March 30, 2008 — With the stands filled from one end to the other, St. Thomas' newly renovated Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack was a hit Sunday with residents and even Gov. John deJongh Jr.
"Horse racing is a tradition within the Virgin Islands, and it brings a lot of families together," deJongh said before the start of Sunday's pre-Carnival races. "We now have the covering over the stands, we have a lot of kids and families here, and I think everyone is happy and enjoying themselves. And this is just the beginning of the improvements we want to do here at Clinton Phipps, for the horsemen and for the community."
While fans couldn't stop raving about the improvements at the track — pushed through by St. Thomas-St. John Horse Owner's Association President Lauritz David — herds of spectators got up to take a closer look at two of St. Thomas' top racehorses battling it out in the feature race of the day against Bird Charm, the newcomer from Miami.
As the horses broke from the gate, all three remained relatively close until around the second bend and down the second stretch, as they battled it out for the lead. As they made the bend, Bird Charm took a slight lead over Kentucky Kris, while Natural Phenomenon started to fall a bit behind. Coming into the final bend, it was a fight between Kentucky Kris and Bird Charm, while Natural Phenomenon fell pretty much out of contention. Down the final stretch, Kentucky Kris and Bird Charm's jockeys were asking their horses for everything they had left in the tank, but it was Bird Charm who beat Kentucky Kris by a head, with a time of 1:37:3.
"I knew he was the best," Bird Charm's trainer Rashawn Creque said after the race. "I told the jockey not to worry too much during the race — I said, 'He's really good, he's well bred,' so I didn't have many other instructions. He's got a lot of class, so I knew he was going to take him (Kentucky Kris) to the wire."
The second feature of the day was a match race between St. Thomas' newest racing champion, Sir Pyy, and Sweet Grass Creek, making its debut. Sir Pyy took the race from pole to pole, pulling into the finish line with a time of 1:08:3.
"He was definitely ready for the challenge," Sir Pyy owner Calvin Thomas Sr. said after the race. "There was a lot of talk before the race, but we were hoping to, when we got to the gate, get a clean break and go all the way. And that's what we did — the other horse was never a threat to us."
Other race winners:
First race: Vocal Defense (winner by a time of 1:11:1), followed by Ocean Port and Kimsurob.
Second race: Prayerful (winner with a time of 1:46:2), followed by Goof Sims and Mi Jesuse.
Third race: Song of Myself (winner with a time of 1:10:2), followed by Rubiano's Jewel and Brass Flash.
Fourth race: Sauve Smile (winner with a time of 1:26:1), followed by Overpayment and Man the Torpedoes.
Fifth race: She's Got the Helm (winner with a time of 1:46 flat), followed by Mystery Time and Runaway Vow.
Eighth race: Vivid Cat (with a time of 1:38:4), followed by Braheem and Tortola's Captain Slew.
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