Dewey Boulevard cements ‘TC favorite’ status
TOP HORSES of the Hermie Esguerra stables ruled the major races while charges of Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos took home the championships in the recent Philtobo Gintong Lahi Racing Festival at San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
Esquerra’s Dewey Boulevard overpowered a tough field to score an easy victory in the Gintong Lahi Graduate Stakes and established itself as the horse to beat for the upcoming Triple Crown Series.
Meanwhile, stablemate Piskante pulled off a major upset in the Philracom 3-year-old Colts and Fillies Stakes to underline their domination of the day’s top races.
“It was a tour de force for Hermie Esguerra’s horses, as two other gallopers from his farm, Port Angeles and Tan Goal also scored big wins in what could be another banner year for the multititled horse owner and breeder,” said Philtobo president Manny Santos.
It was also a triumphant day for Abalos as two of his chargers won division championships in the 18th Annual Gintong Lahi Awards honoring the best in local horse racing for 2015.
Multiple stakes winners Gentle Strength and Malaya bagged the 3-year-old Filly and Sprint titles, respectively, with the former eventually taking home the coveted Horse of the Year plum. Abalos also brought home the champion owner award for a third straight year while his stallion, Ultimate Goal, was named 2015 top sire. The other Gintong Lahi award winners include: Subterranean River (champion 2-year-old filly), Spectrum (champion 2year-old colt), Sky Hook (champion 3-year-old colt), Low Profile (champion older horse) Silver Sword (champion imported horse), Jonathan Hernandez (jockey of the year), Ruben Tupas (Trainer of the Year), Lacquaria (Broodmare of the Year) and Oliver Velasquez’s SC Stockfarm (Breeder of the Year). Philtobo also announced that their 3rd Gintong Lahi 2YO-in-Training Parade, a qualifying event for the 2017 Gintong Lahi Graduate Stakes Race, is slated June 27 at San Lazaro Leisure Park.