Son Also Rises cruised past its competition in the short 1,200-meter race to hoist the 2018 Philippine Racing Commission’s Grand Sprint Championship title held over the weekend at the Metro Turf in Malvar, Tanuan City, Batangas.
With the multi-titled jockey JB Hernandez riding the Benhur Abalos Jr.-owned colt, Son Also Rises left his rivals behind with his calculated burst of speed in the stretch to record an emphatic four-length victory over second placer Pinagtipunan.
Lakan set the pace early, but Son Also Rises made it a two-horse party in the final 400 before grabbing the lead in the last 150 meters and increasing his speed all the way to the finish for the four-length triumph.
“Kumpiyansa kami sa takbo namin kasi kilalang-kilala ko na itong kabayo ko (Son Also Rises) pati ‘yung kalaban namin na si Lakan sa simula, kaya alam ko na ang galaw nu’ng kalaban namin,” said Hernandez. “Pagkakuha namin sa diretso, tuluy-tuloy na.”
It was the duo’s first major stakes race victory together.
“Madami na kaming panalo na minor races, pero ito ang unang malaki na nakuha namin. Hopefully, may mga kasunod pa,” said Hernandez.
Son Also Rises bagged the P600,000 top purse for Abalos Jr. from the guaranteed R1 million total prize put up by Philracom, including trophies for its owner, jockey and trainer and the breeder’s purse worth R20,000.
