Shastaloo spoils Righteous Ruby bid

Soapking Inc.’s Shastaloo grabbed the lead at the 600-meter mark and held off the late charge of grand slam-seeking Righteous Ruby to win by a neck and bring home the P5-million 2022 Philracom Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup last Sunday at the Metro Manila Turf Club.

Considered by the racing fans as a mere second choice in the betting, the Algorithms out of Water Park 4YO bay filly was nicely tucked within striking distance while the overwhelming favorite was third to last at this point as Raintree Starlet and Runway battled for the right to dictate the early pace of the race.

It was at the half-mile pole that Righteous Ruby encountered her woes as she found herself somewhat trapped by the rail, a place very unfamiliar to her with Shastaloo having a traffic-free run about six-wide.

At the 3/8-mile pole jockey Jeffril Zarate, being the veteran of many a big money races, used this tactical advantage to the hilt egging his mount to zoom to the lead knowing that once Righteous Ruby is able to break free from her “dilemma” she would be charging for the win.

But the lead established was good enough to stave off the fast-arriving opponent.

The Dante Salazar-trained galloper stopped the clock at 2:02 with quarters of 23-23’-25-24-26’ for the 2,000m distance.

The win was worth P3-million for Shastaloo’s connections with Righteous Ruby’s having to settle for the P1-million runner-up prize.

Rounding out the top six were Time For Glory, who bagged P500,000, Bombay Nights, who clinched P250,000, Runway Dreamer, who pocketed P150,000 and Starrininmydreams, who ran away with P100,000.

On hand during the awarding ceremonies was Interior and Local Government Secretary and a true-blue horseman Benhur Abalos who handed the trophy to the winning owner.