Top pick Secretary expectedly stamped her class, topping the 2022 Philracom 2-year-old Maiden Stakes in wire-to-wire fashion on Sunday at the San Lazaro Business and Leisure Park.
The Dance City out of Romantic Jewel bay filly immediately established a two-length lead as the field of six jumped out of the gate with Jaguar and Love Radio trying their very best to keep in step with the pacesetter.
But by the half-mile pole it was evident that the pace being set Secretary proved too much for others with multi-titled jockey Jeffril Zarate simply holding his mount a bit to save strength for the final furlong.
But they encountered no trouble along the way and completed the 1,400-meter voyage in 1:29 (12′-24′-25-27′), giving breeder Joseph Dyhengco another feather to his cap. The win was worth P600,000 to owner Ronald David in the event held in honor of past Philracom chairman and now PH representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Antonio Manuel “Tonette” Lagdameo.
Jaguar, Love Radio and Malibu Bell came in second, third and fourth for P225,000, P125,000 and P50,000, respectively.
“Sinigurado ko lang na gumanda talon ng kabayo ko at pagkatapos nun ay ma-relax ko siya. Sa ultimo kwarto pinitik ko na yung kabayo ko at nag-response naman at lumayo na kami,” Zarate said.
“We expected Secretary to lead from the start, but of course the threat of the competition was always there. In the end, I guess swerte lang na siguro talagang para sa atin yung panalom” said David.
Lagdameo thanked the Philippine Racing Commission for the honor, saying: “I’m glad to see horseracing still going strong and I’m looking forward to the further growth of the industry.”
