Yes Pogi romps to easy win in Marho racefest

MANILA, Philippines - Outstanding favorite Yes Pogi lived up to the hype and dominated three other veteran campaigners to rule the centerpiece Classic race of the 16th San Miguel-Marho racing festival at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite last Sunday.

The four-year-old Yes Pogi, handled by regular partner Manolito Daquis, pulled away at the far turn and charged home unopposed, finishing two minutes and 00.7 seconds over the 2,000-meter race, the main event of a rich 13-race program highlighting the week-long racefest.

Yes Pogi, who came within a leg of sweeping the local version of the Triple Crown, finished about 10 lengths in front of second choice Gastambide, ridden by Rodeo Fernandez, as he nailed his biggest victory thus far in the season – P1 million for owner Francis Lim.

Darleb, handled by Patti Dilema, and multi-titled Carriedo, guided by Jesse Guce, never figured seriously and wound up third and fourth, respectively.

In another highlight race held over the same distance, top choice Juggling Act rallied from as far back as 10 lengths to beat coupled entry Gentle Irony in the Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. Cup and clinch the top prize of P1.2 million.

Juggling Act overtook Gentle Irony in the closing strides, winning by about two lengths in two minutes and 05 seconds. Queen Star and Sun Tan Tony came in third and fourth, respectively.

In other results, Amazing Migs clocked 1:43 seconds over 1,600m to top the Philracom Marho Juvenile Fillies race, Hagdang Bato ruled the Colts side with a 1:40.2 clocking, Cheese Mosa copped the PCSO-Marho three-year-old Filly Mile crown with a time of 1:40.2, also over 1,600 meters while Arvindugo captured the San Miguel Beer-Marho three-year-old Colt mile run with a 1:39 clocking.