Patong Patong stayed within strike distance at third three fourths of the way before making its move in the homestretch, taking the 2nd leg of the 2019 Philippine Racing Commission 3YO Imported/Local Challenge Series by two lengths at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas on Sunday.
Ridden by first-time stakes race winner jockey Jonathan King Flores, Patong Patong blasted out in front in the final 300 meters, leaving Will To Win and Magtotobetsky behind en route to the victory in the 1,800-meter race, fashioned out in 1:52 with quartertimes of 14, 22, 24, 23 and 27.
“Noong medya milya, ramdam ko na kaya naman ng kabayo ko. Noong nag-tres octavo ako, hinanda ko na lang, dahil alam ko naman na naghahabulan sila. Halos sa diretso ko na lang kinuha dahil alam ko naman malakas pa kabayo ko,” said Flores, who notched his first stakes race victory in his young career.
“Sana dire-diretso na ito,” Flores said.
The Philippine Racing Commission shelled out P1.5 million for the race, with the first-place purse of P900,000 going to Patong Patong owner Narciso Morales.
Runner-up Will To Win (owner Wally Manalo) pocketed P337,500, while Magtotobetsky (owner Leonardo M. Javier Jr.) received P187,500 as third placer.
Mark of Excellence, owned by Mark Anthony Calixto, seized command of the race after the 7-horse field burst out of the gates, followed by Will to Win and Patong Patong, which kept its spot majority of the way, allowing the leaders to go at it up front. Will To Win finally got the lead in the final 400 against a fading Mark of Excellence, but the control was shortlived as Patong Patong seized command of the race and held unto it to the finish.
Patong Patong will be trying to make it second win in a row in the third leg of the series next month against Kentucky-bred What A Feeling, which ruled the 1st leg.
Sunday’s races were part of the Klub Don Juan de Manila Racing Festival. Other winners were Princess Eowyn (Klub Don Juan Stakes Race), Kaka and Bachi (Yorme Isko Moreno Trophy Race), Sky Candy (Juvenile Fillies), I Love Matty (Altheane Builders Trophy Race), One More One More (Equine International Airfreight Trophy Race), Yes I Will (Cong. Tony Calixto Trophy Race), King Polonius (Andok’s Litson Trophy Race), Chancetheracer (Manila Derby), Simlong Rock (Hygain Feeds Australia Trophy Race ), Helushka (Magic Millions Australia) and Du Pont Circle (DLTB Trophy Race)
December proves to be the busiest horseracing month for big races with the Philracom’s holding of the 3rd leg of the Juvenile Fillies and Colts Stakes Races on the 1st, the Grand Sprint Championship on the 15th, the Chairman’s Cup and the 3rd leg of the 3YO Imported/Local Challenge Series on the 29th and the Juvenile Championship on the 31st.