Nuclear Bomb's march to history just took another step as the Oh Oh Seven out of Hayley Rebecca progeny and bred by sportsman Hermie Esguerra held off Kaparkan Falls at the wire to take the Second Leg of the Philippine Triple Crown series last Sunday at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas.
The Gabriel Gaerlan prized possession and trained by Conrado "Dodek" Vicente gray colt bided his time at the back of the pack in the early goings of the race. However, at the 3/8 mile pole, apprentice jockey Pabs M. Cabalejo asked his mount to drive for the win.
As the runners hit the turn for home, Nuclear Bomb literally exploded to grab the lead with Kaparkan Falls in tow. With around 100m left to the wire a one-on-one battle ensued between the two.
And as the smoke cleared, Nuclear Bomb was not to be denied the half-length victory with an impressive clocking of 1:51(13-22'-23'-24'-27') over the 1800 meter distance and giving his connections the top prize of a cool P2.1-million and the imposing trophy by internationally known sculptor Ramon Orlina specially designed exclusively for the Philracom. Kaparkan Falls' connections settled for the runner-up prize of P700-thousand
Rounding out the top six finishers were the late-charging Kevlar (P350k), Gusto Mucho (P175k), War Cannon (P105k) and Hook On D Run (P70k). Hermie Esguerra will receive P175,000 as breeder.
In the undercard, the Rancho Sta. Rosa owned King Tiger (Brigand-Tiger Queen) went wire-to-wire to take top honors in the Hopeful Stakes registering a time of 1:51.8(13'-22-23'-23'-29) over 1800-meters and pocketing P900k for his connections (Rancho Sta. Rosa as owner, trainer RR Rayat and jockey John Alvin Guce) . Fellow speedster Liquid Gold settled for second worth P300k. Top favorite Superformer came in third (P150k) while Flattering You, Tocque Bell round out the top five finishers.
The Three-Year-Old Locally-Bred Stakes saw Namayan(Top Billing out of Open Slew) settling nicely in third at the start until making the move with 600-meters to go to grab the plum worth P600k to the winning connections led by former MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. as the owner, CC Angeles as trainer and ridden by AR Villegas. Finishing time was 1:53(13'-22'-24-24'-28).
Forming the top six are Roll Da Dice, Stayinthemoment, Money Changer, Battle Scar, and Lovely Julliane.
Final step toward immortality for Nuclear Bomb will be on October 3 at the Philippine Racing Club in Naic, Cavite over the gruelling distance of 2000-meters.
So will he take the Third Leg of the Triple Crown and bag the P1-million bonus for sweeping the three legs? Be there and find out.