Philtobo juvenile stakes race on

MANILA, Philippines - Two-year-old filly track sensation Humble Riches puts her unbeaten record on the line this afternoon as she competes in the richest and most coveted race for two-year-olds  the P3-million Philtobo Juvenile Grand Championship  at the Saddle and Clubs Leisure Park in Naic, Cavite.

Principally backed by the Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization (Philtobo) in cooperation with the Philracom, PRCI, PCSO, PGA Cars, Pryde’s Easyfeeds, Jade Bros. Freight International, Manila Insurance, Omniversal Assurance Agency, Hi-grade Ridgemont Feedmill and All Creatures Great and Small (ACGS), the blue-ribbon event headlines an action packed card of championship and trophy races.

“Consistent with our goal to showcase the best juvenile colts and fillies, Philtobo is again hosting the most-anticipated clash of up-and-coming gallopers bred and raised in the country’s finest horse breeding farms,” said long-time Philtobo president Bienvenido “Nonoy” Niles Jr.

Precocious “island born” bay filly Humble Riches (Tribal Rule – Starlight Wish by High Brite), undefeated in all her six starts, is set to be ridden by regular jockey Val Dilema, and will be gunning for a seventh straight victory over 1,600 meters, her first outing over a mile distance. The top class juvenile campaigner races under the colors of owner Kenneth Causon and is conditioned by veteran trainer Ruben Clor.

Looming as her worthiest adversary for the premier spot is Nonoy Niles’ Steel Creation (Reenact – Asap by Honour and Glory), a fighting runner-up to Hagdang Bato in the recent Marho Cup Juvenile Colts and set to be skippered by top journeyman Jesse Guce.

Also expected to figure prominently in the final stretch are Francis Lim’s YES YES YES, a half-brother to champion Yes Pogi and Purple Ribbon from the famed Hermie Esguerra Stable, which has won the past two editions of this race with Carriedo (2009) and Pritil (2010).

Others in the stellar field include Rita Bustamante’s Bechot, Nel Velasco’s Cinderella Kid, Joseph Dyhengco’s Dajorca, Honorato Neri’s Fort Alamo, Sandy Javier’s Ikel and Spring Collection, Kenneth CAuson’s Isa Pa Isa Pa and Panfilo Castro’s Smarty Ryan.

The winner of this year’s highlight race is guaranteed to take home the top prize of Php P1.8-million, with the three other place-getters (second – fourth place) assured of getting P675,000; Php375,000 and Php150,00, respectively, from the total prize pool.

Meanwhile, three other championship races will lend support to the day’s main event – the Philtobo Grand Championship Classic over 2,000 meters, the Philtobo 3YO Colts and the Philtobo 3YO Fillies, both to be run over 1,600-meters, (Multiple stakes winners Carriedo and Oh Wacky are top picks for the Classic, while stable mates Tensile Strength and Prime Rate are early favorities for the 3YO colt and 3YO filly races.