Businessman/sportsman Elmer de Leon’s (father of social media sensation and top-notch athlete Bea de Leon) Bell Racing Stable flag-bearer, far second choice Radio Bell stole the spotlight from Triple Crown sweep contender Basheirrou by emerging victorious in the third leg of the Philracom Triple Crown last Sunday at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.

Stopping the clock at a very impressive 2:07.6 (with quarters of 24-23′-25-26′-28′) over the 2000 meter distance, the Bell Racing Stable-bred Radio Bell by Sakima out of Radioactive Love riden by “Mr. Aerocool” Jonathan Hernandez waited for the opportune moment to make their move that would change the outcome of the race.

At the start, it was Gomezian and history-seeking Basheirrou engaging in a one-on-one battle to dictate the pace of the race with coupled runners Brother Son and Charm Campaign neatly placed in third and fourth, respectively. Radio Bell was tucked within striking distance in fifth.

It was at the half-mile pole that Hernandez sensed it was time to make a charge passing the stablemates at this point to take the third spot as the two front-runners never let up on each other.

And true enough, with 400 meters left, the chestnut filly grabbed the lead and blew the competition away by an imposing five length victory at the wire over Jungkook, Enigma Uno and Gomezian which came in second, third and fourth, respectively.

“After our impressive showing in the second leg, my team and I were confident that Radio Bell would have a better performance in the third leg. And true enough, paglampas ng medya-milya it was quite clear na amin na yung panalo,” Elmer de Leon said.

“Salamat sa bumubuo ng Bell Racing Stable team for the win. My trainer Donnie Sordan, our jockeys, the sotas, mga excercise riders and the rest who comprise the team. I am beside myself with joy for winning my first triple crown leg,” the Bell Racing top honcho added.

The win was worth a cool P2.1 million to the winning connections plus the Ramon Orlina trophy which goes along with it.

Jungkook’s posse took home P787,500 while Enigma Uno and Gomezian brought home P437,500 and P175,000, respectively.

Rancho Santa Rosa did not leave the day empty-handed as their grey colt Cupid Song (Cupid-Beautiful Song) ridden by Kelvin Abobo grabbed the spotlight by coming from last to first in the Hopeful Stakes with a time of 2:13.2 in the 2000 meter journey worth P900 thousand.

Runners-up finish went to Pharaoh’s Fairy, Eazacky and Bocaue Rivertown receiving P337,500, P187,500 and P75 thousand in that order.

Former jockey Renato “Egoy” Hipolito, Cupid Song’s trainer humbly said, “Yung naging instructions ko ay itakbo nyo yung karera niyo. Kung papalarin tayo at manalo, thank you. Kung hindi naman, thank you din. Basta ginawa natin ang best natin.”

Bell Racing Stable emerged as the day’s big winner when their Sakima out of Colony Crossing progeny, Colony Bell, snatched the 3YO Locally Bred Stakes in the process adding another P600 thousand to her earnings.

The 2:10 over 2000 meters (25-24′-25-28′) was simply too much for the rest of the field with Queen Louise snatching second (P200 thousand), Thermodynamics third (P100,000) and Victoriousprincess fourth (P50 thousand).

“Sa last 600 meters nakita ko na malaki na tsansa namin at nung pagsungaw ng rekta alam ko na na amin na yung panalo,” Colony Bell jockey Mark “Black Superman” Alvarez said.

“Congratulations to all the winners especially to the Bell Racing Stable for taking two out of the three high stakes events. I’d also like to thank the bayang karerista for their support in today’s exciting races,” Philracom top honcho Reli de Leon said.