Spectrum tops rich PCSO 2YO stakes race

Outstanding favorite Spectrum lived up to his high billing, beating five others to capture the P1M Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office 2 Year-Old Maiden stakes race in overpowering fashion on Saturday at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.

Handled by Dan Camanero, owned by businessman Narciso Morales and trained by Arturo Sordan Jr., Spectrum pulled away with 400 meters remaining in the 1200- meter race to win and establish himself as one of the horses to watch in the coming prize- rich juvenile races.

Spectrum, sired by Golden Pharoah and Celestial Chase, finished five lengths in front of third choice Killer Hook and some 10 lengths ahead of second pick Total Defiance with a time of 1 minute, 14.6 seconds.

The victory was worth P600,000, the biggest paycheck won so far by Morales, a respected businessman-lawyer who was the hands-down-choice by the Philippine Racing Commission as the Most Reputable Horseowner awardee last year.

“I tip my hat off to my team which worked hard to prepare Spectrum in this big race. I also would like to thank the bettors for supporting the horse,” said Morales, whose vast Rancho Narciso in Lipa, Batangas houses around 50 competitive horses.

According to Morales, Spectrum will next compete in a juvenile stakes race on Aug. 30, which could serve as a gauge if the horse has really what it takes to compete in the Triple Crown series next year.

Selling more than half of the P500,000-plus sales in daily double betting, Spectrum grabbed the lead from Killer Hook after only 200 meters and easily maintained it even without taking a single whip from Camanero.

Turning for home, Spectrum had already built up a comfortable three-length lead over Killer Hook , which charged past Total Defiance in the last 100 meters to salvage runner-up honors worth P225,000.

“I hope he (Spectrum) stays healthy. He is showing a lot of promise. I guess winning is in his DNA. He has a good bloodline,” said Morales.