Sunday’s 3rd Leg of the Philracom 2YO Juvenile Stakes Race, is shaping up as a battle between the two highly promising filles Brown Tiger (Top Billing USA), and Isa Bell (Union Bell Phi). The race to be run over 1400 meters, will see the unbeaten Brown Tiger take on Isa Bell in what will be a highly anticipated clash for Bayang Karerista.
Brown Tiger, owned by Atty. Benjamin Abalos Jr and prepared by Claudio Angeles, has simply destroyed her rivals in her two runs to date, winning by a conservative ten lengths on each occasion under regular rider Patty Dilema. Her 2nd Leg Juvenile Stakes (1400m) win was nothing short of an embarrassment for her rivals, the second placed King Of War (Safe In The USA), and Lady Outlaw (Tin Drum USA). King Of War, will go around in Sunday’s event chasing after some more minor prize money, and could only loom as a possible place hope on what we have seen so far.
Isa Bell, was not let out of second gear by Jonathan Hernandez, in her debut run on November 16, in the 30th Marho 2YO Juvenile Fillies race over 1400 meters, beating Jaw Dropping (Farz Usa), and Georgia (He’s Had Enough USA). The same applied in Isa Bell’s only other outing a Vicious Trial over 1200 meters on October 16, when she just donkey licked her opposition. Jonathan Hernandez again takes the ride this Sunday for trainer Donato Sordan.
The Bell Racing Stable, would have no doubt been devastated by the enforced early retirement of their outstanding galloper Union Bell (Union Rags USA), in 2022, now, here we are just three years later with the very first foal of Union Bell, out of the USA mare Dr Fager’s Girl, emerging as a future star.
Isa Bell’s win time over the 1400 meters was 1.25 flat, whilst Brown Tigers run time was 1.25.4. The sectionals comparison showed Isa Bell going quicker in the third quarter 23 to 24, with Brown Tiger slipping home in 25, against Isa Bell’s last quarter of 26 seconds. Although It’s hard trying to line up times over two different tracks and on different race surfaces, in my experience time has always been a very relevant guide regardless.
Both Isa Bell and Brown Tiger have dazzling speed out of the gates, and will not doubt shadow each other in running; the next best in the race is the bay colt Black Eagle (Pugad Lawin). Prepared by Jason Sordan, Black Eagle gave his rivals no chance on debut in the 30th Marho 2YO Colt’s race over 1400 meters on November 16, under jockey O P Cortez in a run time of 1.25.8.
Sunday’s nine event card is a prelude to the Philippine Jockey Clubs mid-December race week, that will culminate with the running of the Presidential Gold Cup on Sunday December 14, carrying record prize money of P15,000,000.