Congressman Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo’s Jaguar (Dance City-Delta Gold) romped away with a smashing victory last Sunday at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas.
Jaguar proved that he is the three-year-old to beat by taking the P3-million 2023 Philracom-PCSO 3YO Locally Bred Grand Derby by almost three lengths ahead of Istulen Ola at the wire.
Jockey Jeffril Zarate asked his mount to run at the 3/8-mile pole and Jaguar responded but not without encountering stiff resistance from the front-running Istulen Ola. This battle raged on until the stretch run.
But the 1800-meter distance took its toll on the Melaine Habla stalwart as Jaguar dug deep into his abilities and blew that resistance away. Third place went to La Trouppei while Secretary took fourth.
Time of the race was 1:51.6 with clips of 13’-24-23’-23’-27.
On hand to receive his owner’s trophy was Cong. Arroyo himself along with Jaguar’s trainer Dante Salazar and jockey Jeff Zarate who received their respective trophies. Breeder Joseph Dyhengco was represented by former jockey and trainer Ariel Dator.
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairman of the Committee on Races Arnel Casas congratulated the winners and acknowledged their partnership with Philracom in bringing top-notch racing for the public.
Philracom chairman Reli de Leon, for his part, stressed that bigger events are still in their pipeline.
“First of all, congratulations to the connections of Jaguar for winning the Grand Derby and showing the public a peek at the future of Philippine horseracing. Don’t forget that 29 October we will be having the Philracom-PCSO Silver Cup then in December the Presidential Gold Cup,” De Leon said.
