MANILA, Philippines - Island-born Fierce Fighter heads a big 13-horse field vying in the PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office) Diamond anniversary stakes race on Saturday at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.
To be ridden by regular partner Patti Dilema, the four-year-old Fierce Fighter sets out for the long 1800-meter event carrying the momentum of a surprising victory in the Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. Cup last Sunday.
The daughter of By Officer and Sevasmoke, responding well under the heavy whipping of Dilema, rallied from as far back as 20 meters to beat Weder Weder Lang by half-a-length and superhorse Ibarra by a length in the 2000-meter race to clinch the biggest and richest win in her career.
Ranged against Fierce Fighter in the PCSO run which offers P600,000 to the winner are Antiress, My Hope, Fond Embrace, Mooney Money, Alexandrina, Holy Ridge, Batang Tundo, Tiwi Magic, Multiply, Lim Expensive Toys, Ziras and Miss Elliot.
This serves as one of the big events of the MARHO (Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners) Jade racing festival which culminates this Sunday with six special stakes races highlighting a 13-race program.
“The PCSO is proud to be a part of this event and a partner of the thoroughbred racing industry for many decades. It is part of our mandate to support the sport of horse racing,” said PCSO chairman Sergio Valencia.
According to PCSO Committee on Races Jose Malang, the other prizes are P225,000 for second, P125,000 for third and P50,000 for fourth.
This will be the second big event to be staged under the patronage of the government agency. Next week, it will hold the 37th Presidential Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious in the racing calendar, which is featuring six top-rated horses led by Don Enrico and Ibarra.
Starting off as a very far fourth choice in the daily double betting, Fierce Fighter started her torrid rally leaving the backstretch, moved within striking distance of the pacesetters with 350 meters to go and then outlasted Weder Weder Lang and Ibarra in the interesting homestretch battle.
The win was worth P1,2 million for the owner of Fierce Fighter.