MANILA, Philippines — Triple Crown winner Morally (Motown-Street Rally by Street Sense) overcame a poor start and still handily beat second placer Tiz the Moon for the Prince Cup crown in thundering thoroughbred action at the MMTCI Malvar racetrack Sunday.
Expertly handed by star jockey Mark Alvarez, Morally, owned by G.R. Gaerlan and trained by Ernesto Roxas, registered a time of 24’22’24’ 27’ 1:38.4 for the 1,600-meter race.
On the King’s Gold Cup, Varatti (Into Mischief-Artemis by Empire Maker) repeated his second-leg triumph, sustaining his winning ways and delivering the P7-million top prize to owner James Rabano.
The Ramon Nartea-trained Varatti negotiated the one-mile race with a fast time of 24 22’ 23 26’ 1:36 with jockey Jeff Zarate on top.
Varatti stayed behind first-leg winner Sherbet Fountain in the early goings before making the move, darting through to the championship.
Also held were the inaugural memorial races for the late MMTCI founder Dr. Norberto Quisumbing. The first trophy race was won by Caloocan Zap (JD Flores) winning over Modern Stroke and California King. The second trophy race was later won by imported galloper Ace of Diamonds (JM Estorque) over Brichton and Blue Mind Theory.
The Prince Cup and Kings Gold Cup were conceived by MMTCI chairman and CEO Atty. Narciso Morales to rekindle public interest and stimulate growth in the horseracing sector.