Dec. 27, 2008 –A kaleidoscope of colors was the backdrop for the annual Christmas second day races on Friday at the Randall "Doc" James racetrack, as the largest crowd of the year showed up for what turned out to be an exciting eleven-race card. Some folks showed up just to socialize and see old friends visiting from up north, but the majority were there for the big race card and to cheer on their favorite thoroughbred.
In the three featured races on the card, Carse, Miners Bid and Fantastic Four were all easy winners, with Miners Bid equaling the track with his victory. This of course sets him on a collision course with Carse for early next year.
Carse, the Virgin Islands’ champion thoroughbred, thrilled his fans by easily cruising to a seven-length victory in the Native Rhythm Classic. With regular jockey Elmo "Majal" Barnes in the irons, Carse negotiated the 1 1/16 mile race in a not too shabby time of 1:43.4. He was followed by Silver Horn of St. Thomas with jockey Junior Inirio in second and Gallego was third with jockey Christian Soto in the irons.
It was an even break at the gate but by the time the horses got to the grandstand for the first time Carse was a length in front. From that point on everyone at the track and listening by radio knew that the race was now for second place.
By the time the field got to the back stretch the lead was four lengths and increasing with just about every stride. Barnes never had to show his horse the whip as Carse totally outclassed the field for his eighth win in a row. A race momentarily appeared to develop between Gallego and Silver Horn for second around the far turn, but in the end Silver Horn prove to be a little better and was able to draw away for a second place finish.
"We feel so blessed to have Carse," said owner Velmar Dunbar. "He could have gone anywhere, but we ended up with him. He was even offered to people in St. Thomas but nobody wanted him so he ended up with us. I guess this means that this is where he belongs."
Asked what was next for his grey speedster, trainer Keno Walcott said, "Well we will have to wait and see who comes next year. But whoever comes he will be ready."
In the Diageo USVI Sprint Classic, the days tenth race, Miners Bid continued on a collision course with Carse as he won for the second time in as many starts in the territory. This time he won impressively by three lengths over Eltish Emerald, and he also equaled the track record of 1:10.1 set by Wasatch in 2001. Green Sand led by a neck at the five furlongs marker, but Miners Bid took the lead at the four furlongs pole and did not look back. With Kevin Krigger in the irons, Miners Bid turned back all challengers for the lead before opening up on the field in the stretch to win going away. Eltish Emerald and jockey Soto closed well for second, while Black Jack Bob and jockey Alberto Ojeda came from last place to overtake Green Sand for third. When ask what was next for Miners Bid, trainer Warren Jacobs’ uttered one word: "Carse."
The Hovensa Cup, the eight race on the card, for native bred horses was no contest as Fantastic Four totally dominated the field to win by eight lengths at the wire. Krigger had his whip put away for the entire race as Fantastic Four win in a gallop. Emerald Star with Soto aboard ran well to finish second, and Fightforyourrights with Alphonso Claudio aboard was able to hold off the late charging King David for third. Fantastic Four negotiated the 1 1/8 miles distance in a time of 1:57 flat.
The rest of the day’s results, with jockeys:
Race 1, 5 F Classes N-6
Time: 1:02.3
1. Dana’s Express, Christian Soto
2. A’Wi, Kevin Krigger
3. Bottom Belly, Winston Hurst
Race 2, 7 ½ F Class N-5
Time: 1:38.3
1. Tristitch, Elmo Barnes
2. Them Ah Talk, Alphonso Claudio
3. Prince Crystal, Christian Soto
Race 3, 1 M Class M/F & I-6
Time: 1:38.3
1. Look up Look up, Jesus Guadelupe
2. Beautiful Move, Kevin Krigger
3. Wild Wind, Jesus Santiago
Race 4, 11/16M Class I-5
Time: 1:46.4
1. PR General, Angel Viera
2. Pintaylor, Marlon Edwin
3. Tulsa Boy, Alberto Ojeda
Race 5, 7 1/2 F Classes I-4 & I-5
Time: 1:32.4
1. Halos Horn, Kevin Krigger
2. Guiltless, Jesus Guadelupe
3. Mi Jesuse, Elmo Barnes
Race 6, 1 M M&F
Time: 1:40.3
1. Get Ready Now, Kevin Krigger
2. Summertime Babe, Christian Soto
3. Amazing Cat, Angel Viera
Race 7, 1M Open Race
Time: 1:39
1. Man the Torpedoes, Junior Inirio
2. Puerto Rican Emblem, Christian Soto
3. Formally Cat, Elmo Barnes
Race 11, 5 F N-6 (First time starters)
Time: 1:04.2
1. Something Else Special
2. Express to Cali
3. Halo’s Return
