Philracom stakes races up

MANILA, Philippines - Formidable stable mates Carriedo and Azcarraga go for a repeat performance today as they set out to score follow up victories in their respective divisions in the 2009 Philracom second leg “Juvenile Colts” and Juvenile Fillies” Stakes Races at the Saddles and Clubs Leisure Park.

Coming off decisive wins in the opening legs of the “2YO Philracom Stakes Series,” Carriedo and Azcarraga are expected to stamp their class in the 1,300-meter races.

Owned and bred by Herminio Esguerra, the two classy two-year-olds will be facing separate rivals in their bid to duplicate Go Army and Nuclear Power’s sweep of last year’s “Juvenile Series.”

Meanwhile, 12 top class imports clash in the 2009 Philracom “Sapphire Stakes”, the sixth and final leg of the 2009 Imported/Local Challenge Series over 1,800 meters.

Touted as a wide open affair for the premier spot, the P.5 million race will pit fast-rising track stars Miss Abby Kat (USA), Mooney Money (USA) and Indys (Aus) against multiple stakes winning Lim Expensive Toys (Aus) and seasoned stakes campaigners Tiwi Magic (Aus) and Traditional (Aus) in a preview of the 2009 Open Championship.

Big finishing Traditional narrowly lost to longshot Weder Weder Lang (USA) in the fifth leg, as top pick Indys lost steam in the final stretch after engaging veteran Ziraz (Aus) in a speed duel in the early stages of the 1,900-meter track encounter.

The second leg of the Philracom “Juvenile Colts” and “Juvenile Fillies” Stakes carry a prize of P1.5-million each, with the winner running away with a guaranteed purse of P900,000.

Challenging Carriedo in the colt’s division are recent PCSO Special Maiden race winner Fuerte Materiale, Just Awesome, stakes winning stable mate Lealtad, Manchester, Quinn’s Quest, Sutter’s Best, Thotis Best and Yes Pogi.

Expected to give Azcarraga a run for the top money are Ice Storm, Mt. Panamao, My Sweet Leonora, Perfect Material, Sail Street, Speed Spell, Tiger Moon and Top Dame.