Overwhelming favorite and defending champion Boss Emong overcame everything the opposition threw at him in bagging anew the 2023 Gran Copa de Manila Division I at the MetroTurf in Malvar, Batangas.

The Kennedy Morales owned grey seven-year-old by Dance City out of Chica Una and bred by Antonio “Tony” Tan Jr. didn’t waste time jumping out of the gate in the lead pushed to the limit by the persistent hounding of Life Gets Better for the first 1000m of the mile race.

Once Life Gets Better was out of it, it was Engr. Jun Sevilla’s Don Julio’s (Adios Reality-Guatemala) turn to try and snatch the victory with his closing drive. But the Ernesto “Boy Gare” Roxas-trained and Jefril T. Zarate-mounted champ simply never gave up stiridng to a three-quarter length win relegating Don Julio to a runner-up finish.

Third went to Jungkook (Low Profile-Liquid Oxygen) and fourth came Magtotobetsy (Zap out of Will Soon).

The 1:39 flat with quarters of 25-22′-24-27 for the mile distance was enough to bag P600-thousand for Boss Emong’s connections.

In stark contrast, it was Gran Copa de Manila Division II winner Cluster (Hakassan-Local Color)owned Jun Sevilla and bred by Joseph Duhengco which was doing the hounding on pace-setter Sky Story up front before taking charge of the race in the last 600 meters holding off DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos’ Prime Billing by one length at the wire.

Third place was taken by Badboy MJ and fourth went to Boat Buying.

Time of race was 1:40.6 with clips of 25′-23′-23′-28.

The day’s festivities was graced by the Honorable Mayor of Manila, Honey Lacuna-Pangan who was the honoree of the main event, Vice-Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, former Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Third District Congressman Atty. Joel Chua and Councilors of Manila’s six districts.

“This was a collaborative effort between the city government of Manila and the Philracom to make this event a very successful one. Nandito din po yung ating mga city government officials, mga department heads, mga barangay officials who came here all the way from Manila just to support the culminating event in celebration of our city’s day,” Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said.

For his part, former Manila Mayor Domagoso (for whom the Gran Copa Division II was held in honor of) said, “Congratulations to the bayang karerista at naibabalik na ang taon-taong Gran Copa de Manila na inaabangan ever since kahit nung bata ako. I’m proud of Mayor Honey Lacuna na naibalik itong celebration na ito.”

“It was a great day of racing and congratulations not only to the Division I and II victors, but to all race winners for the day. The Philracom’s special thanks goes to Mayor Lacuna-Pangan, Vice-Mayor Nieto, former Mayor Domagoso and to all the City of Manila officials that made this celebration a grand spectacle for the racing fans,” Philarcom Chairman Reli de Leon said.