On Easter Sunday, Jungkook displayed his staying power and beat Don Julio in a thrilling stretch duel to win the P1.8 million 2024 Philracom Classic Cup at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas.
In a wide open race with all entries gaining support from the “bayang karerista,” the eventual winner spent his time at the tail-end for most part of the 1800-meter race while Istulen Ola and Boss Emong tried to outdo each other in the early goings.
At the half-mile pole, Don Julio joined the fray and eventually took the lead with 400 to go.
That’s when the five-year-old bay of Low Profile out of Liquid Oxygen started making his move under the prodding of jockey Mark Alvarez to which the Rommel “Moy” Mongaya-trained galloper responded.
The race was reduced to a virtual two-horse affair between Jungkook and Don Julio. But with the distance of the journey coming into play, Don Julio had to give way to the strong charge of Jungkook.
The win gave the winning connections the top prize of P1,080,000 with Don Julio, Jaguar and Istulen Ola coming in second, third and fourth, respectively. The race’s quarter times were 14′-23-24-23′-28′ for a total time of 1:53.4.
In the Classic Cup Division 2, Vice-Governor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier Jr.’s owned and bred Moderne Cong (Art Moderne-Boogie To Seattle) hit the wire ahead of everyone else snatching the P420,000 winner’s prize after overcoming the tough challenge of Secretary.
The Ruben Tupas-trained Moderne Cong accelerated in the final quarter of the 1800-meter race to prevail.
Third went to Chrome Bell and Sophisticated finished fourth.
Top choice Diversity (Dewey Boulevard-O’ Deara) owned by Herminio “Hermie” Esguerra and bred by Esguerra Farms & Stud Inc. reigned supreme in Classic Cup Division 3.
