Big Lagoon entered Philippine horseracing history by becoming only the fifth back-to-back winner of the Philracom-PCSO Presidential Gold Cup on Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas.
With the win, the Havana out of Blue Catch progeny joined the esteemed club founded by Fair and Square.
Other members are Sun Dancer, Bulldozer and Wind Blown.
Istulen Ola, another Melaine Habla entry, broke out of the gates well and dictated the early fractions of the race with Boss Emong trying to keep in step while Big Lagoon was a very close third at this juncture.
But at the half-mile mark, the Melaine Habla’s owned and Ruben Tupas-trained 6-year-old bay colt under the guidance of regular rider John Alvin Guce began to make his move.
He then blew past Boss Emong on the way to winning the 2,000-meter contest in 2:05 (25’-24’-24’-24-26’).
At the wire, Big Lagoon was a clear five lengths ahead of Boss Emong with War Cannon taking third and Magtotobetsky snatching fourth.
The Gold Cup victory was 11th for Tupad.
