IT’S two down, one to go for Bashierrou.

Bashierrou went one step closer to becoming only the 13th Philippine Triple Crown champion by taking the second jewel last Sunday at the Metro Manila Turf Club clocking 1:51 for the 1800-meter distance with quarters of 14-23-24-23-27 over a game Radio Bell.

The Rancho Sta. Rosa-owned offspring by Brigand out of Allemeuse bred by Ms. Melaine Habla took the lead as the gates opened and never looked back adding P2.1-million to his earnings and that of his connections.

Kelvin B. Abobo, dubbed the Genius Rider of local racing, said: “Siyempre yung added 200 meters as compared sa first leg malaking diperensiya yun. Lalo na sa amin kasi sprinter kami. So, binago lang namin yung preparasiyon namin sa kanya.”

When asked about the prospects of sweeping the TC, Abobo added, “Masayang-masaya lahat kami. Alam naman po natin na maka-isang leg lang ay mahirap na. Pero ito kami at nakaka-dalawa na. Hopefully, makuha namin yung ikatlo.”

Completing the top six finishers were Jungkook, Brother Son, Gomezian and Enigma Uno.

The Benhur Abalos owned and bred Charm Campaign (Ultimate Goal out of Shadow of the Moon) did not disappoint her backers as she took home the Hopeful Stakes and the P900-thousand that goes with the victory.

The bay filly, ridden by Jesse “Midas Touch” Guce, made her move at the half-mile pole and went on to finish the 1800-meter race with a time of 1:53.4 (14-24-25-23′-27) aboout three lengths ahead of Lauriatisimo.

Guce stated: “Nung nakita kong hindi ganun katulin yung pace ng karera at marami pa yung sakay ko kaya tinipid pa siya. ang kagandahan po nun, naipwesto ko ng maganda naging pwesto ko ng hindi nahihirapan yung kabayo ko.”

Longest shot of the race Pharaoh’s Fairy pulled off a surprise victory in the 2022 3YO Locally Bred Stakes in the process bagging the P600, 000 top prize that goes with it.

Besting seven other runners, the Charge Now out of Dajorca prodigy stopped the clock at 1:54.2 (14-23′-24′-24-28′) and still won by around four lengths.

“Pagdating sa derecho, nakuha ko na yung harap. Nung malapit na mag-meta at wala pang nakakalapit, sabi ko nanalo na,” jockey Oneal Cortez said of his journey.

Beneficiary for the prize of the day in the Hopeful Stakes was Sto. Nino de Malolos Foundation Incorporated. While in the 3YO Stakes, the beneficiary was the PNPA Tagapaglingkod Class 87 Alumni Assocation.

“With one leg to go, everyone will be excited to see if Bashierrou will go all the way to become the next Triple Crown champion. That will happen come July at the Santa Ana Park in Naic over the lung-busting distance of 2000-meters,” said Philracom chairman Reli de Leon.

Meanwhile, a lucky horse racing bettor from Tondo hit the jackpot in last Thursday’s San Lazaro Business and Leisure Park’s racing.

His P288 investment in the lone Winner Take All event gave him a whopping P2,123,280.60 after picking all seven winners in the card.

This is the third biggest WTA pot to be won this year by a lone ticket. The highest was recorded last Feb. 20 worth more than P4.5-million with the second highest at more than P3-million last March.

The lucky punter picked the combination Work from Home, Chloespirit, Big Bertha, Double Rick, O Sole Mio, Beli Bell and Markees Angel.

Key to the one winner feat was the victory of longest shot O Sole Mio in the fifth race.

Surprisingly, last Thursday’s Pick Six event did not produce a winner. That’s why there will be a carry-over in this event in the next SLLBP race schedule.

“This goes to show that one does not have to place a big investment to win millions in horse racing. I am just happy for all those big winners. May we have more bettors who win millions out of a small capital,” said De Leon.

“As I’ve always said to everyone, bet only your excess money. Horseracing is a sport patronized by responsible people globally. Just enjoy the thrilling races just like watching a movie with a little bet.”