Sampaguita stakes race up at SCLP

MANILA, Philippines - Multiple stakes winning Heaven Sent tries to emulate Indelible Ink’s Lakambini-Sampaguita double last year as she takes on the biggest challenge of her stellar career in this afternoon’s 1,800-meter P1.5-million Philracom “Sampaguita” Stakes, lcal racing’s official distaff championship, set at the new Saddles and Clubs Leisure Park (SCLP) in Naic, Cavite.

Currently lording it over the money leader board, with winnings in excess of P5.5-million from seven victories in nine outings, the winner of this year’s first and third leg of the Triple Crown will step up to the open league as she faces seasoned stakes campaigners and proven race mares Es Twenty Six, Treasured Ack and Anonymous, as well as arch rival Nuclear Power.

A victory by Heaven Sent will secure her lock of this year’s filly and mare title and a possible consideration for Horse of the Year honors.

The quick-stepping gray filly by proven sire Heza Gone West (USA) out of Kiss and Run (USA) by Silver Deputy is owned by a syndicate of horse owners led by Rita Pilapil and is trained by Willy Fernandez.

Expected to provide the biggest test to Heaven Sent is Es Twenty Six, a proven stakes performer and the most accomplished performer in the field. The five-year-old race mare finished second to Indelible Ink in last year’s edition of the Sampaguita, which she hopes to finally rule this year.

Es Twenty Six, by Principality (USA) out of Play by Ear by Gut Feel (USA) actively competes in open group company against imported horses and runs under the colors of businessman Nery Sunga and is trained by Tony Bersalona.

Not to be overlooked are the chances of the three other contenders, Anonymous, Treasured Ack and Nuclear Power, all renowned stakes winners and stretch grinders who could benefit from a possible speed duel Heaven Sent and Es Twenty Six, likely scenario considering that both horses are known speedballs.

Winner of the race is guaranteed a purse of P900,000, with P337,500, P187,500 and P75,000 going to the second through fourth placers. The breeder of the winning horse will also pocket P60,000 in bonus money.