Horse Racing News

Soapking Inc.’s Shastaloo emerged victorious in last Sunday’s 2023 Philracom Henry Cojuangco Cup at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas. The talented Algorithms out of Water Park progeny played a waiting game in fourth position through most of the 1800-meter race while Treasure Hunting and Civics Class tried to outduel each other with Time For Glory also watching in third.

Expertly ridden by John Paul Guce and meticulously prepared by Jed Christopher Francisco, Shastaloo made his move for the win at the 600m mark after the breakneck pace set by the frontrunners took its toll. Despite the fast-approaching Righteous Ruby’s challenge for the win, Shastaloo was already clear by three lengths and crossed the finish line first. The clock stopped at 1:49.6 (13′-23-23′-24-25′), with Treasure Hunting finishing third followed by Time For Glory.

The victory was a testament to the excellent breeding and training that went into Shastaloo’s preparation for the race. The Algorithms out of Water Park progeny has shown tremendous potential in past races, and his victory at the Henry Cojuangco Cup solidified his status as one of the most promising racehorses in the Philippines.

In addition to Shastaloo’s impressive performance, the 6th Cool Summer Farm Derby also featured some exciting racing action. Jaguar, owned by Congressman Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, won the race by about seven lengths over Sartorial Elegance and Sky Story. The Dance City-Delta Gold chestnut colt was neatly positioned in third for most of the way, but the Dunoy Raquel mounted and Jess Pabilic-conditioned galloper was not to be denied the victory registering a time of 1:40 (25′-24-23′-27) for the mile.

Longshot Easy Does It (Eagle Scout out of Gabba Girl) surprised the top choices with a last-minute spurt to take the White Castle Stakes, bringing home P630-thousand for his connections. The chestnut three-year-old trained by Peter Aguila and ridden by Jomell Estorque showed everyone that he was no push-over in the last 100m and crossed the wire just in the nick of time over second pick Atomic Bomb and top choice Easy Way. The clocking for the 1600m distance was 1:40.8, with clips of 25′-24-23′-27′.

Philracom Chairman Reli de Leon congratulated the winners of the day’s big events, led by Henry Cojuangco Cup winner Shastaloo, Jaguar, and Easy Does It. He also expressed his gratitude to the racing fans who make racing the sport it is today.

Overall, the 2023 Philracom Henry Cojuangco Cup was a thrilling event that showcased the best of Philippine horse racing. From Shastaloo’s impressive victory to the surprises of the Cool Summer Farm Derby and the White Castle Stakes, the races demonstrated the skill and talent of the horses, jockeys, trainers, and breeders involved. Fans of horse racing can look forward to more exciting races in the future as the sport continues to thrive in the Philippines.

Righteous Ruby, owned by businessman-sportsman and top breeder Joseph Dyhengco, took sweet revenge on its rival Shastaloo with a length victory in the P1-million 2023 Philracom Japan Cup held at the Metro Manila Turf Club.

The two top imported runners in the land have been making waves among racing aficionados after Shastaloo won the Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Cup two months ago and Righteous Ruby emerged victorious in another recent bout. Fans are now urging for a match race between the two protagonists.

Time For Glory came in third, and Take A Chance in fourth, with a time of 1:51.2 and clips of 13′-22′-24′-24′-27′. On hand for the awards presentation were Miyamoto Yuichiro, Japan Racing Association Chief Representative, and Ota Keisuke, another representative of the JRA.

In the other major event of the day, Melaine Habla’s Brigand, this time out of Missliyev, has produced yet another champion in Going East. The bay three-year-old broke her maiden in style, securing the P1.2-million 2023 Philracom Maiden Stakes.

Renato “Egoy” Hipolito-trained, and Kelvin Abobo-mounted filly, went head-to-head with the quick-footed Sandigan (Cat Brulay-Heyday) throughout the race, setting rapid early fractions of 13′-22-22′. This was too much for Sandigan to handle, leaving Going East on her own when she was in the clear. She crossed the wire with a final quarter of 27′, for a total time of 1:25.8 for the 1400-meter journey. This was about four lengths clear of second place Domsat Seven, and third place finisher Diversity. Sandigan just managed to place fourth.

“Congratulations to our winners of today’s stakes races! The Japan Cup is part of the exchange of races between the Philippines and Japan, where a Philippine Cup will also be held sometime in the middle of this year. We at the Commission thank Mr. Yuichiro and Mr. Keisuke for gracing this momentous occasion,” said Philracom Chairman Reli de Leon.

The match race between Righteous Ruby and Shastaloo is really being considered, De Leon continued, “For the racing fans, thank you for your support in today’s events.”