CARMONA, Cavite ˗ Mommy Caring used an explosive start and ruled the 2021 PHILRACOM-Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Stakes Race with relative ease at San Lazaro Leisure Park on Sunday.
The progeny of Striding Ahead and On A Mission and bred by the Esguerra Farm and Stud of businessman Hermie Esguerra covered the 1,600-meter race in 1:41.9 (24'-24'-24'-28) to handily claim the P300,000 top purse for owner James Anthony Rabano.
"Inasahan ko na kami ang mananalo," said jockey Lester de Jesus who personally requested that Mommy Caring would be the last to enter the gates before the gunstart. "Mabisyo siya kaya talagang ni-request ko na huli siyang papasok."
It was a formula that worked to near perfection as the three-year-old horse came out strongly from gate No. 4 and never let go of the pole position, leading by two lengths heading into the far turn and by three through the homestretch.
"Born sprinter talaga at kampante siya na ang laro niya nasa unahan," said trainer Ramon Nartea, with this triumph reminiscent of Mommy Caring's victory in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office-sponsored 3YO Maiden Stakes back in September. "Sigurado kaming walang mauuna sa kanya, so importante lang sa amin na i-keep niya yung pace at wag lang hayaang humangos."
Luke Skywalker staged a late rally and placed second worth P100,000 to the owner, while Tocque Bell settled third for P50,000.
Money Changer, Arrabiata, and Roll Da Dice wound up fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively, to get their shares in the P500,000 guaranteed pot.
The stakes race is for the benefit of the PSA, the oldest media organization in the Philippines which includes sports editors and sportswriters from the country's leading broadsheets, tabloids, and online media, as it continues to extend assistance to its members in need and those impacted by the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The PSA leadership extended its gratitude to the Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM) for making this event possible, with PHILRACOM chairman Aurelio "Reli" de Leon vowing to make the stakes race an annual event for the horse racing public.