Yes Pogi, Carriedo lock horns as KDJM Derby gets going today

CARMONA, Cavite – The much-anticipated return bout between Yes Pogi and Carriedo finally happens today in the ninth running of the centerpiece Klub Don Juan de Manila Derby presented by Fontana Leisure Park and Casino at the San Lazaro Leisure Park here.

Two of only three locals in a crack nine-horse field, the Triple Crown protagonists battle it out in the 2,000-meter classic as Yes Pogi seeks to get back at his third leg TC tormentor which denied him the chance to become just the first horse to sweep since Silver Story in 2001.

A number of blue-chip imports, led by stayer Our Solemn Prayer and the versatile Next Big Thing, loom as the likely gatecrashers in the P1.5 million race also made possible by KDJM members Norman Ng and Eddie Gonzales and Magic Millions of Australia.

The veteran Manolito Daquis rides Yes Pogi, while ace Jessie Guce steers Carriedo, the Hermie Esguerra-owned colt sired by Deputy Bodman out of Astuce who will have a coupled entry in Gastambide (JP Guce).

John Alvin Guce handles Our Solemn Prayer, an import from the United States who was sired by Songandaprayer out of I’m Sweeter, while Jeffryl Zarate pilots Next Big Thing.

Outsiders Denise Song (AB Alcasid Jr.), an import from New Zealand like Rita Ravensky (DH Borbe), Run Prospector Run (Val Dilema) and Dy San Diego (Pat Dilema) round out the field.

The Philracom-sponsored Juvenile Colts’ and Fillies’ championships are also on tap with Arvin Dugo, who will also be handled by Zarate, looming as the top pick in the Colts’ even as a three-cornered race is seen in the Fillies’ side with Dimasalang, Antoine D’Ugo and Rosemary Blue expected to corner majority of the sales.

A fourth stakes race – the Don Antonio Floirendo Golden Girls stakes – is the ninth race in the program where 11 fillies led by last year’s Derby winner, My Hope, are entered.