MANILA, Philippines - Don Enrico, the hottest, most successful horse at the moment, returns to the track this afternoon (Sunday, Dec. 6) to battle defending champion Ibarra and four others in the 37th Presidential Gold Cup at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
To be handled again by veteran Fernando Racquel Jr., the five-year-old son of the great Wind Blown out of Australian mare Kayumanggi is expected to start as outstanding favorite in the 2000-meter event as he goes for his ninth stakes title in the horse-racing season ending soon
A victory by Don Enrico would practically seal for the bay galloper of businesswoman Lorraine Uy Wi the much-sought horse of the year award.
Despite bombing out in his last big race, Ibarra remains a big threat to Don Enrico, who comes off a magnificent 25-length victory over six others in the MARHO Breeders Cup Classic last Sunday at the new Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite
Dream Supreme, Sword O’War, Dumadagundong and Shining Fame round out the starting cast in the PCSO-sponsored event considered as the most prestigious and the biggest in the local racing calendar.
Running this long route is nothing new for Don Enrico, who won the MARHO Classic over the same distance with a time of 2 minutes, 08.5 seconds as he beat Gypsy Grey by more than four seconds.
On the other hand, Ibarra returns carrying the memory of a disappointing run under Kelvin Abobo in the 1800-meter Eduardo Cojuangco Cup where he came in only third behind Fierce Fighter and Weder Weder Lang after a furious homestretch battle.
To those looking for a good longshot, Dream Supreme should be it.
To be ridden by John Cordero, Dream Supreme goes into action fresh from a runaway triumph in the MARHO Colt Mile race in which he bested seven others to bag his third title in the big stage.