TRAXCO has outdone itself once again with a wonderfully matched nine-race card for this Sunday’s races at the Randall "Doc" James Race Track.
Three of these races could easily get top billing on the card, but the one with the slight edge has to be the promoters’ selected seventh race.
Five top thoroughbred racers will go to the poll in this one with all eyes on the highly touted newcomer, Berberis, as well as the return of former V.I. Champ, Carse, from the injury list.
Berberis is 3 for 7 in 2011 and has been out of the money just once, finishing in second place three times to go with his three wins. He destroyed a field of six in a $51,000 allowance race on April 30, 2011 by almost seven lengths, negotiating the seven-furlong distance in blistering 1:22.90, so his handlers’ high expectations are well justified.
Carse was easily one of the best racehorses to have graced our shores in recent times before being sidelined by injuries. He was consistently clocked in 1:36 plus going one mile, a feat no other thoroughbreds have been able to match. These two, however, will have their hands full with in-form, current St. Croix champ Expect Smoke, who has emerged as a star on the rise after a tough win in the featured Memorial Day Classic and could very well end up in the winner’s circle on Sunday.
The other two entries, Spanish Market and Groom’s Man, will be facing a tall order in their bid to upset the top three. However Groom’s has a lot of speed and if left to relax on the front end could, although highly unlikely, possibly steal this one. Spanish Market has some talent and has won some good races in Puerto Rico, but the 6-year-old has yet to showcased that talent in the Virgin Islands.
The rest of the day’s card:
Race 1 N-6 5Furlongs $3,000
1. El Shaddai (Debut) 114
2. Road AKA Officer 117
3. Joe boss 116
4. Omayra’s Pride 114
5. Hanna’s Boss (Debut) 114
6. Deuce’s Halo 116
Race 2 Class I-5(M/F) & I-6(C/G) 7 F $3,200
1. Honey Mustard Time 116
2. ITSMIDAS 118
3. Thanks McGiverin 117
4. Separate Bill 116
5. Pyrite Shelby 116
6. M J Kailahsafe 114
Race 3 Class I-5-6 7 ½ F $3,600
1. Wekiva Trail 118
2. Halo Boudreaux 118
3. Tulsa boy 116
4. Cool Light 115
5. According to Jesus 116
6. Neerly Nasty 114
7. Skip Ski 118
8. Big thunder Reflec 116
Race 4 Class I-4-5 C/G 7 ½ F $3,700
1. Salty Glider 114
2. Bruno’s burst 117
3. A Bit Of Madness(Debut) 119
4. Full House Project 114
5. Ala Cat 114
6. RB’s Agenda 117
7. San Viron 114
Race 5 Class I-1-2-3 M/F 1 Mile $4,000
1. Prodefrere 116
2. Whoshotthesheriff 119
3. Finish in Style 121
4. Rasta Queen 114
5. Leggy Blonde 118
Race 6 Class N-4-5-C/G & M/F $3,800
1. Midnight Indictment
1A. Gold Finger 117
2. Papa Birin 116
3. Express To Cali 118
4. Kings of Kings 117
5. Super Pop 117
6. Miss Kosi 114
7. Midnight Approval 117
Race 7 Class I-2-3-4 C/G 1-1/16 Miles $4,200
1. Temo’s Dream 116
2. Blackjack Bob 117
3. Eirie’s Run 117
4. Black Machine 114
5. Green Sand 117
6. Puerto Rican Emblem 117
Race 9 Class I-4-M/F 7 F $3,300
1. Destiny Arrival 117
2. Wonderifiamspecial 114
3. YIMC Sword 115
4. Sarasota May Bell 117
5. Paul’s Gift 117
