Basheirrou hopes to become the lucky 13th as he bids to join the elite club of champions when the Philippine Racing Commission stages the third leg of the fabled event on Sunday, July 24, at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.
The Rancho Sta. Rosa three-year-old stalwart by Brigand out of Allemeuse is expected to be the odds on favorite after taking the first two legs in impressive fashion in a lean but mean field of seven in the 2000m tester.
Partnered anew with regular rider Kelvin "The Genius Rider" Abobo, Basheirrou will be breaking from stall No. 5 which could be to the colt's liking as this could have him avoid being crowded at the start due to his quickness out of the gate.
Trying to play spoiler to the "three-peat" will be first leg second placer Jungkook (Low Profile-Liquid Oxygen) of Joey Sevilla whose stayer style of racing could benefit from the added distance and Radio Bell (Radioactive Love by Sakima) from the Bell Racing Stable which showed to the public his lung power in his second leg runner-up finish.
Not to be discounted are Brother Son (Keen Ice-Our Deb On Air) from Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr.'s stable and half-brother to 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike and his stable-mate Charm Campaign (Ultimate Goal out of Shadow of the Moon), Juvenile Stakes Series leg winner Gomezian (another Sakima progeny this time out of Hot Yoga) of Freddie Santos and Enigma Uno (Brigand-Betty H) from the Running Rich Racing Stables.
A total of P3.5 million will be at stake in the said race with P2.1 million going to the victor and a handsome Ramon Orlina trophy to go along with it.
More than that, a bonus of P2 million and a very elegant Triple Crown Champions' trophy awaits Basheirrou's connections should he complete the sweep.
The red letter day will also feature the third leg of the Hopeful Stakes where six game gallopers will try to outdo one another over the same distance of 2000m. The field consists of Portsalt, Kaboom, Eazacky, Pharaoh's Fairy, Bocaue Rivertown and Cupid Song which will vie for the P900-thousand top prize.
While the third leg of the 3YO Locally Bred Stakes will have nine speedsters testing their mettle over the 1 & 1/4 mile distance namely Full Combat Order, Thermodynamics, Lauriatisimo, Winged Heart, Victorious Princess, coupled runners Queen Louise and King Hans, Saoirse, and Colony Bell.
The day is expected to draw full support from the racing public as the Winner Take All carry over amounting to P501,636.70 will be disputed during the card.
"This will surely be another day of racing the public will enjoy with the Triple Crown feat on the line, not to mention the WTA carry-over," Philracom Chairman Reli de Leon said.