Ana Park Stakes Series today, New Year’s eve, at the Santa Ana Park.

 The race promises to be a classic showdown of the top contenders in the open handicap class headlined by local track champion Real Spicy, fresh from a huge rebound victory last week over arch rival Native Land, and new import sensation Drama Belle (AUS), winner of the P4-million Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. Cup.

Only two of the five previous leg winners of the 2007 Santa Ana Park Stakes Series – surprise first leg winner Irene’s Fantasy (USA) and impressive fifth leg conqueror Copper Dew (USA) – will bid for the championship crown in the 1,800-meter race.

Two other accomplished gallopers, including former champion Wild Orchid (AUS) and the ultra-consistent Fairy Queen (AUS), complete the elite field in the P500,000 race.

Fresh from ruling last week’s P1million Philracom Yearend Invitational over 1,600 meters, five-year-old Real Spicy hopes to score another big win under jockey Jeffril Zarate to possibly strengthen his claim for championship honors.

Overshadowed for much of the year by other rising three-year-olds like Es Twenty Six and Ibarra as well as celebrated juvenile stable mate Indelible Ink, Real Spicy will have to step up and produce a more decisive performance to deserve the Horse of the Year award.

Four-year-old filly Drama Belle (AUS), meanwhile, has to prove that her victory last month in the ECJ Cup was no fluke as she returns to action with retiring jockey Armando Lumagui on the saddle. A win for Drama Belle secures her the best import tag.

Emerging as the most credible threat for the premier spot is three-year-old US-bred filly Copper Dew, a noted sprinter which recently reset the track record for 1,600 meters at Santa Ana.

Although likely to encounter stiff opposition at the onset from Wild Orchid (AUS), competing as a couple entry to Real Spicy, Copper Dew has so far been unstoppable when allowed to dictate the pace.

Her biggest challenge may well be the 1,800-meter race distance.