LOCAL racing’s most anticipated track face-off finally unfolds today as home-grown champion LOW PROFILE and imported group powerhouse SAKIMA (USA) lead five other top-notch contenders competing in the “1st HENRY COJUANGCO CUP,” main event of the action-packed “HAPI RACING FESTIVAL” at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
The P1.5-million championship showdown in honor of the late horseman and sports patron Enrique “Henry” Cojuangco is being co-presented by the Philippine Racing Commission, Manila Jockey Club, Inc. and the eponymous Hapi Group of local horse owners and breeders.
Set over a distance of 1,750-meters, the featured clash of champions headlines the winners of previous years’ major stakes vying for the undisputed title of being the “Best of the Best” and will be aired live on MJCI Racing Channel at Sky Cable 133 and Destiny Cable 113 starting at 5:30 P.M. today as Race 6.
In addition to the two headliners, also in the hunt for the coveted crown is multiple stakes winning import ATOMICSEVENTYNINE (USA), SAKIMA’s main division rival who has so far won four major added money races since breaking out in local racing last year.
Champion race mare SKYWAY, close runner-up to LOW PROFILE in the Gold Cup, also joins the fray, along with last year’s triple classic stakes winner KANLAON, 2015 PCSO Presidential Gold Cup winner and known big finisher DIXIE GOLD, as well as, 2017 Philracom Commissioner’s Cup giant-slayer and multiple stakes winner MANALIG KA, which pulled the rug from under the likes of LOW PROFILE, SKYWAY and KANLAON in a classic upset victory only three weeks ago at the same track.
It remains uncertain how the race might develop on account of the entry of the two classy imports, given their impressive performances in recent outings. Likewise, this would be the first time that they would be facing the most experienced locally-bred stakes campaigners in the country, majority of which are “island borns” with proven US bloodlines.
Most racing pundits believe that the focus of attention will likely be centered on the ensuing tactical battle between the currently undefeated SAKIMA and local kingpin LOW PROFILE, notably on whether both would press the early pace likely to be set by the speedy SKYWAY. If both should decide to allow SKYWAY to have her way in the early going, the bullet gray is well capable of going it all the way. However, if they bear down early on the pacer, the chances of known closers in the field will likely increase and ensure an unforgettable down the wire battle royale to the finish.
Lending support to the featured track encounter are 11 other Sponsored Trophy Races, named after locally-based stallions standing at stud for the 2017 breeding season, as well as, the running of the PCSO-sponsored “1st Filipino-Chinese Friendship Race.”
“The blockbuster championship and the supporting races is but a fitting tribute to a man who has devoted his life towards the upliftment of the local breeding and racing industries, and in the process, inspired others to follow in his lead,” said Hapi Group stalwart Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.