BIG Lagoon surprised everyone by going hoof-to-hoof from the get-go, which is not his usual style of running, with defending champion Boss Emong in bagging the 2023 Philracom Commissioners’ Cup at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas.

At the last quarter Boss Emong sprinted to the lead with the bayang karerista thinking that the eventual winner, which was boxed in, was out of it all and the threat was to come from Gomezian, but Big Lagoon proved them wrong.

For as they hit the stretch, multi-titled jockey John Alvin Guce brought his mount from off the rail and Big Lagoon responded with his most-feared stretch run overcoming the five length difference managing to cross the wire first still by three lengths over Boss Emong with Gomezian figuring third and Super Swerte finishing fourth.

Big Lagoon’s connections pocketed the P1.5-million first prize, while dethroned champ Boss Emong had to contend with P562,500. P312,500 went to Gomezian for the third place effort and P125,000 went to Super Swerte.

The race was clocked at 1:39.2 for the mile with quarters of 24′-23-23-28′.

During last Saturday’s action, Robin Hood made a charge to the front in the last 400 meters on the way to taking home the Commissioner’s Cup Division II honors clocking 1:39.2 (25′-23-23′-27) for the 1600-meter journey. Second placing went to Fortissimo, third to Blackburn and fourth to Shining Vic.

In the Commissioners’ Cup Division III, Magtotobetsky took full advantage of an opening at the rail to launch an all-out drive for the win and snatch the plum by a convincing five lengths over stablemate Moderne Cong.

A further six lengths behind was Mommy Caring taking third ahead of All Too Easy which placed fourth with Magna Cum Laude coming in fifth.

Magtotobetsky’s mile was recorded at 1:39 over clips of 25-23′-23′-27.

This was the first instance that one trainer, the undisputed “King of Trainers” Ruben S. Tupas conditioned the winners of all three divisions.

When asked how it feels to be the first to achieve such a feat, Tupas in his usual humble self said, “Siyempre, proud tayo at nakalusot yung Division I, II and III ko.”

“It was a great weekend of racing here at Metroturf and congratulations to the winners of all three divisions. Especially to Ruben Tupas for achieving a grand slam of all three,” Philracom Chairman Reli de Leon said.

He added, “I’m expecting these horses will be deep in preparation for the next leg of the Triple Cup after a brief rest, namely the Philracom Classic in a month or so.”