BOSS EMONG nosed out Sky Shot in Sunday’s Philippine Racing Commission Philracom)-Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office Silver Cup to again show that the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar is his domain.
The exciting race was decided via photo finish as the final 100 meters showed it was anybody’s race, until Boss Emong booked a half-a-head victory over Sky Shot with Big Lagoon coming in third, Super Swerte fourth and five lengths at fifth War Cannon and King Tiger.
“It was a race to behold as it held everyone on the edge of their seats until the official outcome was declared,” Philracom chairman Aurelio “Reli” de Leon said. “This is the type of pulse-pounding races that the bayang karerista will expect in the coming days and weeks as we head toward the end of the year with the Presidential Gold Cup still ahead.”
Only considered by most as a third option in the betting, Boss Emong made sure the Batangas track was his home turf.
The Dance City out of Chica Una grey progeny and bred by Tony Tan settled in fourth behind pacesetter and known speed horse Sky Shot for most of the 1800-meter race as Cam From Behind and defending champion Super Swerte challenged for the front spot.
But with half-mile to go, jockey Jeffril T. Zarate egged on his mount to start his move and slowly crept to the lead with Super Swerte and top favorite Big Lagoon in tow.
It was only at the final turn for home where the Kennedy Morales-owned and Ernesto Roxas-trained galloper levelled up with Sky Shot for a duel to the finish with Big Lagoon dangerously close in third. Boss Emong clocked one minute and 51 seconds—quarters of 13′-22′-23-24′-27’—in baggint the P2.4-million top prize. Sky Shot banked P800,000, Big Lagoon netted P400,000, Super Swerte scooped P200,000, War Cannon got P120,000 and King Tiger P80,000.