Heaven Sent heads Triple Crown second leg cast

MANILA, Philippines - The second leg of local racing’s Triple Crown Series promises to be another exciting race among the best three-year-olds in the land with Heaven Sent seeking a second straight win when the second leg is held June at the Santa Ana Park in Cavite.

Heaven Sent scored a stunning upset over the fancied field in the first leg, scoring a wire-to-wire victory even as the sponsoring Philippine Racing Commission released the nominated entries in the 1,800-meter event to be held at the Santa Ana Park.

Seven tough and tested gallopers, led by first leg winner Heaven Sent, are in the list vying for the total prize of P3-million donated by Philracom. Rita Pilapil’s filly, which fashioned out a wire-to-wire victory in first leg last May 17, is expected to be the slight favorite but experts believe that the six other contenders are all capable of pulling off surprises.

The other six nominees include: Hermie Esguerra’s Blue Ocean and Eternal Flame; Nathaniel Velasco’s Dream Supreme; Bienvenido Niles’ Iconic, Alexander Chua’s Mr. Diamond; and also Rita Pilapil’s other entry Lively Dude.

The champion will be going home with the top prize of P1.8-million while the runner-up picks up P675,000, third P375,000, while the fourth salvages P150,000. The breeder of the winning horse gets a bonus of P100,000.

In the P1-million Hopeful Stakes, the nominated entries include: C & H Enterprises’ Action Sailor, Juanito Ilano & Son’s Blue Seal, Aristeo Puyat’s Boudica, Hermie Esguerra’s Chief Of Staff and Go Navy, Benjamin Abalos Jr.’s Henry Sugar, Alchy Enterprises Co.’s Princess Jacklyn, and Felipe Vergara’s Sinagtala.

This 1,800-meter race, which serves as a supporting race for the main one, is also open to all 3-year-olds and carries a total prize of P1-million. The winner receives the top prize of P600,000 while the runner picks up P225,000, third P125,000, and fourth P50,000.

The Philippine Racing Commission also sponsors another major stakes during the day which is the Philracom 2-Year-Old Open which carries a total prize of P500,000. The winner receives the top prize of P300,000 while the runnerup picks up P112,500, third P62,500, and fourth P25,000.

The nominated entries here include newcomers such as: Big Apo, Brother Barack, Carriedo, Che And Ryan, Ice Storm, Market Value, Mr. Panamao, Replacement, Speed Spell, Summit Dancer, Taste of Paradise, Woodsy Ribbon, at You Belong To Me.

The 14th staging of the Fist Gentleman Silver Cup will also be held on the same day at the same racetrack.