CARMONA, Cavite—Smart Candy continued to stamp her class on longer distances at the San Lazaro Leisure Park here.
The young dark bay filly, with jockey Kelvin Abobo on top, fended off the spirited late charge of Wonderland and Victorious Colt and won by a length in one minute and 41 seconds in the 1,600-meter 3rd leg of the 2018 Philippine Racing Commission’s 3YO Local Fillies and Colts Stakes Race.
The course was 100 meters longer than the second-leg distance, which Smart Candy, also won.
It was also the first time that Smart Candy went through such a long route and proved that she can hang on to a lead.
“Sa tingin ko, kaya niya makipag-compete sa mahabang distansiya. First time niyang tumakbo ng mile. Maganda ang pinakita niya,” said Abobo.
Smart Candy finished just a pace ahead of Wonderland, which overtook Victorious Colt from the right side.
Abobo said he had little trouble prodding Smart Candy to the front since she loves to take charge in any race she runs.
“Gusto niya sa harapan, kaya hindi kami masyadong nahirapan,” added Abobo of Smart Candy, which won for owner SC Stockfarm the top purse of P600,000 from the total guaranteed purse of P1 million.
Trainer Chito Santos said this serves as Smart Candy’s continuing preparation for next month’s Triple Crown.
“Preparation niya ito for the prestigious Triple Crown, which I believe, 1,600 meters din ang first leg. Sinasanay namin siya dito,” said Santos.
Smart Candy scored a sweet and emphatic win in the second leg of the series, winning by eight paces over her closest pursuer. Right of the bat, Smart Candy rushed into a swift start, leaving the field following her trail and reaching the finish line in one minute, 32.6 seconds.
At that time, it was the longest race that Smart Candy ran since January. So far, she has already finished on top of six races.
Last February, she topped the 1,300-meter course of two 3-year old races, plus two 1,000-meter races last January, with Abobo also on top.
Wonderland (owner Herminio Esguerra, jockey Pat R Dilema), won P225,000, while Victorious Colt (Jose Antonio Zialcita, OP Cortez), settled for P125,000.
Meanwhile, the Philracom,which deemed it necessary to temporarily change the weekend schedule due to the coming summer season, passed a resolution resolving the schedule of races from April 1 to June 30.
According to the resolution, Saturday schedules must start at 4 p.m., with a maximum of only 10 races, while Sundays have a maximum of 12 races, with Race No. 1 starting at 3 p.m., instead of the usual 2 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday races’ limit include Philippine Charity Sweepstakes, Philracom and other sponsored races, unless additional race/s is/are authorized in writing by the Philracom board.
Holidays falling on a weekday will have a maximum of 12 races.
