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NAIC, Cavite—Hitting Spree led from start to finish, enduring the challenge put up by another favorite in Atomicseventynine to rule the 2017 Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup at the Santa Ana Park here last Sunday.
With Atomicseventynine just close at the right side, jockey Kelvin Abobo prodded the four-year-old chestnut colt to the wire-to-wire win in the prestigious 2000-meter race offering a total purse of P2.5M and held in honor of the San Miguel Corp. Chairman, a stalwart in the horseracing industry.
“Maganda ang itinakbo ng kabayo. Inaasahan namin ito,” said the 30-year-old Abobo after riding Hitting Spree to the win in the rich racing weekend of the Philippine Racing Commission, the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners and the Philippine Racing Club, offering more than P11 million in prizes. “Performance-wise, I’m very satisfied.”
The win earned Hitting Spree, sired by Grand Slam and Sarrin, of owner SC Stockfarm the top purse of P1.2 million, while Atomic seventynine of owner Joseph Dyhengco got P450,000. She’s Incredible of owner Cool Summer Farm took home P250,000.
It turned out to be a busy, winning day for Abobo.
Prior to the Cojuangco Cup win, Abobo was on board Brilliance, which won the second leg of the Philracom 3YO Imported Fillies Stakes (1,800-Meter) Race. Favorite Smokin’ Saturday of owner Roberto Inigo settled for runner-up honors worth P112,000, while Already Feisty of SC Stockfarm placed third and pocketed P62,500.
Abobo was also the jockey for Golden Kingdom, which clinched the top honors of the President Sandy Javier-Marho-Philracom Trophy race, with Eletric Truth and Subterranean River placing second and third, respectively.
The star jockey then steered Shoo In past Morning Breeze and Niccole Girl in the President Benhur Abalos Trophy, and carried Showtime to the victory in the Marho Breeders Championship Sprint race, before leading Johnny Be Good in the San Miguel Beer-Marho Breeders Cup Championship Classic (2,000 meters) past Lakan and Pinagtipunan.
Jockey Pat Dilema, aboard Salt and Pepper, cut Abobo’s domination in the Mayor Leonardo Javier Jr. Thanksgiving Cup, where the latter’s Shining Vic placed runner-up. Boxmeer placed third.