Crucis rallies, tops Rudy Salud Race

MANILA, Philippines - A big rally at the top of the stretch catapulted Crucis into the lead to win the Rodrigo Salud Race, which served as the fourth leg of the 2013 Philracom Imported-Local Challenge Series, yesterday at the MetroTurf in Malvar, Batangas.

Ridden by one of the superstar riders in the country today – Jeffril Zarate – the five-year-old mare by Southern Image out of Dixie Parade simply hounded the pacesetting Gentle Irony for most of the 1,800-meter voyage.

Sensing that the ageing Gentle Irony was already tiring out, jockey Zarate stepped on the gas in the mad dash for home and collared the leader.

There’s no looking back for jockey Zarate and Crucis from that canto as they doused cold water on the blazing rally of top favorite Juggling Act in the final straight.

“Gusto nang sumugod ng kabayo ko dun pa lang sa backstretch pero pinalamig ko na lang muna. Kaya naman nung hingan ko sa far turn nagrespond naman siya,” said the winning rider Jeff Zarate.

The victory was worth P300,000 and a trophy for owner and former Philracom commissioner Marlon Cunanan, who personally received his trophy from George Alcantara,  long-time assistant of the late Atty. Rudy Salud who represented the Salud family yesterday at the awarding ceremony.

Juggling Act, who hobbled at second with a heavy handicap weight of 57 kilos as against the 53 of Crucis, received the runner-up prize of P112,500 while third placer Tritanic bagged P62,500. Fourth placer Oh Oh Seven (the coupled entry of Juggling Act) salvaged P25,000.