STUNNING. Lamberto Almeda Jr.'s High Roller (No. 6) pulls off a close victory in the 2024 Philracom Road to the Triple Crown race at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas on Sunday (March 10, 2024). The three-year-old Minsk out of Lucky Nine bay filly was guided by jockey Pablito Cabalejo. (Philracom photo)
MANILA – High Roller topped the 2024 Philracom Road to the Triple Crown race by a close margin at Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas on Sunday.
The three-year-old Minsk out of Lucky Nine bay filly, ridden by jockey Pablito Cabalejo and owned by Lamberto Almeda Jr., laid down big strides to beat top choice Ghost and The Kiss by a mere half a head.
The Kiss (Top Billing-Mary Todd) placed second, followed by Ghost (He's Had Enough-Smooth Charm) and Added Haha (Brigand-Added Value).
The victory worth PHP600,000 to the connections made High Roller, bred by Almeda himself and trained by Quirino Rayat, a contender in the upcoming Triple Crown Series.
Meanwhile, Feet Bell defeated Mahusayay and Carmela's Love to win the Siete de Marso Special Invitational Race co-sponsored by horseman and Hall of Fame inductee Hermie Esguerra.
The Bell Racing Stable Bay by Lemon Drop Title out of Footsteps is trained by Wally Manalo and guided by jockey Mark Angelo Alvarez.
Esguerra credited chair Reli de Leon and the whole Philracom for the leaps and bounds that the industry has achieved after the pandemic.
De Leon congratulated the winners and thanked Esguerra, saying "his involvement in today's racing made it doubly enjoyable for the racing fans." (PNA)
