Sunday’s Thanksgiving Races at the Randall “Doc” James Race Track didn’t disappoint, and the fans can thank TRAXCO and the Racing Commission for such a competitive card. In two of the three most anticipated races, the favorites had to work hard to reach the winner’s circle.
One of those tough victories went to Lost River in the day’s feature race, the seven-furlong Turkey Ball Dash, where Lost River, with Junior Inirio in the irons, had to come from last to just nip newcomer Questionable Sky at the wire, in a time of 1:26.2.
Questionable Sky, making his debut on the big island, gave a good account of himself and should be one to watch for as he gets more acclimated to the territory’s racing surfaces. Green Sand, with jockey Angel Viera aboard, held on for third.
As expected an early speed duel developed between Green Sand and Dashing Pirate, with Big Thunder Reflec sitting just behind. The two frontrunners would battle down the backstretch, setting fractions that most racing fans knew would be their undoing.
As they rounded the far turn, Questionable Sky kicked it into high gear and blew by the two frontrunners, opening up a two-lengths lead by the time they reached the top of the stretch. However, while the new leader was making his run to the front, Lost River also got rolling from the back of the pack and was coming like a runaway freight train.
Lost River collared Questionable Sky in mid-stretch and a stretch battle for the ages then ensued—to the delight of the approving crowd. As they neared the wire, they were still dead even, but in the last few strides Lost River was able to gain the advantage and the victory.
In race seven, the second leg of the Native Triple Crown, Prince Krystal, with his late closing style, was able to run by Emerald Star and Creation Rebel in the stretch for a two-length victory. Prince Krystal, ridden by Jesus Guadelupe, negotiated the 1-1/16-miles distance in a time of 1:51.1. Emerald Star, with jockey Kerwin John, was second; followed by Creation Rebel in third.
Big Kate continued her dominance in the mares and fillies division on St. Croix with yet another impressive victory in the seven-and-a-half-furlongs sixth race (1:34.1). Ridden by regular jockey Christian Soto, Big Kate took the lead around the club turn and from that point on it was a race for second. Leggy Blonde, with jockey Junior Inirio, who raced in mid-pack for most of the encounter, was able to close for second. Summertime Babe, with jockey Alberto Ojeda, was a clear third.
With no one left on St. Croix to beat, trainer David Brady is now setting his sights on the two big mares on St. Thomas: Bonnie Bonita and Bold Cleo.
The rest of the day’s results are as follows:
Race 1 (4 ½ F Class H, Jockey)
Time: 58.4
1. Outta Hand, Alphonso Claudio
2. Emerald Princess, Miguel Sanchez
3. Juanito, Winston Hurst
Race 2 (5 F Class N-6, Jockey)
Time: 1:02.1
1. Tru Gold, Elmo Barnes
2. Dinero, Kerwin John
3. From Emeralds to Rubies, Winston Hurst
Race 3 (6 F Class I-3, 4&5, Jockey)
Time: 1:14.4
1. YIMC Sword, Kevin Krigger
2. Destiny’s Arrival, Elmo Barnes
3. Honey Mustard Time, Miguel Sanchez
Race 4 (7 ½ F Class I-3&4, Jockey)
Time: 1:33.1
1. Dixie Find, Miguel Sanchez
2. Heats on Fire, Kerwin John
3. Mi Jesus, Elmo Barnes
Race 5 (1 M Class I-2&3, Jockey)
Time: 1:41.1
1. Little Boy Brew, Junior Inirio
2. Black Jack Bob, Kerwin John
3. Meeses to Pieces, Kevin Krigger
Race 9 (1M Class I-5, Jockey)
Time: 1:41
1. El Rollo, Junior Inirio
2. Russian Way, Kerwin John
3. Big Thunder Reflec, Alphonso Claudio
