Long shots rule Klub Don Juan races

CARMONA, CAVITE—Long shots grabbed the limelight Sunday as fifth choice Holy Ridge and far second favorite Indelible Ink captured the top two races of the seventh Klub Don Juan de Manila Racing Festival at the San Lazaro Leisure Park here.

Ridden by Louie Balboa, Holy Ridge won the Klub Don Juan de Manila Derby while Indelible Ink, expertly handled by ace jockey Jonathan Hernandez, humbled outstanding favorite Es Twenty Six in ruling the Sampaguita Stakes.

Holy Ridge nipped Lim Expensive Toys (John Alvin Guce) and Shining Fame (JB Guce) to win the P880,000 top prize for the 2,000-meter race.

Indelible Ink left last year’s Horse of the Year Es Twenty Six struggling in her wake going into the homestretch to complete a big day for owner Hermie Esguerra.

The unchallenged winner of the Lakambini Stakes a few weeks ago, Indelible Ink came home some 10 lengths in front of Es Twenty Six, who couldn’t sustain a blistering pace in front.

Pearl Buck (Dominador Borbe), Victorian Stones (Pat Dilema) and Treasured Act (John Cordero) checked in third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

The daughter of Best of Luck and Seaquin clocked 1 minute and 59.8 seconds for the 1900-meter race and delivered P720,000 for Esguerra, who also swept the two Juvenile Stakes events.

Guided by Patti Dilema, Nuclear Power pulled away from underdog Heaven Sent (RG Fernandez) in the final 150 meters to win the 1400m Juvenile Fillies by some four lengths with a time of 1 minute and 27 seconds.

An hour later, Go Army, ridden by Hernandez, showed the way from start to finish for coupled entry Go Marines (Manolito Daquiz) and High Tower (John Alvin Guce) in the three-horse Colts race.

A strong 2009 Triple Crown prospect, Go Army clocked 1:26 while breezing home five lengths in front of Go Marines.

Go Army stayed unbeaten in six career starts while Nuclear Power raised her record to four straight wins in as many starts as they continued to dazzle in their sex and age while delivering P300,000 each to Esguerra.