Top favorite and defending champion Boss Emong put on display his amazing speed and staying power to rule the Gran Copa de Manila Division I for the second straight year Saturday at the MetroTurf in Malvar, Batangas.
The seven-year-old grey horse by Dance City out of Chica Una used an explosive start to take the lead then kept it despite the persistent hounding of Life Gets Better for the first 1000m of the mile-race contest.
In his final drive for home, Boss Emong needed another burst of speed, this time, to repulse Don Julio’s determined challenge to win the contest held to highlight “Araw ng Maynila” by three-quarter length.
Trained by Ernesto “Boy Gare” Roxas, Boss Emong clocked 1:39 (25-22′-24-27) – thanks to brilliant driving of jockey Jefril T. Zarate.
With the win, Boss Emong rewarded owner Kennedy Morales the top purse of P600,000.
Don Julio settled for second while third was Jungkook (Low Profile-Liquid Oxygen). Magtotobetsy (Zap out of Will Soon) came in fourth.
Meantime, Cluster topped the Gran Copa de Manila Division II after beating Prime Billing in the other exciting contest.
The day’s festivities was graced by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan who was the honoree of the main event, Vice-Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, former Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Third District Congressman Atty. Joel Chua and Councilors of Manila’s six districts.
