Boss Emong beats Big Lagoon in tight finish  

MANILA, Philippines — Boss Emong proved to be the boss among his peers, edging Big Lagoon in a neck-and-neck finish in the 2022 Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) Gran Copa de Manila at the San Lazaro Business and Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Owned by Kennedy Morales and bred by Tony Tan, the formidable bet by the Dance City out of Chica Una seized the lead in the last 600 meters before fending off a late hurrah by Big Lagoon heading home.

Boss Emong, with premier jockey Jeffril Zarate on the saddle, clocked 1:40.8 with quarters of 23’-24’-26’-26’ in the thrilling triumph in the 1,600-meter race worth P600,000 for the owner.

Robin Hood and Magtotobetsky came in third and fourth, respectively.

“Kinailangan ko pang tulungan yung sakay ko sa alisan para mai-puwesto ng maganda si Emong dahil alam ko na susubukan sirain ng mga kalaban yung pace ng karera. Siguro pumasok na din yung experience ko at hindi ako nataranta sa ganung sitwasyon,” said Zarate as Boss Emong became the most dominant horse in local racing, having ruled earlier the Philracom Chairman’s Cup last month.

In the Philracom Philippine Sports Association (PSA) Cup, Felizardo “Jun” Sevilla Jr.’s Time For Glory (by Not This Time out of Glorified) pulled off a stunning upset of a bevy of heavy favorites.

Time of Glory trailed at fourth until the last turn where it shifted the favor all the way to a runaway win with a time of 1:39.4 (24’-23’-25’-27’).

Shastaloo, Super Ninja and Truly Ponti finished behind the winner.

“With the overwhelming success of today’s races, we will make every effort to hold this race meet every year. Congratulations to all the winners,” said Philracom Chairman Reli de Leon following a successful “Araw ng Maynila Racing Festival” in celebration of the capital’s 451st foundation.

Meanwhile, John Ericson Avelino’s Full Combat Order ruled the Philracom Gran Copa de Manila Division 2.

while Peter Limjoco’s My Prancealot (Sir Prancealot-Tricolore) won the Philracom National Press Club Cup.