April 10, 2008 — Before Lionel Roberts, Clinton Phipps and Randall "Doc" James, horse racing was a staple in V.I. history, and Horse Owner's Association President Lauritz David is trying to get it back on track in the territory as the "sport of kings."
David has long had horse racing in his blood. From his grandfather to his uncle, the love of breeding and racing horses has also pushed David to advocate on behalf of all horse owners in the St. Thomas-St. John district. David was one of the original owners of Bovoni Stables, when it first found its footing on St. Thomas, and pursued his love of racing after attending college on the mainland.
"When I went to California for school I used to go to the Santa Anita Racetrack, and used to just hang around over there and learn about all aspects of horse racing — from the business aspect to the people that were involved," David says. "I took seminars about the horse-racing business and attended symposiums on the subject of handicapping, so I kind of have a well-rounded view of the sport."
Local horse owners noticed David's dedication to the sport, and after his return to the territory the group voted him in as president of the St. Thomas-St. John Horse Owners Association in November 2005.
"At that time, the horse-racing industry in the district was in disarray," he says. "The track on St. Thomas was being called a cow pasture by the senators and Suffering Downs by the horse men. So the owners had an election and voted me in to take over their presidency — I guess they figured I could have turned it around."
But the road to fixing the Clinton Phipps Racetrack wasn't easy — in fact, David says it was paved with challenges. In addition to the dilapidated condition of the track, it was hard finding funding for repairs, and David says he often got the cold shoulder from government officials.
"A lot of times you have to deal with different administrations, different senators in the Legislature, and it comes into political confusion, which also gives you a lot of pulling and tossing, because everyone wants recognition instead of just doing good," he says.
Annual pre-Carnival and Carnival races — both longstanding traditions in the territory — are events that should be added to St. Thomas' overall Carnival schedule, David says.
A $2.5 million appropriation recently passed by senators for repairs to the track has come in handy, he says. While horse owners still have to generate their own money for racing purses — often through fund raisers, sponsors and a contract with St. Thomas' Pony Bar for simulcasting — the $2.5 million has helped to cover the cost of certain improvements to Clinton Phipps, including covering the bleachers, he says.
Despite all the political maneuvering — and the "headaches" that come with the position — David's hard work recently yielded the biggest turnout in recent memory, with hundreds of residents gathered on the sidelines of Clinton Phipps for last month's pre-Carnival races. Officers from the V.I Police Department's Special Operations Bureau also played a big role in making the event as safe as possible, he says.
"Because of their efforts, the track is the safest place for anyone in the Virgin Islands to go and enjoy themselves," David says. "And that's why the families are coming out more now, and I feel proud to know that."
Looking to the future, David thinks horse racing in the territory can reach the level of internationally recognized events such as the Kentucky Derby or even Suffolk Downs, where fans come from all over the world on race days. He also expressed interest in bringing horses in from other Caribbean nations, such as Jamaica, but says that would require clearance from Congress.
"Horse racing can benefit government, horse owners, promoters and — now more than ever — can benefit the public of the Virgin Islands and the racing fans," David says. "It's an outlet for them to enjoy themselves, but it definitely has to be run correctly."
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
